Book of the Week (7/16/2018)

Critical Hours: Search & Rescue in the White Mountains by Sandy Stott (Lebanon, NH: UPNE, 2018).

A misread map, a sudden storm, a forgotten headlamp—and suddenly a leisurely hike turns into a treacherous endeavor. In the past decade, inexpensive but sophisticated navigation devices and mobile phones have led to alarming levels of overconfidence on the trail. Adding to this worrisome trend, the increasing popularity of ventures into mountainous terrain has led hikers seeking solitude—or an adrenaline rush—into increasingly remote or risky forays. Sandy Stott, the “Accidents” editor at the journal of the Appalachian Mountain Club, delivers both a history and a celebration of the search and rescue workers who save countless lives in the White Mountains—along with a plea for us not to take their steadfastness and bravery for granted. Filled with tales of astonishing courage and sobering tragedy, Critical Hours will appeal to outdoor enthusiasts and armchair adventurers alike. - Publisher's blurb.

Sandy will presenting her book at the following locations:

Thursday, July 19th, 2018 at 5:30 pm at Gibson's Bookstore in Concord, NH.
Saturday, July 21st, 2018 at 1:00 pm at Bayswater Books in Center Harbor, NH.

Ladybug Nominee

Hello Goodby Dog by Maria Gianferrari, illustrated by Patrice Barton (New York, NY : Roaring Brook Press, 2017)

Review From School Library Journal

PreS-Gr 2—Like most dogs, Moose loves "hello" and hates "goodbye." "Hello" is a ride in the car, a pat on the head, or a visit with her favorite people. "Goodbye" is a closed door and being alone. Moose loves "hello" most when it involves her favorite human, Zara. When Zara steers her wheelchair into her family's van, it means good-bye. Not for long. After all, one thing Moose loves almost as much as "hello" is being read to, and what better place to be read to than school? So Moose finds ways to get to school, much to the chagrin of the staff. Finally Zara gets the idea to have Moose certified as a therapy dog so she can say hello to the schoolchildren every day and help them read. The author's note explains the difference between therapy dogs, which help bolster the confidence of young readers, among other tasks, and service dogs, which require more specialized training. Sweet, skillfully rendered illustrations are clear, convey Moose's worldview, and depict a diverse group of people. Even the dog's expressions—forlorn when she is trapped behind the screen door, sheepish when she resists an order, triumphant when she finds her human again—are instantly recognizable and contribute to the impact of the story.

About Maria Gianferrari

Maria & Becca, Photo credit: Monogram Arts Photo.

Maria writes both fiction and nonfiction picture books from her sunny, book-lined study in northern Virginia, with dog, Becca as her muse. Maria’s debut picture book, Penny & Jelly: The School Show, illustrated by Thyra Heder, will be released on July 7^th, 2015 (HMH Books for Young Readers). A second Penny & Jelly book titled, Penny & Jelly Slumber Under the Stars, will be released in June 2016. Maria has five additional books forthcoming from Roaring Brook and Boyds Mills Presses as well as Aladdin Books for Young Readers in the coming years. To learn more about Maria, visit her website: mariagianferrari.com and on Facebook.

And you can visit Penny & Jelly at their website: pennyandjelly.com, and on Instagram: @pennyandjelly.com.

 NH note: Maria grew up in Keene.

 About Patrice Barton

Patrice resides in Austin Texas with her husband, son and dog Archer. It is also where she earned her BFA in Studio Art from the University of Texas. See her beautiful illustrations and learn more about Patrice at: http://patricebarton.com/

Activities

Girl and Dog Reunion Activity: http://www.curiouscitydpw.com/2017/09/06/hello-goodbye-dog-activity/

Disability Awareness and Inclusion: 20 Ways to Teach Non-Disabled Kids about their Disabled Peers: https://adayinourshoes.com/resources-to-teach-kids-about-disabilities-awareness-and-inclusion/

#KindnessRules: Teaching the Concept of Kindness : https://www.autismclassroomresources.com/kindness-rules-freebie/

Empathy Activities: https://www.merakilane.com/empathy-activities-for-kids/

Feeling Activities: http://www.childfun.com/themes/people/feelings/

Links

Picture books about disabilities: https://www.littleparachutes.com/category/health/disabilities/

Therapy dogs in the library:

https://www.slj.com/2016/05/programs/therapy-dogs-work-wonders-for-struggling-readers/

A way to make storytime enjoyable by everyone: http://www.maplaonline.org/documents/minutes/sensorystorytime.pdf

  

This is one of ten titles nominated for the 2018 Ladybug Picture Book Award. This info sheet post was created by Deborah Dutcher, Youth and Adult Services Librarian, NHSL.

Book of the Week (7/9/2018)

Olustee: America's Unfinished Civil War Battle by Greg Ahlgren (Sarasota, Fla. : Canterbury House Pub., 2018). 
 
Greg Ahlgren is a criminal defense lawyer and author from Manchester, NH. He has authored several fiction and nonfiction titles on varying subjects. 

Ahlgren's latest book, 'Olustee' is a "novel that details the February 20, 1864 murder of wounded African-American soldiers in the field by Georgia infantry following the Battle of Olustee, and explores the lingering impact the atrocity retains on that community's contentious Civil War monument controversy."--Toadstool Bookshop website.

Author Greg Ahlgren adds, "In Olustee you won't find Confederates portrayed as heroic underdogs, or Northerners as paternalistic moral guides, or slaves as obliging minor characters--images that have too long dominated Civil War fiction.  The Battle of Olustee ended in February 1864 with Georgia infantry murdering wounded African-American soldiers as they lay on the field, considered chattel in servile insurrection, pursuant to the dictates of Jefferson Davis and approved by the Confederate Congress. In 2013 the State of Florida held legislative hearings and refused to allow the construction of a Union monument to these soldiers.

The battle included the NH 7th Volunteer Regiment and that unit, together with its commander, Colonel Joseph Abbott, the former New Hampshire newspaper editor, feature prominently in the novel."

Join Greg on the following dates where he will be discussing and signing his newest book:

Saturday, July 14, 2018 at 3:00pm in Peterborough, NH at Toadstool Bookshop
Tuesday, July 24, 2018 at 5:30pm in Concord, NH at Gibson's Bookstore

Ladybug Nominee

Bunny's Book Club by Annie Silvestro, illustrated by Tatjana Mai-Wyss (New York, NY: Doubleday, 2017)

 

Summer is over and storytime has moved inside the library and Bunny can no longer hear the tales he has grown to love.  Bunny begins sneaking into the library at night to read all the books he can. When his forest friends discover his absence, they join him on the night visits to the library. Join these adorable creatures as they are caught by the librarian and then welcomed to continue with their love of reading at the library.

About Annie Silvestro

As stated on her website (www.anniesilvestro.com), author Annie Silvestro is a lover of books who reads and writes as much as possible and can often be found shuffling piles of them around so she has a place to sit or someplace to put her teacup. Her picture books include Bunny's Book Club, illustrated by Tatjana Mai-Wyss (Doubleday), Mice Skating, illustrated by Teagan White (Sterling, Fall 2017), and The Christmas Tree Who Loved Trains, illustrated by Paola Zakimi (HarperCollins, Fall 2018). Annie lives by the beach in NJ with her husband and two boys who like to read, and a cat who does not.

Author Spotlight: https://laurasassitales.wordpress.com/2017/02/20/author-spotlight-a-chat-with-annie-silvestro-in-celebration-of-the-release-of-her-debut-picture-book-bunnys-book-club/

About Tatjana Mai-Wyss

An illustrator and teacher born in Switzerland, Tatjana Mai-Wyss now lives in South Carolina, but still enjoys traveling the world and hopes to do more in the future. She loves to read and draw, especially with colored pencils. She also enjoys painting in watercolors. She loves the challenges received from the variety of book and magazines she creates for.

Tatjana discussing her process: https://kathytemean.wordpress.com/2017/02/25/illustrator-saturday-tatjana-mai-wyss/

Activities

Library Card: Have the children make or decorate their own library cards. 

Bunny Paper Bag Puppet: https://www.education.com/activity/article/bunny-paper-bag-puppet/ 

Bunny Stamp-Fine Motor Preschool Activity: https://theeducatorsspinonit.com/bunny-stamp-paint-activity/ 

The Bunny-Pokey [Tune:"Hokey-Pokey"]

You put your bunny ears in,
You put your bunny ears out,
You put your bunny ears in

and you wiggle all about.
You do the bunny-pokey,
and you hop yourself around,
That’s what it’s all about!

You put your bunny nose in….
You put your bunny tail in…
You put your bunny foot in…
You put your whole self in…

Links

• Host a Stuffed Animal Book Club for young patrons. Stuffed animals make great reading and writing buddies: https://www.scholastic.com/teachers/blog-posts/alycia-zimmerman/stuffed-animals-reading-and-writing-buddies/
• Favorite Stories about Libraries and Librarians:  http://www.readingrockets.org/booklists/favorite-stories-about-libraries-and-librarians

This is one of ten titles nominated for the 2018 Ladybug Picture Book Award. This info sheet post was created by Deborah Dutcher, Youth and Adult Services Librarian, NHSL.

3 on a Theme: Presidents

• Abraham Lincoln in New Hampshire by Elwin L. Page 
• The Quiet Man: The Indispensable Presidency of George H. W. Bush by John H. Sununu
• Franklin Pierce: Martyr for the Union by Peter A. Wallner