Julie & Julia: Lives to Books to Movie

Last night I saw the movie Julie & Julia. Meryl Streep should win an academy award for her portrayal of Julia Child. The movie is based on two real life stories told in two books: My Life in France by Julia Child, and Julie & Julia: My Year of Cooking Dangerously by Julie Powell. In 2002 Powell, a Julia Child devote, set out to cook all 524 recipes in Child's Mastering the Art of French Cooking, and blog (The Julie/Julia Project) about the experience. The blog became a book, the book a movie. Seeing the movie has inspired me to read the books. (However, it has not changed my personal mantra that the best thing to make is a reservation!)

Meryl Streep was a guest on The Daily Show on August 6, reviewing her role as Julia Child. It is a must see!

Seeing the movie and reading the books compliment my own adventure, to be recorded in this blog. I will have My Week in Paris, September 11 - 17, and I'll tell my story here, beginning today. I hope you will join me.

National First Ladies' Library

I discovered a new library and great resource. Read about the National First Ladies' Library at my post on Fairfax County Public Library's moderated discussion Library NewsBytes.

Library NewsBytes

I've taken a hiatis from LitLinx the past two months while transitioning into a new full-time position, which includes writing for the Fairfax County Public Library blog Library NewsBytes. I'm in the process of devising a logo for the site. Any ideas? Let me know in the comment section here at LitLinx, or at Library NewsBytes. Thanks! And welcome back.

Turtle's Penguin Day

Little Turtle is so inspired by the book about Penguins his father reads at bedtime that he dreams he is a penguin. The next day Little Turtle goes to school pretending to be a penguin, and all the children in his class cry, "We want to be penguins too!" Their teacher, Ms. Dog, reads to them about penguins, and they spend the rest of the day applying what they've learned. One of my favorites is when "they all tried to pass balls to each other using just their feet the way penguins do with their eggs."

I like this book for its direct link between reading and learning and fun. I like the colorful and cheerful illustrations. I like the creative use of "penguin colors" for the cover, and the polka-dots for the end pages. The book finishes with one page of Penguin Facts.

Turtle's Penguin Day
by Valeri Gorbachev (2008)
Recommended for ages 4 - 8
ISBN 9780375843747

The Beckoning Cat

Like me, you may often have noticed little statues of cats, beckoning with a paw, in Asian businesses. In her picture book The Beckoning Cat, based on a Japanese folktale, Koko Nishizuka tells the delightful story of this kind cat, and why it has become a symbol of good luck. This is a lovely book to share in honor of Asian Pacific America Heritage Month, recognized annually in May.

The Beckoning Cat

by Koko Nishizuka

Illustrated by Rosanne Litzinger

ISBN 9780823420513

2009; $16.95

Books Not Finished

It used to be that I thought it imperative to finish every book that I began. Then as I realized that I'd never be able to read all the books I wanted in my lifetime, I began to give myself permission to stop reading books I did not like. It still is a struggle. I have this feeling -- where does it come from? -- that you should finish every book you start. Perhaps it results from school where you have required reading.

This spring I have encountered five books that I have not finished reading. I am slightly unnerved. Five books in only the first quarter of a new year! As a friend of mine would say, "What's up with that?"

Here are the books and the short version of why I put each aside.

The Graveyard Book by Neil Gaiman
2009 Newbery Award Medal recipient
Dark, dull, difficult to imagine.

Paris Noir edited by Aurelien Masson
The introduction was a turnoff!

Into a Paris Quartier by Diane Johnson
Tedious.

Know Your Power: A Message to America's Daughters by Nancy Pelosi and Amy Hill Hearth
Obviously ghost written, and very poorly.

The Practicing Congregation: Imagining a New Old Church by Diana Butler Bass
I imagine this was a doctoral thesis which someone decided to publish. Boring.

Anyone have a good book to read?

Poem In Your Pocket Day

Today is the second national Poem In Your Pocket Day, sponsored by the Academy of American Poets in honor of National Poetry Month.

At my place of work, staff posted favorite poems on a bulletin board in the lunch room. It was fun to watch as people read poems and engaged in conversations about them throughout the day.

I was surprised by how many people enjoy poetry, have favorite poems, and even recite poems from memory. The celebration turned out to be a team-building experience.

photo by sul

Earth Day 2009 - 10 Things to Do

In honor of Earth Day, celebrated annually on April 22, read this book with the children in your life.

10 Things I Can Do to Help My World
by Melanie Walsh (2008)
ISBN 9780763641443, $15.99

Walsh's ten are simple things all of us can do everyday that will make a difference.

National Library Week Reading List

National Library Week (April 12 - 18) just ended, but in the course of helping customers I compiled a nice picture-book list related to libraries, librarians, books, and reading. Enjoy! (photo by sul)

Fiction
Read Anything Good Lately? by Susan Allen and Jane Lindaman
The Best Place to Read by Debbie Bertram
The Best Time to Read by Debbie Bertram
Ron’s Big Mission by Rose Blue
D. W.’s Library Card by Marc Tolon Brown
Locked in the Library by Marc Tolon Brown
Book! Book! Book! by Deborah Bruss
Our Library by Eve Bunting
But Excuse Me, That is My Book by Lauren Child
Maisy Goes to the Library by Lucy Cousins
The Library Dragon by Carmen Agra Deedy
ABC Letters in the Library by Bonnie Farmer
I.Q. Goes to the Library by Mary Ann Fraser
The Shelf Elf by Jackie Hopkins
The Shelf Elf Helps Out by Jackie Hopkins
Franklin’s Library Book by Sharon Jennings
Hot City by Barbara Joosse
Library Mouse by Daniel Kirk
Library Lion by Michelle Knudsen
Clarence the Copy Cat by Patricia Lakin
I Want to be a Librarian by Daniel Liebman
Quiero Ser Bibliotecario by Daniel Liebman (SP JP LIE)
Bats at the Library by Brian Lies
The Saturday Escape by Daniel J. Mahoney
When the Library Lights Go Out by Megan McDonald
Winston the Book Wolf by Marni McGee
Lola at the Library by Anna McQuinn
Lola en la Biblioteca by Anna McQuinn (SP JP MCQ)
Tiny Goes to the Library by Cari Meister
We’re Going on a Book Hunt by Pat Miller
The Boy Who was Raised by Librarians by Carla Morris
Beatrice Doesn’t Want To by Laura Joffe Numeroff
Curious George Visits the Library by H. A. Rey
I’m Going to New York to Visit the Lions by Tanya Roitman
Mind Your Manners, B. B. Wolf by Judy Sierra
Wild About Books by Judy Sierra
Carlo and the Really Nice Librarian by Jessica Spanyol
Beverly Billingsly Borrows a Book by Alexander Stadler
The Library by Sarah Stewart
It’s Library Day by Janet Morgan Stoeke
“L” is for Library by Sonya Terry
The Librarian from the Black Lagoon by Mike Thaler
Library Lil by Suzanne Williams
Can You Guess Where We’re Going by Elvira Woodruff
The Little Red Fish by Taeeun Yoo
Nonfiction
At the Library by Carol Greene (J 027G 1999)
The Bookworm’s Feast: A Potluck of Poems by J. Patrick Lewis (J 811 L 1999)
Please Bury Me in the Library by J. Patrick Lewis (J 811 L 2005)
The Librarian of Basra: A True Story from Iraq by Jeanette Winter (JB BAKER 2005)
The Librarian Who Measured the Earth by Kathryn Lasky (JB ERATOS THENES)
A Library for Juana by Pat Mora (JB JUANA INES 2002)
My Librarian Is A Camel: How Books Are Brought to Children Around the World by Margariet Ruurs (J 027.4 R 2005)
The Library of Alexandria by Kelly Trumble (J 027.032 T 2003)

The Year the Swallows Came Early

I heard this morning on NPR that today, March 19, is the day the swallows usually return to San Juan Capistrano. This seemingly minor migratory fact caught my attention because I just finished reading Kathryn Fitzmaurice’s debut novel called The Year the Swallows Came Early.

Eleven-year-old Eleanor “Groovy” Robinson lives in San Juan Capistrano. Her father is in jail, her mother works long hours at her beauty salon, and her best-friend is dealing with anger at his mom who has reappeared after several years’ unexplained absence. As she faces these life challenges, the swallows return earlier than usual, bringing with them a series of events that help Eleanor begin to understand the complexities of life and the importance of forgiveness.

The Year the Swallows Came Early
by Kathryn Fitzmaurice
2009, The Bowen Press
ISBN 9780061624971 $16.99
Recommended for ages 9 - 12

Iditarod 2009

The 37th annual running of the Iditarod sled dog race began on Saturday, March 7.

For all the information, news, updates, photos, video, etc., see the official website www.iditarod.com.

Mr. Lincoln's Boys

Based on true accounts, this picture book depicts the mischievous antics of Abraham Lincoln's two youngest sons, Tad and Willie, during their White House years. The boys were known as high energy pranksters, doted on by the adoring father.

Mr. Lincoln's Boys

by Staton Raybin

Illustrated by Bagram Ibatoulline

2008, Viking Juvenile

36 pages; recommended for ages 4 to 8

ISBN 9780670061693 $16.99

What Textbooks Left Out

In confessing to how boring they can be, former textbook writer Steve Sheinkin uses real-life accounts and quotes to write an attention-holding and readable account of the Civil War, with focus on Presidents James Buchanan and Abraham Lincoln. His book further shares a review of what happened to the key players after the war, interesting source notes, resources for further study, an end list of all quotes in the book and their sources, and an exhaustive index.

Two Miserable Presidents: Everything Your Schoolbooks Didn't Tell You About the Civil War

by Steve Sheinkin

Illustrated by Tim Robinson

2008, Roaring Brook Press

264 pages, recommended for ages 9 to 12

ISBN 9781596433205 $19.95

ComicsDC: Arlington County's Central Library has a stand-alone graphic novel section now

ComicsDC: Arlington County's Central Library has a stand-alone graphic novel section now

Lincoln and Douglass

Lincoln and Douglass: An American Friendship

by Nikki Giovanni

Illustrated by Bryan Collier

2008, Henry Holt

40 pages, recommended for ages 9 to 12

ISBN 9780805082647 $16.95

Frederick Douglass was born into slavery, and then escaped in 1838. His work as an abolitionist brought him into contact with President Abraham Lincoln. This book is about the strong friendship that developed between two national leaders committed to the common goal of ending slavery in the United States.

Lincoln Through the Lens

Lincoln Through the Lens: How Photography Revealed and Shaped an Extraordinary Life
by Martin W. Sandler
2008, Walker Books for Young Readers
96 pages; recommended for ages 9 to 12
ISBN 9780802796660 $19.99

History professor and award-winning writer Martin Sandler documents more than 100 photographs of Abraham Lincoln's life and times. Included in this collection is the only known pre-Gettysburg Address photograph of the sixteenth President.

Lincoln for Kids and Teens

February 12 marked the bicentennial of Abraham Lincoln's birth, and in preparation for this celebratory year, several new books have been written for children and teens about our 16th President. We'll review them on LitLinx one-by-one, beginning today with one of my favorites.

The Lincolns: A Scrapbook Look at Abraham and Mary

By Candace Fleming

2008, Schwartz & Wade

200 pages; Recommended for ages 10 to 14

ISBN 9780375836183 $24.99

An in-depth and personal review of the lives of Abraham Lincoln and Mary Todd Lincoln, this book includes photographs, copies of documents, and highlights about the people important in Lincoln's life and times. The author spent five years researching, and it is evident in the quality and thoroughness of the finished work. Unique to this book is the new insight into Mary Lincoln's life provided by her recently recovered personal letters.

Inaugural Poetry

Elizabeth Alexander has been chosen by President-Elect Barack Obama as only the fourth inaugural poet in American history. The 45-year-old award-winning poet also teaches African American studies at Yale.

Robert Frost was the first Inaugural Poet, chosen by John F. Kennedy in 1961. Bill Clinton followed Kennedy's example, choosing Maya Angelou for the 1993 inauguration, and Miller Williams for his second swearing-in ceremony in 1997.

On a musical side-note, poet Miller Williams is the father of singer-songwriter Lucinda Williams

Resolutions for Resolutions

Mo Rocca has the right idea. Skip resolutions for yourself, and make them for others. He made a few today on CBS Sunday Morning.

What about you?

As for myself, I first thought about making a resolution NOT to make resolutions. But I did that for 2008, and as the saying goes, if you aim at nothing you're sure to hit it.

So for 2009 I've decided to make a few. But just a few so as to aim well.

To help in meeting my 2009 resolutions (only to be listed on this blog once they are met), I have checked out from the library a book I saw on the shelf while helping a customer find a different title. The book is The Productivity Handbook: New Ways of Leveraging Your Time, Information, & Communications by Donald E. Wetmore (2005 by Random House).

I once was highly organized. For example, I exercised daily, I prayed daily, all my photos were labeled in albums, and the towels in the linen closet faced the same direction. But I've lost that, and now find myself bouncing from one pile to the next, rarely completing anything. So for 2009 it is time to focus and produce.

Thanks, Dave.

Dave began my collection of books about librarians with his gift to me of How I Fell in Love with a Librarian and Lived to Tell About It by Rhett Ellis. The gift was for receiving my master's degree in Library and Information Science from the University of South Carolina. Tonight Dave brilliantly suggested I start a list on my blog of books and films featuring librarians! I'm calling it: Dewey Decimal Dames. Submit your suggestions in comments to this post, and watch the lists grow.

An American in Paris

Pennsylvania-born Mary Cassatt was the only American invited into the Impressionists group in Paris in the late 1800s. She became instrumental in bringing art by the Impressionists to America.

Mary Cassatt: Friends and Family is on exhibit at the National Museum of Women in the Arts until January 25, 2009. In preparation for viewing the exhibit, NMWA's curator recommends the biography Mary Cassatt: A Life by Nancy Mowll Matthews.

Encyclopedia of Life

The World Wide Web continues to provide unprecedented opportunities for the collection, organization and dissemination of information. Five organizations are coordinating the Encyclopedia of Life "to organize and make available via the Internet virtually all information about life present on Earth." The Encyclopedia is a series of websites devoted to the 1.8 million or so species of life on earth. Everyone is invited to participate as a curator, a contributor, and/or a donor. The site Encyclopedia of Life went live in February 2008.

The five organizations coordinating the Encyclopedia are the Biodiversity Heritage Library, The Field Museum, Harvard University, the Marine Biological Laboratory, and the Smithsonian Institution.

This new wiki is the brainchild of Biologist E. O. Wilson, who announced his dream at a March 2007 Technology Entertainment Design (TED) speaking engagement. The MacArthur Foundation and the Sloan Foundation committed to an initial $50 million funding grant.

1, 2, Buckle My Shoe

This lovely counting book, set to the nursery rhyme One, Two, Buckle My Shoe, features colorful quilt squares for each number one to ten, sewn with the corresponding number of buttons, alternating with quilted illustrations of the verse. Readers will enjoy counting the buttons and exploring the assortment of patterns and colors in the quilt squares. Ms. Hines uses illustrative foreshadowing -- for example, a hen peeking from the corner of the two-page spread for "Open the gate" followed by a full-picture of the hen for "My big fat hen!" -- which adds to the enjoyment of reading the book over again. The end pages are a photograph of bright buttons. Ms. Hines’ attention to detail makes this a quality picture book.

1, 2, Buckle My Shoe
by Anna Grossnickle Hines
Harcourt, 2008
9780152063054, $16.00

Ms. Hines discusses her quilting and the making of her book online -- click here.

Diamond Willow

Diamond Willow is a unique book, putting together the coming-of-age struggles of a twelve-year-old girl, the history and heritage of the Athabascan Indians, the culture of Alaska, and the creative writing of author Helen Frost. The story is told in diamond shaped poems, mirroring the markings on polished Diamond Willow sticks. The writing is picturesque and beautiful. For example, “Silence stalks around us like a cat. Even Zanna doesn’t chatter it into pieces.” I read this book through in one sitting.


Diamond Willow by Helen Frost
2008; $16.00
Ages 10 to 14

Choo Choo

This delightful board book features die-cuts helping to illustrate the landscape through which the little train and its happy passengers travel.



Choo Choo by Petr Horacek
Candlewick, 2008
ISBN 9780763634773
$5.99

Gulliver Snip and His Clipper Ship

Each night Gulliver becomes Captain Snip and guides his ship on exciting adventures -- all from his bath. That's because, "Gulliver Snip had a clipper ship that his mother called the bathtub." Each two-page spread features rhyming text and an illustration of Gulliver in the bathtub adjacent to a full-page illustration of Captain Gulliver in his imagination.

Gulliver Snip by Julia Kay (A Picture Book)

Henry Holt and Company, 2008

ISBN 9780805079920

$16.95

Bad Kitty Gets a Bath

Laugh out loud funny! Nick Bruel knows cats (and dogs), and his portrayal of them is very funny in Bad Kitty Gets a Bath. Kids will enjoy the various writing styles used (comic book, newspaper, novel, textbook), the illustrations, and the glossary (which includes some advanced words). I think this book might even be enjoyed by a reluctant reader.

Bad Kitty Gets a Bath by Nick Bruel
Roaring Brook Press
August 2008
Library/Reinforced; 9781596433410; 13.95

Countdown to Brisingr

Brisingr, the third book in Christopher Paolini's "Inheritance Cycle," will be released tonight at midnight -- September 20, 2008.

The "Inheritance Cycle" began with the book Eragon. Paolini completed his first draft of the book when he was fifteen. His family self-published it, but later was contacted by Alfred A. Knopf Books for Young readers. Author Carl Hiaasen, who himself writes books for young readers, brought Eragon to the to publisher's attention after his step-son read it. Eragon was published by Knopf in 2003. Eldest, the second book in the series, followed in 2005.

Paolini had thought his "Inheritance" series would be a trilogy. But when the draft for the third book neared 2000 pages, he decided it would be best to divide the story into a four book cycle, changing it from the Inheritance Trilogy to the "Inheritance Cycle". Brisingr is book three. Book four will complete the story.

The adventures of Eargon and the dragon Saphira were made into a movie by Fox in December 2006.

The "Inheritance Cycle" webpage includes activities and an Eragon Screensaver.

Anne is 100

Lucy Maud Montgomery's Anne of Green Gables, the first book in her famous eight novel series, was published in Canada in 1908. In celebration of the centennial, visit these websites.

Anne 2008

The Lucy Maud Montgomery Institute

Two recent articles highlight Anne's 100th birthday. Ramin Setoodeh wrote "It's Still Not Easy Being Green: 'Anne of Green Gables' turns 100 this year, but she's the most modern girl in the bookstore." in the July 28, 2008, issue of Newsweek.

Jayne Clark of USA Today wrote 'Anne of Green Gables' still rules Prince Edward Island'.

Edith Wharton Society

The International Edith Wharton Society first met in 1983, and continues to "foster Wharton scholarship." The Society's website features information about and links to related conference sessions and publications, and excellent biographical and historical information about Edith Wharton, her writings, and the history of the time in which she lived. Membership in the Edith Wharton Society is inexpensive, and includes a subscription to The Edith Wharton Review.