Check It Out
Find a listing of the latest arrivals of books, audio and video items at the Wauwatosa Library, as well as information on upcoming events and staff suggestions for timely information you can use every day on the library's blog.
Children's Book Week
Celebrate Children’s Book Week (May 11-17, 2009) by reading one of the 2008 Children’s Choice Book Award winners or 2009 Children’s Choice Book Award finalists. The awards celebrate the books that kids chose online in six categories: Kindergarten to 2nd Grade Book of the Year, 3rd to 4th Grade Book of the Year, 5th to 6th Grade Book of the Year, Teen Choice Book of the Year, Author of the Year and Illustrator of the Year. Go to BookWeekOnline.com for information about Children’s Book Week or to obtain a list of last year’s winners and finalists and this year’s finalists. The 2008 Children’s Choice Book Award winners are:
Kindergarten - 2nd Grade
Frankie Stein by Lola M Schaefer; illustrated by Kevan Atteberry
3rd – 4th grade
Big Cats by Elaine Landau
5th – 6th grade
Encyclopedia Horrifica by Joshua Gee
Author of the Year
J.K. Rowling for Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows
Illustrator of the Year
Ian Falconer for Olivia Helps with Christmas (written by Ian Falconer)
Reading Fun
Is learning to read easy? That depends on a number of factors that certainly include access to age-appropriate materials and read-aloud experiences at an early age. Charlemagne, also known as Charles the Great, was a medieval emperor and soldier who did not learn to read until he was almost 40 years old. Little is known about his childhood, but it is probable that he did not have age appropriate reading materials. He did have a desire to read and an appreciation of language, which is documented by his court biographer, Einhard. The Wauwatosa Public Library summer reading program for children seeks to instill an appreciation of language, the desire to read, and a love of books in children. The first step for parents and adults who work with children is to make an association between reading and pleasure. Sitting in a parent’s lap and listening to a picture book is pleasurable. Going to story time at the library to hear stories and participate in related activities is fun. Receiving prizes for a completed summer reading card is gratifying. Summer program schedules are available in the Children’s Library beginning May 1, 2009.
The Grand Reading Card 2009 expands on the idea of associating reading with pleasure. The children may choose seven ways of enjoying a book or the library for additional prizes. The 29 suggestions on the card range from applying for one’s own library card to reading a book in the park. The Grand Reading Card 2009 will be available June 1st.
Nadia Wheatley expresses the joy of reading well in her picture book, The Greatest Treasure of Charlemagne the King. In her book, Alcuin of York, the scholar who helped Charlemagne establish his court school, explains why it is worth the effort to learn to read. “If you learn to read and love books, I can promise that you will never again be bored or lonely.”
New Releases
Books
Always Looking Up: the Adventures of an Incurable Optimist by Michael J. Fox Complete Poems of Sappho by Sappho
Enough Already!: Clearing Mental Clutter to Become the Best You by Peter Walsh
First Family by David Baldacci
Home Safe by Elizabeth Berg
Jane Brody’s Guide to the Great Beyond: a Practical Primer to Help You and Your Loved Ones
Prepare Medically, Legally, and Emotionally for the End of Life by Jane E. Brody
Loitering with Intent by Stuart Woods Martha Stewart’s Encyclopedia of Crafts by Martha Stewart
Selma of the North: Civil Rights Insurgency in Milwaukee by Patrick D. Jones
Suze Orman’s 2009 Action Plan by Suze Orman
Audiobooks
Element: How Finding Your Passion Changes Everything by Ken Robinson
Handle with Care by Jodi Picoult
Long Lost by Harlan Coben Plum Spooky by Janet Evanovich
Safe Money in Tough Times: Everything You Need to Know to Survive the Financial Crisis by Jonathan D. Pond
DVDs
City of Ember
Day the Earth Stood Still Madagascar. Escape 2 Africa
Make ‘Em Laugh: the Funny Business of America
March Madness: the Greatest Moments of the NCAA Tournament
Music on CD
Hazards of Love/Decemberists
Metamorphosen/Branford Marsalis Quartet
Quiet Nights/Diana Krall
Roll On/J.J. Cale
Willie and the Wheel/Willie Nelson and Asleep at the Wheel
Spring Fever
Congratulations. You’ve survived another Wisconsin winter! It’s nice to be outside again – but where to go when you’ve got spring fever? You’ve got some great choices here in Milwaukee County for enjoying the great outdoors. Here are some suggestions for the next time it’s just too nice out to stay inside. Wehr Nature Center in Franklin
You and your whole family can explore the natural environment of the Wehr Nature Center. The Center offers self-guided tours, as well as programs led by staff naturalists. Walk through forest, wetland, prairie and savannah habitats, or check out the Visitor Center and Nature Store.
Wehr Nature Center
9701 W. College Ave., Franklin, WI 53132
(414) 425-8550 http://www.county.milwaukee.gov/WehrNatureCenter10115.htm
Boerner Botanical Gardens in Hales Corners
Walk through gardens of annuals, perennials, roses and herbs. There's a rock garden and even a bog garden! On their main web page, the Botanical Gardens features a link to “What’s Blooming” so you can see what will be in bloom when you start your tour of the gardens.
Boerner Botanical Gardens
9400 Boerner Drive
Hales Corners, WI 53130
(414) 525-5600 http://www.county.milwaukee.gov/BoernerBotanicalGard10113.htm
For more information about Milwaukee County parks, check out their website: http://www.county.milwaukee.gov/ParksandPublicInfras7720.htm.
And, don’t forget the Milwaukee County Zoo! The animals will be out enjoying the spring sunshine. Come out and see what’s new. On May 10th, Moms get in for free!
Milwaukee County Zoological Gardens
10001 West Blue Mound Road, Milwaukee, Wisconsin, 53226
Information: (414) 256-5412 | Main Office: (414) 771-3040 http://www.milwaukeezoo.org/
Memorial Day
Memorial Day, also called Decoration Day, is a United States federal holiday observed on the last Monday in May. It honors U.S. men and women who died while in military service. It was first enacted to honor soldiers of the American Civil War and was expanded after World War I to include American casualties of any war or military action. After the Civil War, many communities designated a day to honor the memory of their soldiers killed in battle. Waterloo, New York, first observed the holiday on May 5, 1866 and in 1966, the government officially proclaimed Waterloo, New York, the birthplace of the holiday. In 1868, Major General John A. Logan, commander-in-chief of the Grand Army of the Republic, a veterans’ organization, issued a proclamation that Decoration Day be observed nationwide on May 30th each year. The name, Memorial Day, was first used in 1882 and was declared the official name of the holiday in 1967.
On June 28, 1968, the government passed the Uniform Holidays Bill which moved three holidays, Presidents’ Day, Veterans Day and Memorial Day, from their traditional dates to a specified Monday in order to create a three-day weekend. In 1971, the Memorial Day holiday was officially moved to the last Monday in May.
On Memorial Day, many people observe the holiday by visiting cemeteries and memorials and placing American flags and flowers on military gravesites. Communities hold memorial observances and parades. Plan to attend Wauwatosa’s Annual Memorial Day Observance Monday, May 25th at 10:00 at Longfellow Middle School. The program will include the Presentation of Colors, the Pledge of Allegiance, Invocation, Celebration of Sacrifice, Playing of Taps and musical selections performed by the Wauwatosa Community Band.
Lest We Forget
The Wauwatosa Library has a very special book entitled, Lest We Forget, honoring Wauwatosa soldiers who lost their lives in the two World Wars. It was compiled by the Gold Star Mothers of Wauwatosa in 1957. The introduction to the book describes its purpose so beautifully.
"Here, in Memoriam for this and future generations, are recorded...the names of those who gave their lives that we might live without fear and tyranny, in a nation and a city dedicated to the freedom and dignity of man. Each page is a monument to one who was a resident of this community. Through their sacrifices these protectors of our freedom have established an imperishable bond between themselves, their fellow citizens and future generations. Their place in history will not be forgotten."
In this book you find an 8 x 10 photograph and a service biography of each soldier killed, from Jack Roger Allen and his brother, Roy Helmann Allen to Herbert Frederick Zobel. As one turns the pages of this book, the reader is bound to feel a sense of sadness and profound appreciation.
