Book List

Did you know that March is National Crochet Month?

/ Sharon Tyler / Leave a comment

I had no idea that there was an entire month dedicated to my favorite pastime (aside from reading of course). March is apparently National Crochet Month! I use crochet to relax and unwind while at the same time making something. I often find myself saying “just one more row”, or “as soon as i finish this color” when I should really be getting up to cook dinner or go to bed at night. A bonus is that while working on something simple or very comfortable for me I can read or watch television as I work away.

Are you a fellow crocheter, or someone that wants to learn or pick it up again after a long hiatus? Do you want to learn from scratch, crochet1pick up some new stitches, or help someone else learn? Well, thankfully the library has a variety of books to help regardless of skill level. There are even books in our children’s section to help teach the younger generations how to love yarn and hooks as much as I do.

Here are some great books to get you started, help you brush up on the basics, and learn some new stitches and techniques in the process:crochet2

1. The Crochet Answer Book by Edie Eckman

2. How to Crochet: the Definitive Crochet Course, Complete with Step-by-Step Techniques, Stitch Libraries, and Projects for your Home and Family and Pauline Turner

3. Ultimate Crochet Bible: a Complete crochet3Reference with Step-by-step Techniques by Jane Crowfoot

4. Rowan Presents Crochet Workshop: the Complete Course for the Beginner to Intermediate Crocheter by Emma Seddon & Sharon Brant

5. Crochet-opedia: the Only Crochet Reference You’ll Ever Need by Julie Oparkacrochet5

6. 200 Crochet Tips, Techniques & trade Secrets by Jan Eaton

7. The Chicks with Sticks’ Quide to Crochet: Learn to Crochet with More than Thirty Cool, Easy Patterns by Nancy Queen and Mary Ellen O’Connell

crochet78. Donna Kooler’s Encyclopedia of Crochet

9. Teach Yourself Visually Crochet by Cecily Keim

10. Not Your Mama’s Crochet: the Cool and Creative Way to Join the Chain Gang by Amy Swenson

Looking for some unique or comprehensive pattern colcrochet10lections or more advanced instruction? Well, then you might want to check out: Crochet Master Class: Lessons and Projects from Today’s Top Crocheters by Jean Leinhauser and Rita Weiss, Crochet One-Skein Wonders: 101 Projects from Crocheters around the World edited by Judith Durant and Edie Eckman, Hip to Crochet: 23 Contemporary Projects for Today’s Crocheter by Judith L. crochetbottomSwartz, The Big Book of Weekend Crochet: Over 30 Stylish Projects by Hilary Mackin and Sue Whiting, 200 Crochet Blocks: for Blankets, Throws, and Afghans by Jan Eaton, Couture Crochet Workshop : Mastering Fit, Fashion, and Finesse by Lily M. Chin, Calamity-Free Crochet: Trouble-shooting Tips and Advice for the Savvy Needlecrafter by Catherine Hirst, The Ultimate Sourcebook of Knitting andcrochetbotm2 Crochet Stitches,  Big Book of Crochet Afghans: 26 Afghans for Year-Round Stitching, Knit-and-Crochet Garden , or Candy Crochet: 50 Adorable Designs for Infants & Toddlers by Candi Jensen.

I have included some of my go-to references in this list, but I could not sneak them all in. If you have a favorite I missed, or one that really missed the mark that you would suggest others of a particular skill level avoid, please include that information in the comments so others can make use of that information.

Book for Young Train Enthusiasts

/ Sharon Tyler / Leave a comment

train table playAnyone that has brought young children to our library’s children room has dealt with the desire more children have to stay and keep playing, bring a train home, or some variation of the vary familiar “I don’t want to go” syndrome. Those of us that work in the children room see it daily, and are well versed in distraction and sympathy for those dealing with the situation. Why not pick out some books about trains to help ease the distress caused by leaving behind so much fun?

Here are some picture books and easy non fiction that are perfect for young train lovers.

1.Locomotive by Brian Floca
3.Trains by Dana Meachen Rau
4.Trains by Mary Lindeen
5.Trains by Lynn Curlee
6.Two Little Trains by Margaret Wise Brown
7.Ultimate Trains by Peter McMahon
8.Terrific Trains by Dennis Shealy
9.Terrific Trains by Tony Mitton and Ant Parker

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More train books that might satisfy young fans include: Trains by Amy Shields, Freight Train by Donald Crews, Trains by Byron Barton, Trains by Paul Stickland, How to Train a Train by Jason Carter Eaton, Steam Train, Dream Train by Sherri Duskey Rinker, Planes, Trains and Cars by Simon Abbott, or I Love Trains! by Philemon Sturges.

trainmovieYou might also be interested in these dvd’s for fast and fun satisfaction: Thomas and the Magic Railroad, Lots & Lots of Big Trains. Volume 1, Barney: Planes, Trains, Cars, Cars, Trucks, Trains, Planes ,Thomas & Friends. It’s Great to be an Engine!, Thomas & Friends. Blue Mountain Mystery, or Chuggington. Chief Wilson amoung many others.

On Our Shelves: New Romance – February 2015

/ Linda / Leave a comment

rose

A little something to warm up these cold, February days!

Contemporary

Against the Sky – Kat Martin

Firelight at Mustang Ridge – Jesse Hayworth

Fire Me Up – Kimberly Kincaid

Flirting with Disaster  – Victoria Dahl

A Little On The Wild Side – Robin Kaye

Echo Lake – Carla Neggers

Teardrop Lane – Emily March

It Must Be Your Love – Bella Andre

Rescue Me – Catherine Mann

Falling for Jillian – Kristen Proby

Just The Way You Are – Beverly Barton

Unfaded Glory – Sara Arden

Sweet Surprise – Candis Terry

Rough Rider – Victoria Vane

 

Romantic Suspense

Closer Than You Think – Karen Rose

 

Historical

If The Viscount Falls – Sabrina Jeffries

Ace’s Wild – Sarah McCarty

Forbidden To Love The Duke – Jillian Hunter

The Secrets of Sir Richard Kenworthy – Julia Quinn

Catch a Falling Heiress – Laura Lee Ghuhrke

In Your Wildest Scottish Dreams – Karen Ranney

 

Paranormal

Viper Game – Christine Feehan

Ghost Killer – Robin D. Owens

National Eating Disorder Awareness Week

/ Sharon Tyler / Leave a comment

February 22 through 28th is National Eating Disorder Awareness Week. While many of us are still focused on New Years resolutions about health and weight, it is a good time to stop and think about the ramifications of the focus on being perfect that seems so prevalent in today’s world. Making changes is great, but it is important that we all do so in a smart and healthy manner.

There are far too many young adults and adults out there suffering from eating disorders and other self image problems. to make matters works these concerns are becoming more of an issue with younger and younger children each year. thankfully there are many resources out there, and many fantastic books, to help. Here is a selection of related books that I would recommend for anyone that suffers from one of these disorders, knows someone that does, worries that someone close to you (or you yourself) might be heading in that direction, or just wants to educate themselves in order to understand and help others.

I have broken the list down into fiction featuring characters dealing with eating disorders and nonfiction books that can help answer specific questions with research and medical information. this is far from a comprehensive list, so if you have found a resource or book that I have forgotten please mention it in a comment to share with others.

For more immediate help, information, and support please visit the National Eating Disorder Association‘s or the National Association of Anorexia Nervosa and Associated Disorders website.

Fiction:
1. Skin & Bones by Sherry Shahan
2. Butter by Erin Jade Lange
3. Purge by Sarah Darer Littman
4. Zero by Diane Tullson
5. Faded Denim: Color me Trapped by Melody Carlson
6. Healing Waters by Nancy Rue & Stephen Arterburn.

More quality adult and young adult fiction that deals with eating disorders include: Wintergirls by Laurie Halse Anderson, Massive by Julia Bell, Just Listen by Sarah Dessen, Perfect by Natasha Friend, Skinny by Ibi Kaslik, Saving Ruth by Zoe Fishman, Skin by Adrienne Maria Vrettos, and Hunger by Jackie Morse Kessler.

Non Fiction:
1. If Your Adolescent has an Eating Disorder: an Essential Resource for Parents by B. Timothy Walsh and V. L. Cameron
2. Take Charge of your Child’s Eating Disorder: a Physician’s Step-by-Step Guide to Defeating Anorexia and Bulimia by Pamela Carlton, and Deborah Ashin
3.Surviving an Eating Disorder: Strategies for Family and Friends by Michele Seigel, Judith Brisman, Margot Weinshel
4.Regaining your Self: Breaking Free from the Eating Disorder Identity: a Bold New Approach by Ira M. Saker and Sheila Buff
5.Gaining: the Truth about Life after Eating Disorders by Aimee Liu
6.Eating Disorders: the Facts by Suzanne Abraham and Derek Llewellyn-Jones
7.Going Hungry: Writers on Desire, Self-denial, and Overcoming Anorexia edited by Kate Taylor.

I would also suggest checking out The Eating Disorder Sourcebook by Carolyn Costin, Next to Nothing: a Firsthand Account of one Teenager’s Experience with an Eating Disorder by Carrie Arnold with B. Timothy Walsh, Life Beyond your Eating Disorder: Reclaim Yourself, Regain your Health, Recover for Good by Johanna S. Kandel, Treatment Plans and Interventions for Bulimia and Binge-eating Disorder by Rene D. Zweig, Robert L. Leahy, Goodbye Ed, Hello Me : Recover from your Eating Disorder and Fall in Love with Life by Jenni Schaefer, Anatomy of Anorexia by Steven Levenkron and When Dieting Becomes Dangerous: a Guide to Understanding and Treating Anorexia and Bulimia by Deborah Marcontell Michel, Susan G. Willard.

Children’s Books with Non Traditional Families

/ Sharon Tyler / Leave a comment

Children love to see something of themselves and their families as they read. Sometimes spotting something of themselves in the main character’s personality or home life is what helps them connect to a book or foster a love in reading. When growing up in a family that is everything you need, but not the expected mom and dad with 2.5 kids and a dog, it is sometimes hard to make that connection. Thankfully, since the ‘expected’ family is becoming less of a norm for a altfamilies1variety of reasons I thought it would be helpful to share some children’s books with alternative families to help every child find a book that they can relate to. Here are some picture books and easy readers to share with some young readers about a variety of families.

And Tango Makes Three by Justin Richardson and Peter Parnell; illustrated by Henry Colealtfamily2
At New York City’s Central Park Zoo, two male penguins fall in love and start a family by taking turns sitting on an abandoned egg until it hatches.

I Love You Like Crazy Cakes by Rose Lewis; illustrated by Jane Dyer
A woman describes how she went to China to adopt a special baby girl. Based on the author’s own experiences.

The Family Book by Todd Parraltfamilies3
Represents a variety of families, some big and some small, some with only one parent and some with two moms or dads, some quiet and some noisy, but all alike in some ways and special no matter what.

In Our Mothers’ House BY Patricia Polacco
Three young children experience the joys and challenges of being raised by two mothers.

Two Homes by Claire Masurel; illustrated by Kady MacDonald Dentonaltfamily5
A young boy named Alex enjoys the homes of both of his parents who live apart but love Alex very much.

Black is Brown is Tan by Arnold Adoff; pictures by Emily Arnold McCully
When it was first published in 1973, Black is Brown is Tan featured the first interracial family in children’s books.altfamily6

There are many more kinds of families, and many more books about how wonderful each is. Here are a select group of more books on the subject:Uncle Bobby’s Wedding by Sarah S. Brannen, Everywhere Babies by Susan Meyers; illustrated by Marla Frazee,  The White Swan Express: a Story about Adoption by Jean Davies Okimoto and Elaine M. Aoki; illustrated by Meilo So, Who’s in a Family? by Robert Skutch; illustrations by Laura Nienhaus, I Have Two Homes by Marian De Smet; illustrated by Nynke Talsma, Who’s Whose? by Jan Ormerod, Raising you Alone by Warren Hanson, All Families are Special by Norma Simon; illustrated by Teresa Flavin.

My list is not comprehensive, there is no way to include every good book on the subject. If I missed a great one you have run across please share it in the comments so we can all check it out!