Is there a young woman in your life that is excited by science or math, or perhaps obsessed with a particular field? Well my six year old daughter is currently planning on being a scientist that studies and cares for wild animals. Meanwhile my eight year old son is loving a special science class that lets him try a number of science experiments each week. To encourage both in all their interests I offer books, movies, and stories about people in those fields. Like many parents I find it frustrating that I have to search a little harder to find women pursuing the Sciences.
Here are a selection of children’s books about female pioneers and contributors to the fields of math and science. Hopefully they will help keep interested girls and young women interested in the fields, and perhaps get a few new interested parties.
A fascinating collection celebrates the clever and creative inventions of women from candles, helmets, and baby carriers to cancer-fighting drugs and details their fierce determination to overcome many hurdles to make their dreams come true.
Women Astronomers: Reaching for the Stars by Mabel Armstrong
Presents information about the achievements of women in the field of astronomy throughout history, from women astronomers in the ancient and medieval world to prominent women in the profession today.
You Can Turn Endless Political Talk into Election Education
With the political ads practically inescapable lately and midterm elections happening today, it is a perfect time to talk about voting with our children. Introducing the history, responsibilities, reasoning and ideals behind voting, and maybe a few laughs along the way, can turn the political ad season into a more enjoyable prospect for readers of all ages. I have broken the subject into two short lists, non fiction books and fiction.
Juvenile Nonfiction:
2.Voting by Sarah De Capua
3.Today on Election Day by Catherine Stier
4.See How They Run: Campaign Dreams, Election Schemes, and the Race to the White House by Susan E. Goodman
5. If I Ran for President by Catherine Stier
More nonfiction books that are solid resources in understanding the political process and the history behind it include: Eyewitness Vote by Phillip Steele, Getting Elected: a Look at Running for Office by Robin Nelson and Sandy Donovan, Heart on Fire: Susan B. Anthony Votes for President by Ann Malaspina, Rightfully Ours: How Women Won the Vote, 21 Activities by Kerrie Logan Hollihan, So You Want to be president? by Judith St. George, The Taxing Case of the Cows; A True Story About Suffrage by Iris van Rynbach and Pegi Deitz Shea, Running for Public Office by Sarah De Capua, Vote! by Eileen Christelow, You Want Women to Vote, Lizzie Stanton? by Jean Fritz, A Kid’s Guide to the Voting Process by Tammy Gagne, and America Votes: How our President is Elected by Linda Granfield.
1. Grace for President by Kelly DiPucchio
2. The Kid Who Ran for President by Dan Gutman
3. Fake Mustache: or, how Jodie O’Rodeo and Her Wonder Horse (and Some Nerdy Kid) Saved the U.S. Presidential Election from a Mad Genius Criminal Mastermind by Tom Angleberger
4. Vote: the Theory, Practice, and Destructive Properties of Politics by Gary Paulsen
5. Amelia Bedelia’s First Vote by Herman Parish
What’s Happening at Cheshire Library in September
Summer may be over, but lots of great programming continues at Cheshire Library! Here are some of the special programs we’ve got lined up this month:
SAT Preparation Seminar
Tuesday Sep 2, 2014, 6:30 PM – 8:00 PM
Prominent language arts tutor, Ellis Ratner will address all aspects of the Reading and Writing Sections, including sentence completion, reading comprehension, grammar and essay writing. Attendees will also receive, free of charge, and SAT Preparation Primer. Register on our website.
Reckless: True Story of the Legendary Korean War Pony
Thursday Sep 4, 2014, 7:00 PM – 8:00 PM
Janet Barrett, author of They Called Her Reckless — A True Story of War, Love And One Extraordinary Horse, will appear to discuss the story of Reckless, a small Korean pony who became a real-life hero during the Korean War. She saved many lives, raised spirits and won the love and respect of all who knew her. Reckless hauled ammo, brought back dead and wounded Marines, boosted the troops’ morale, was awarded two Purple Hearts and finally brought back to the U.S., where she lived out her years at Camp Pendleton, California. Register on our website.
Zumba for Kids
Saturday Sep 6, 2014, 1:00 PM – 2:00 PM
Join Tracy Brody in a great Zumba program designed just for kids!
Zumba is an easy-to-follow, Latin-inspired dance-fitness program. Classes specifically for kids are formatted in a way to make getting fit fun. Kids can just let loose and be themselves! Register on our website.
Cheshire Cats Classics Club – The Good Soldier by Ford Maddox Ford
Monday Sep 8, 2014, 7:00 PM – 8:00 PM
The Cheshire Cats Classics Club will resume after a summer break on Monday September 8 at 7 p.m. at the Cheshire Public Library. The book club will read The Good Soldier by Ford Maddox Ford in honor of the 100th anniversary of the beginning of World War I. Register on our website. Copies of this book may be borrowed at the library.
Our Health in the Balance: Toxic Lawn Pesticides
Tuesday Sep 9, 2014, 7:00 PM – 8:00 PM
Concerned about your health, your children’s health, your pet’s health, and the health of the environment? Find out more when presenter Dr. Jerry Silbert, a physician trained in Pathology, Laboratory Medicine, and Environmental Health, speaks about toxic lawn pesticides and chemical trespass. Register on our website.
Builder’s Brigade
Wednesdays, Sep 10 and 24 2014, 4:00 PM – 5:00 PM
Kids have the opportunity to use their best creativity to design buildings, creatures, and more using Lego and Mega blocks. They can work alone, or in a team with peers. A different theme is picked for each session and kids can build on that theme or build a creation of their own. At the end of each session, kids can put their creations on display at the library for all to see until the next club is scheduled! NO REGISTRATION REQUIRED.
Silly Song Sing-a-long
Saturday Sep 13, 2014, 10:30 AM – 11:30 AM
Silly Song Sing-a-long is a mix of popular children’s songs, musical games, dance movements, and rhythms. Children and adults will be encouraged to participate and act silly along with Edward Leonard and his guitars, drums, and maracas. Register on our website.
Fab Film Saturdays: ERNEST AND CELESTINE
Saturday Sep 20, 2014, 2:00 PM – 4:00 PM
Ernest & Celestine (2012). Academy Award Nominee (Best Animated Feature) and featuring the voices of Forest Whitaker, Mackenzie Foy, and more! This is the gorgeously animated story of an unlikely friendship between a bear, Ernest, and a mouse named Celestine. NO REGISTRATION REQUIRED. Bring your own snacks!
Running Time 1 hour, 20 minutes. Rated PG.
Occult and Demonology in the Civil War
Monday, Sep 22, 2014, 7:00 PM
Join Matthew Bartlett, local author and Gettysburg historian, as he discusses demonology and the occult in the Civil War. Register on our website.
Halloween Science Workshop – 2 Sessions
Saturday Sep 27, 2014, 1:15 PM and 2:30 PM
Explore a Halloween skeleton, the science of darkness, the inner workings of Halloween toys and gadgets, and live spiders and other scary creepy-crawlies in a fun hands-on workshop conducted by local naturalist and amateur scientist, Eric Nelson. Register on our website.
Small Business Lending
Monday Sep. 29, 2014, 7:00pm
Sheldon L. Pollock, Banking Consultant and former Bank CEO, will explain the points that a business owner should consider when applying for a small business loan. Register on our website.
Linda Reads: The Beekeeper’s Ball by Susan Wiggs
The Beekeeper’s Ball by Susan Wiggs is book two of the Bella Vista Chronicles. Book One, The Apple Orchard was previously reviewed here. It is best to read book one first.
Thirty year old Isabel Johansen is a talented chef who had to suddenly leave culinary school under traumatic circumstances. She returned to her beloved home in Archangel to transform the family estate of a beautiful hacienda, apple orchards, gardens, and beehives to a destination cooking school. It’s a huge undertaking, especially since she is also planning her half-sister Tess’s wedding. But a stranger shows up, and Isabel’s carefully ordered plans are put into jeopardy.
Cormac O’Neill is an award winning, world famous journalist. Unbeknown by Isabel, he’s on his way to Bella Vista to meet Isabel’s grandfather, Magnus, to help write Magnus’ life story – a powerful, moving story of the Danish Resistance during World War II, the two women who shared his life, and the friend who helped him go to America and build his apple orchards.
Ms. Wiggs beautifully weaves the two plot lines – Magnus’s prior life, and the present day struggles of Isabel trying to build her cooking school, plan her sister’s wedding and overcome a painful episode that forced her to quit culinary school. A sweet and understated romance blooms between Isabel and Cormac as they both learn to overcome their painful pasts.
Once again, Ms. Wiggs has written a visually appealing, moving story about love, lost, forgiveness and family. Her incredible descriptions bring you right into the middle of World War II and smoothly transition to the lush, fragrant hills of present day California. This book ends with the promise of an exciting story regarding Isabel and Tess’ father’s untimely death in the next installment of Bella Vista.
Summertime Stargazing for the Whole Family
9.Where are the Stars During the Day?: a Book about Stars by Melvin and Gilda Berger; illustrated by Blanche Sims
10.Beyond the Solar System: Exploring Galaxies, Black Holes, Alien Planets, and More by Mary Kay Carson
Still not enough information, or looking to study more study about space, the night sky, and stargazing? In the adult nonfiction department you might want to check out: Stargazing with Binoculars by Robin Scagell, Firefly Guide to Stars and Planets by Sir Patrick Moore, Astronomy Hacks by Robert Bruce Thompson and Barbara Fritchman Thompson, An Intimate Look at the Night Sky by Chet Raymo,A Field Guide to the Stars and Planets by Jay M. Pasachoff, Discover Planetwatch : a Year-Round Viewing Guide to the Night Sky with a Make-your-own Planetfinder by Clint Hatchett, or The Audubon Society Field Guide to the Night Sky by Mark R. Chartrand.
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