Cheshire Library

Sharon Reads: Exclamation Mark by Amy Krouse Rosenthal and Tom Lichtenheld

/ Sharon Tyler / Leave a comment

Exclamation Mark is a picturebook written by Amy Krouse Rosenthal (a favorite of mine) and illustrated by Tom Lichtenheld. The exclamation mark stands out, no matter what he does or where he goes. He would really like to be more like everyone else, but he is just too different. Finally a friend shows him that being different is a good thing, and that he has endless potential. It is his differences that make him special, make him wonderful, and gives him his abilities. I know I have gone through moments (or years) where I thought I had to twist myself to fit other’s expectations to some degree, and I think that everyone regardless of age can remember going through it as well.

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Exclamation Mark


Exclamation Mark seems like a simple enough story, but like in Little Pea, Spoon and Chopsticks, we see that it can be the simple things that can really change us. I highly recommend Exclamation Mark to everyone. That’s right, everyone. I also recommend taking a peek at Rosenthal’s other books and enjoying the combination of a simple of the story with the impact larger concepts hidden in that story. Liking yourself and being yourself is something that readers of all ages might need to learn, and be reminded of on a regular basis. This book can help with that, and make you smile about it the whole time.

Diana Gabaldon’s Outlander to be a Cable Series on Starz

/ Louise / Leave a comment

Fans of the Outlander series by Diana Gabaldon have longed for the books to be adapted for the screen since the first novel was published in 1991. The 7 books (with an 8th due later this year) defy genre categorization, containing elements of romance, fantasy/time travel, and historical fiction. Thy are epic in scale, rivaling  George R. R. Martin’s “Song of Ice and Fire” series for sheer page-count.

Ron Moore, creator of ‘Battlestar Galactica’, is on board to helm the new “Outlander” series for the Starz cable network. Set to unfold over 16 episodes, Outlander tells the story of married World War II combat nurse Claire, who accidentally steps back in time to the year 1743 where she is “immediately thrown into an unknown world of adventure that sends her on the run and threatens her life.” The ‘Outlander’ series of books have sold over 20 million copies.

As a huge fan of these books, I was both thrilled and wary when Ms. Gabaldon announced at BEA 2013 that Outlander would finally  be adapted for the screen. So often, books we love don’t measure up when made into movies or television series. Still, I’ll be watching!

Linda reads: Cowboy Take Me Away by Jane Graves

/ Linda / 1 Comment

After surviving a horrific childhood, Luke Dawson leaves Rainbow Valley, Texas determined to forget the past, including a childhood friend, Shannon North.  Luke becomes a bull rider and is destined for the world championship.  He decides to come back to town for the funeral of his father and maybe some closure on his past.

Shannon North left a high power, high paying job as a CPA to return to her roots in Rainbow Valley and take over the Rainbow Valley Animal Shelter.  She worked there during her teens and it holds a special place in her heart.  The shelter is now run down, overcrowded and dependent on donations.  Shannon is hoping her experience in the finance world will help pull her beloved shelter from ruin.  She and Luke have a past that ended badly, and she avoids his father’s funeral.

Luke’s plans are to leave town as soon as the funeral is over, but decides to take a look at the property and home his father left behind.  Maybe if he goes into the house, he can erase some of the demons plaguing him.  But as he tries to take that first step onto the worn porch, he crashes through and injures his knee.  Luckily, Shannon drives by and suddenly they are thrown together whether they like it or not.

What follows is a painful, inspiring, hopeful journey where both Luke and Shannon have to overcome obstacles from their past and try to build on the feelings they reluctantly still feel for one another.   Luke grows from an obstinate, juvenile delinquent to a charismatic, caring adult.  He’s determined to show everyone in town that he is not his father’s son.  Shannon struggles with her perception of him (helped along by an overbearing mother) and some of her own issues from her past.  You can really feel this couple’s pain and will find yourself holding your breath for a happy outcome.

This story also includes some wonderful secondary characters in the towns’ people, an interesting legend, and the animals that are housed at the animal shelter bring an added extra dimension to the story.

This book fits in perfectly with the popularity of small town romances.  It is heartwarming, inspiring and very entertaining.

Allons-y! To the Foreign Language Books!

/ Susan O. / Leave a comment

Did you know the Cheshire library has a wonderful collection of books printed in foreign languages? From Histoire de la Mafia by Gaetano 20130522-140621.jpgFalzone, to Charlotte Link’s Das Haus der Schwestern, there is a wide variety of both fiction and non-fiction books in French, German, and Spanish. These are located in a special area of the upstairs Moss Room; just ask and we’ll be happy to open it for you.

In the children’s room, there are beginning storybooks and alphabet books in Russian, Spanish, Latin, French, and Chinese. We are also able to request books in Russian, Polish, and more from surrounding libraries.

world-map

If listening to language is more your style, check out an audiobook to learn a new language or improve your skills in Spanish, Italian, Russian, Mandarin, Japanese, Hebrew, and more (Dewey number 468). Are you a foreign speaker trying to learn English? We have discs for that as well. There are audiobook language sets geared for children, too. Prefer an online approach where no one can hear you stumble? Check out the free on-line language programs on our website.

Grab your dictionary, dust off your skills, and with a little practice, you’ll be ready to take on our foreign films without subtitles!

Staff Storytime Selections

/ Sharon Tyler / Leave a comment

You might not know it, but the children’s cataloging office is a very busy place to be. It can also be quite a bit of fun! The number of fantastic picturebooks that cross our desks is absolutely astounding.  Sometimes we are so impressed by a book, or so entertained by it, that a staff storytime must be held and some of the new favorites shared. Here are some of the favorites from recent staff storytimes.

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Skippyjon Jones Cirque de Olé

 Skippyjon Jones Cirque de Olé  is one of many books we have enjoyed from Judith Byron Schachner. In this book about everyone’s favorite Siamese cat that pretends to be a Chihuahua, we see him wanting to perform his high-wire act in the circus. If you get your hands on a copy of this, or any Skippyjon book, with the CD of the author reading the story to you I highly recommend it!

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Swim, Swim

Swim, Swim by Lerch (also known as James Proimos) is a picturebook about a fish named Lerch. He is very lonely and in search of a friend. After trying to befriend some unreceptive, inanimate, and unusual creatures he finally finds a friend.

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The hair of Zoe Fleefenbacher Goes to School

Then there is The Hair of Zoe Fleefenbacher Goes to School by Laurie Halse Anderson. The hair of this young girl reminds me of my daughter’s – thick and unruly. This young girl’s talented, but mostly untamed, tresses do not impress her strict first-grade teacher, who has rules for everything, including hair.

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Otis and the Tornado

One of our most recent favorites is Otis and the Tornado by Loren Long about Otis the tractor. When a tornado threatens the farm, Otis tries to save all of the animals, including the unfriendly bull.

Some other authors that frequent our storytimes are Bob Shea, Mo Willems, and Amy Krouse Rosenthal.  Do you have a favorite picturebook or picturebook author?