Animal Explorers: Party with the Penguins

 

 

Hey everybody! Welcome to this meeting of Animal Explorers! I'm Ms. Meghan, and for fifteen years I was an animal keeper at different zoos.  Now that I'm here at the Galesburg Public Library, we're going to explore the animal kingdom together! Each month you can pick up a Animal Explorers kit and become an expert on a new animal! Then you can come and talk about it at our club meeting.

This month we're going to party with the penguins! World Penguin Day is April 25th and we're teaming up with Penguins International to bring you some great educational material! There are 18 species of penguin and they almost all live in the Southern Hemisphere. What's one thing you learned about penguins? Tell the club in the comments below. 

Animal Explorers: It's Not Easy Being Green

 

 Hey everybody! Welcome to this meeting of Animal Explorers! I'm Ms. Meghan, and for fifteen years I was an animal keeper at different zoos.  Now that I'm here at the Galesburg Public Library, we're going to explore the animal kingdom together! Each month you can pick up a Animal Explorers kit and become an expert on a new animal! Then you can come and talk about it at our club meeting.

This month we're going to interface about frogs (and why there are no synonyms for 'talk' that start with the letter f)! There are about 7300 frog species, making up over 80% of all amphibian species! What's one thing you learned about frogs? Tell the club in the comments below. 

Thornwood

Thornwood

by Leah Cypess

New York: Random House Children's, 2021

 

This middle grade debut is Sleeping Beauty like you've never seen it before, about a girl who lives in the shadow of her older sister and the curse that has haunted her from birth.

For years, Briony has lived in the shadow of her beautiful older sister, Rosalin, and the curse that has haunted her from birth--that on the day of her sixteenth birthday she would prick her finger on a spindle and cause everyone in the castle to fall into a 100-year sleep. When the day the curse is set to fall over the kingdom finally arrives, nothing--not even Briony--can stop its evil magic.

You know the story.

But here's something you don't know. When Briony finally wakes up, it's up to her to find out what's really going on, and to save her family and friends from the murderous Thornwood. But who is going to listen to her? This is a story of sisterhood, of friendship, and of the ability of even little sisters to forge their own destiny. The first in a three-book series of fairy tale retellings, these are the stories of the siblings who never made it into the storybook.

 

This is a gorgeous, dark retelling of Sleeping Beauty, focusing on sisterhood and saving your own self and family, rather than waiting for someone to do it for you. Illusions abound and the encroaching thorns genuinely creeped me out. There's twists and turns and lost memories, and whoever said fairy godmothers had to be good? I definitely recommend this for fairy tale lovers who can handle darkness and danger, and I look forward to the author's next book. 

Thornwood will be available from Galesburg Public Library after its April 6, 2021 publication. 

Thank you to NetGalley and Random House Children's for the ARC.   

Animal Explorers: On Beyond Groundhog!

 

Hey everybody! Welcome to this meeting of Animal Explorers! I'm Ms. Meghan, and for fifteen years I was an animal keeper at different zoos.  Now that I'm here at the Galesburg Public Library, we're going to explore the animal kingdom together! Each month you can pick up a Animal Explorers kit and become an expert on a new animal! Then you can come and talk about it at our club meeting.

This month we're going to rhapsodize about rodents! There are about 1400 rodent species, making up over a quarter of all mammal species! Which species did you become an expert in? What's one thing you learned about your rodent? Which rodent species is your favorite? Tell the club in the comments below. 

Animal Explorers: Bundle Up with Polar Animals

 

 Hey everybody! Welcome to this meeting of Animal Explorers! I'm Ms. Meghan, and for fifteen years I was an animal keeper at different zoos.  Now that I'm here at the Galesburg Public Library, we're going to explore the animal kingdom together! Each month you can pick up a Animal Explorers kit and become an expert on a new animal! Then you can come and talk about it at our club meeting.

This month we're going to bundle up and learn about polar animals. Which species did you become an expert in? What's one thing you learned about your species? Which polar animal is your favorite? Tell the club in the comments below. 

Kid Review: Eleanor, Alice, and the Roosevelt Ghosts

 

Eleanor, Alice, and the Roosevelt Ghosts

By Dianne K. Salerni

New York: Holiday Housem 2020.

From the Publisher: It's 1898 in New York City and ghosts exist among humans.When an unusual spirit takes up residence at the Roosevelt house, thirteen-year-old Eleanor and fourteen-year-old Alice are suspicious. The cousins don't get along, but they know something is not right. This ghost is more than a pesky nuisance. The authorities claim he's safe to be around, even as his mischievous behavior grows stranger and more menacing. It's almost like he wants to scare the Roosevelts out of their home - and no one seems to care! Meanwhile, Eleanor and Alice discover a dangerous ghost in the house where Alice was born and her mother died. Is someone else haunting the family? Introverted Eleanor and unruly Alice develop an unlikely friendship as they explore the family's dark, complicated history. It's up to them to destroy both ghosts and come to terms with their family's losses.

Reviewed by: Elinor, age 9.

This book was pretty good. I do think it was pretty scary so I guess the right age group would be 9 and up. I liked how the cover featured the ghost lamp. I think the way the cover and the words on the back at first glance make the book look A LOT less scary. I was surprised at the end. If you look very close at the cover you might be able to tell it was scary but the cover told a story which I really liked. Overall I would give it four stars and I would recommend it to others. 

Animal Explorers: Oh Deer!

 

Hey everybody! Welcome to this meeting of Animal Explorers! I'm Ms. Meghan, and for fifteen years I was an animal keeper at different zoos.  Now that I'm here at the Galesburg Public Library, we're going to explore the animal kingdom together! Each month you can pick up a Animal Explorers kit and become an expert on a new animal! Then you can come and talk about it at our club meeting.

This month we're going to discuss deer! Several species are familiar to us, like our own white-tailed deer, as well as moose, reindeer, and elk. Which species did you become an expert in? What's one thing you learned about your deer? Which deer species is your favorite? Tell the club in the comments below. 

City of the Plague God

City of the Plague God

by Sarwat Chadda

New York: Disney Hyperion, 2021

 

Thirteen-year-old Sik wants a simple life going to school and helping at his parents' deli in the evenings. But all that is blown to smithereens when Nergal comes looking for him, thinking that Sik holds the secret to eternal life. Turns out Sik is immortal but doesn't know it, and that's about to get him and the entire city into deep, deep trouble.

Sik's not in this alone. He's got Belet, the adopted daughter of Ishtar, the goddess of love and war, on his side, and a former hero named Gilgamesh, who has taken up gardening in Central Park. Now all they have to do is retrieve the Flower of Immortality to save Manhattan from being wiped out by disease. To succeed, they'll have to conquer sly demons, treacherous gods, and their own darkest nightmares.

First, let's just take a moment to look at that cover. Even if I didn't love the Rick Riordan Presents imprint, I would have picked this up based on that image alone. I've been looking forward to this one for awhile, and was fortunate enough to see Sarwat in a virtual panel earlier this fall. This novel focuses on the deities and mythology of Mesopotamia. City of the Plague God follows Sikander Aziz, the son of Iraqi Muslim immigrants, as he works in their deli and continues to process the loss of his older brother, who died two years ago. His world is disrupted when minions of Nergal, the god of disease and war appear, demanding the treasure his brother stole. What follows is an action packed tale as disease and pestilence grips the city, while Sik finds himself in the company of Belet and Ishtar. Themes of family, loss, and prejudice are masterfully woven throughout. It's always wonderful to see less familiar mythologies get a chance to shine in these books, and this is one of the best examples. City of the Plague God is highly recommended for Percy Jackson, mythology, and adventure fans of all ages. It will be available from Galesburg Public Library after the January 5, 2021 release date.  Thank you very much to NetGalley and Disney Hyperion for the ARC. 

Animal Explorers: Let's Talk Turkey (and Other Game Birds)

 

Hey everybody! Welcome to this meeting of Animal Explorers! I'm Ms. Meghan, and for fifteen years I was an animal keeper at different zoos.  Now that I'm here at the Galesburg Public Library, we're going to explore the animal kingdom together! Each month you can pick up a Animal Explorers kit and become an expert on a new animal! Then you can come and talk about it at our club meeting.

This month we're going to talk turkey. And chickens. And peafowl. And...grouse? It's Game Bird month! Which species did you become an expert in? What's one thing you learned about your bird? Which game bird species is your favorite? Tell the club in the comments below. 

Animal Explorers: Primates

 

Hey everybody! Welcome to this meeting of Animal Explorers! I'm Ms. Meghan, and for fifteen years I was an animal keeper at different zoos.  Now that I'm here at the Galesburg Public Library, we're going to explore the animal kingdom together! Each month you can pick up a Animal Explorers kit and become an expert on a new animal! Then you can come and talk about it at our club meeting.

This month we're going to prattle about primates. World Lemur Day is on October 30, and we're teaming up with Lemur Conservation Network to learn, share, and act to save primates together. Which species did you become an expert in? What's one thing you learned about your primate? Which primate species is your favorite? Tell the club in the comments below.  

 

 

STEM to You: Science Starter Pack

Hello Stem to You members! This post will be your portal to our interactive participation for the Science Starter Pack event.

Now that you've drawn your scientists, tell us about them in the comments! Use three descriptive words to complete the sentence 'my scientist is ___'. What kind of scientist did you draw? What are they doing? Where are they working? What is similar and different about other people's scientists? If you want, post the drawing of you as a scientist, too!

You can watch the video on how to make you paper rockets here.

Here is a page with detailed biographies for the scientists who were featured on the collage. There's information on each one of them, as well as where you can find out more information about them and the fascinating work that they're doing.

The Galesburg Public Library has a lot of books on science and scientists. Here are a few to check out that tie in to this activity.

Marvelous Mattie
by Emily Arnold McCully
New York: Farrar, Straus and Giroux, 2006 

Mattie could sketch and build just about anything. When she was only twelve years old, she came up with a metal guard on looms that kept workers from being injured and killed. As an adult, she invented a machine to make the square bottom paper bags that we still use today. However, a man tried to steal her idea and challenged her in court, saying she "could not possibly understand the mechanical complexities." Mattie proved him wrong and won her case!

 Mae Among the Stars
by Roda Ahmed
New York: HarperCollins, 2018

Inspired by the life story of Mae Jemison, the first black woman in space, this wonderful book teaches you how to dream big and follow your heart.

Whoosh! Lonnie Johnson's Super-Soaking Stream of Inventions
by Chris Barton
Watertown, MA: Charlesbridge, 2016

Lonnie Johnson invented the mechanics for the Super Soaker entirely by accident. In his bathroom. While trying to create a new cooling system for refrigerators and air conditioners. This is just one of the many inventions and projects he's worked on in his career as an engineer, including powering the spacecraft Galileo that explored Jupiter. 


Did you know you can sign up for a Galesburg Public Library card online? Just visit the link here to get started?

Animal Explorers: Cats

Hey everybody! Welcome to the first meeting of Animal Explorers! I'm Ms. Meghan, and for fifteen years I was an animal keeper at different zoos.  Now that I'm here at the Galesburg Public Library, we're going to explore the animal kingdom together! Each month you can pick up a Animal Explorers kit and become an expert on a new animal! Then you can come and talk about it at our club meeting.

This month we're going to chat about cats. Which species did you become an expert in? What's one thing you learned about your cat? Which cat species is your favorite? Tell the club in the comments below. 

Once Upon a Unicorn

Once Upon a Unicorn
by Lou Anders
New York: Crown Books for Young Readers, 2020  

"I don't think everything that is beautiful is beautiful. Not really. And I think a lot of things that aren't beautiful really are."

Everyone knows that unicorns are beautiful and golden and don't really think about much besides themselves. And everyone also knows that night mares are mean and fairies are always good. Right? So what happens when a unicorn with a Scientific Mind meets a night mare who's determined to prove that she's just as Good as any unicorn? Oh, and there's a guy with a pumpkin for a head who's trying to catch them, too.

So, I've been with obsessed with unicorns since I was about, oh, three years old or so, and I think it's safe to say it may be a life long condition. I was very excited to get an ARC (Advanced Reader Copy) of this book. A unicorn with a Scientific Mind AND a night mare AND a fairy queen whose personality may be more aligned with the original fairy folk than Disney (those tales were originally warnings, after all)? I am absolutely in. Curious the unicorn is trying to conduct an experiment when he encounters Midnight the night mare, who has her own Plan. The two soon end up saving each other from Jack o' the Hunt, a pumpkin-headed entity who wants the two horses for his own reasons. Curious and Midnight must put aside their prejudices and work together to save their world. I really enjoyed this book. It's a longer chapter book that's recommended for grades 3-7 by the publisher. The characters are well-written, and I honestly didn't see one of the twists until shortly before the reveal. A lot of people think unicorns are only for girls, but this book will appeal to all readers. Once Upon a Unicorn will be available soon from Galesburg Public Library. Thank you to Crown Books for Young Readers and NetGalley for the ARC.

Prairie Lotus

Prairie Lotus
By Linda Sue Park
Boston: Clarion Books, 2020 

Hannah and her father are moving to the town of LaForge in Dakota Territory in 1880. Hannah is excited to set up their dress good shops, and maybe show Pa that she's a good enough seamstress to start sewing dresses for the ladies in town. But Hannah is very aware of the fact that she looks different from the other townspeople. Her late mother was Chinese and she and Pa have had to move away from other towns before because of it. Can LaForge be their final stop?

Author Linda Sue Park loved the Little House on the Prairie series growing up, but knew in her heart that Ma would never let Laura play with her because she was Asian. Prairie Lotus is influenced by that series, told through a different set of eyes. Experienced readers will recognize landmarks and some familiar faces in the town of LaForge, but previous experience with Wilder's work isn't necessary. This is a wonderfully written book in a familiar setting, told in a new and necessary voice. I highly recommend it for both fans of the Little House books and anyone looking for a fantastic piece of historical fiction with a female lead. 

Dragon Pearl

Dragon Pearl
by Yoon Ha Lee
New York: Disney Hyperion, 2019

Kim Min is a thirteen year old fox spirit, affecting a human appearance, and living with her family on the settler planet of Jinju. Her mother has always discouraged her from using her fox magic, like Charm and shape shifting. Foxes are not highly regarded by other supernatural beings or humans. But when her brother Jun is reported as a military deserter, Min must use all of her tricks if she's going to find him and clear his name.

Okay, this is Korean folklore and magic and fox spirits and dragons and goblins. In space. What more could you ask for? This is another wonderful afternoon escape from the Rick Riordan Presents imprint. I can honestly say I've never read a space opera like this, and I'm looking forward to the second book set in the same world. It should absolutely be noted that one of the main secondary characters uses they/them pronouns, as do other minor characters. And just look at that cover. Dragon Pearl is available for curbside pickup through the Galesburg Public Library and through the Libby app.

100th Anniversary of the Ratification of the 19th Amendment

August 18 marks the 100th anniversary of the ratification of the 19th Amendment, which prohibited states and the federal government from denying women the right to vote based on their sex. Introduced into Congress back in 1878, this amendment represents decades of meeting, protests, letter writing campaigns, hunger strikes, marches, and more. Even after 1920, Black, Native American, Latina, and Asian American women were still unable to vote until decades later due to state laws and other barriers.

In honor of this momentous anniversary, we've collected our favorite books on voting and women's suffrage. We hope that you'll check them out through our curbside pickup program!


Go Vote, Baby!
by Nancy Lambert
New York: HarperFestival, 2020 

A fantastic first voting book, this board book has sliders allowing the readers to vote on important issues like cats vs. dogs and ice cream vs. cake.

Equality's Call: The Story of Voting Rights in America
by Deborah Diesen
San Diego: Beach Lane Books, 2020 

 A right isn't right
Till it's granted to all

Through rhyming verse, this book provides a look at the history of voting rights in America. While representation was supposed to be a strength of our new nation, in truth only white men who owned property were initially able to vote. But over the years, through the struggles and efforts of many people, more and more Americans were able to vote and make their voice heard.

Vote for Our Future!
by Margaret McNamara
New York: Schwartz and Wade, 2020

'Every two years, on the first Tuesday of November, Stanton Elementary School closes for the day. For vacation? Nope! For repairs? No way! Stanton Elementary School closes so that it can transform itself into a polling station. People can come from all over to vote for the people who will make laws for the country. Sure, the Stanton Elementary School students might be too young to vote themselves, but that doesn't mean they can't encourage their parents, friends, and family to vote! After all, voting is how this country sees change--and by voting today, we can inspire tomorrow's voters to change the future.' 

Susan B. Anthony: Her Fight for Equal Rights
by Monica Kulling
New York: Random House Books for Young Readers, 2020 

This biography is aimed at beginning readers and tells the story of one of the leaders of the woman's suffrage movement.

History Smashers: Women's Right to Vote
by Kate Messner
New York: Random House Books for Young Readers, 2020 

'Myths! Lies! Secrets! Smash the stories behind famous moments in history and expose the hidden truth. Perfect for fans of I Survived and Nathan Hale's Hazardous Tales.

In 1920, Susan B. Anthony passed a law that gave voting rights to women in the United States. RIGHT?

WRONG! Susan B. Anthony wasn't even alive when the Nineteenth Amendment was ratified. Plus, it takes a lot more than one person to amend the constitution.

The truth is, it took millions of women to get that amendment into law. They marched! They picketed! They even went to jail. But in the end, it all came down to a letter from a state representative's mom. No joke.'

The Woman's Hour (Adapted for Young Readers): Our Fight for the Right to Vote
by Elaine Weiss
New York: Random House Books for Young Readers, 2020 

'This adaptation of the book Hillary Clinton calls "a page-turning drama and an inspiration" will spark the attention of young readers and teach them about activism, civil rights, and the fight for women's suffrage--just in time for the 100th anniversary of the ratification of the Nineteenth Amendment. Includes an eight-page photo insert!'

Primer

Primer
by Jennifer Muro & Thomas Krajewski, art by Gretel Lusky
Burbank, CA: DC Comics, 2020

Ashley Rayburn has been bouncing around foster homes for the past several years, after her father got sent to prison. But now she's found a good fit with the Nolans, and has even made a friend at school. But trouble seems to follow her, and she finds a case full of body paints that grant superpowers to the wearer. Now she's trying to balance her alter-ego 'Primer' with her new 'normal' life, while the government and its soldiers are searching for the missing paint.

I absolutely loved this graphic novel! It was a quick read, less than an hour, but thoroughly engrossing. It's set in the DC universe, but you don't need to have any prior knowledge of it going in. As to be expected with the subject material, the artwork and colors are simply gorgeous. The characters are well-written, the humor is great, and the ending is set up for a sequel that I really hope will be coming out soon. Highly recommended to graphic novel and comic book fans.

You can request this book for curbside pickup by using our on-line card catalog or calling the Galesburg Public Library.  

International Tiger Day

Since its inception in 2010 at the Saint Petersburg Tiger Summit, International Tiger Day has been celebrated on July 29 each year . It's a day to promote global conservation to protect tiger habitat, and raise public support and awareness for tiger conservation.

I was an animal keeper before I came to Galesburg Public Library, and over the years I've had the incredible opportunity to work with Bengal tigers at Nashville Zoo (including hand rearing cubs), Sumatran tigers at Topeka Zoo, and Amur (Siberian) tigers at Peoria Zoo. Even after almost 20 years, being near them would still make me catch my breath.

In celebration of these gorgeous stripey cats, here are some of our greatest tiger books. When You Trap a Tiger by Tae Keller is the story of Lily, who is caring for her ailing Korean grandmother. A magical tiger, from one of her grandmother's stories, appears and offers her a trade: her grandmother's health in exchange for what she stole from the tigers long ago. But can tigers be trusted? In Camp Tiger, a young boy sets off on his annual camping trip with his family, but this year, things are a little different, and he finds himself sharing a tent with a tiger. Finally, we've got a great nonfiction section, and Tigers by Patricia Janes is chock full with facts and information in an easily readable format.

Be sure to check out these and other books at Galesburg Public Library! Happy International Tiger Day!

Children's Book List: Funny Books for Kids

During these Interesting Times, the Children's Department has been hard at work updating our book lists. Whether you're looking for a book on a particular topic (like feeling different) or want to read something similar to that series that you just finished up (and now have that empty, lost feeling), we've probably got a book list for that. You can find the full list of our children's book lists on our website. We've also put all of these awesome lists on Beanstack. If you haven't had a chance to check out Beanstack, you really should. We'll be highlighting some of our book lists in these blog posts throughout the summer. Happy reading!

We could all use a laugh right now. Featured below are three of our favorite funny books. Our reading list has more picture, chapter, and nonfiction books to explore.

The Society of Distinguished Lemmings
by Julie Colombet
Atlanta: Peachtree, 2020 

The Society of Distinguished Lemmings has many rules. Always act in a distinguished manner. No climbing. No mud. No questioning the rules. Bertie the lemming has had enough and goes outside where he meets a bear. The bear doesn't know about the rules, and Bertie finds that he likes climbing and mud and other undistinguished things. When the other lemmings meet the bear, they try to make him follow the rules. Can the bear ever be distinguished?  Does he need to be?




Tales of a Fourth Grade Nothing

by Judy Blume
New York: Dutton, 1972

Peter Hatcher is in the fourth grade in New York City in the 1970s. And his life is pretty good: he's got a best friend, he's got a turtle named Dribble. But he also has a two-year old brother named Fudge (short for Farley Drexel) who is making his life miserable. 







I'm Just No Good at Rhyming and Other Nonsense for Mischievous Kids and Immature Grownups
by Chris Harris
New York: Little, Brown Books for Young Readers, 2017 

Reminiscent of the very best of Shel Silverstein and Dr. Seuss, this madcap book combines poems of all shapes, sizes, and types with fantastic illustrations. Highlights include 'The Gecko', 'The Frog Race', and 'Worst. Birthday Party. Ever.'

 

Children's Book List: And the Winner Is: Children’s Books About Contests and Competitions

During these Interesting Times, the Children's Department has been hard at work updating our book lists. Whether you're looking for a book on a particular topic (like feeling different) or want to read something similar to that series that you just finished up (and now have that empty, lost feeling), we've probably got a book list for that. You can find the full list of our children's book lists on our website. We've also put all of these awesome lists on Beanstack. If you haven't had a chance to check out Beanstack, you really should. It makes signing up for and monitoring summer reading a breeze! We'll be highlighting some of our book lists in these blog posts throughout the summer. Happy reading!

It's not a competition, but you're winning! From dog shows to talent shows to spelling bees, we've got books that tell stories of contests and competitions.

Clifford the Champion
by Norman Bridwell
New York: Cartwheel Books, 2009

 Clifford the Big Red Dog is back! He's trying to become America's Super Dog! But there's a tough competitor named Champ who does everything perfectly. Can Clifford show that he's a good sport?












The Talent Show: A Mr. and Mrs. Green Adventure
by Keith Baker
San Diego: HMH Books for Young Readers, 2012 

Everyone's favorite alligator couple are back in another adventure! This time they're entering the town's talent show. As alligators do.










The Stupendously Spectacular Spelling Bee
by Deborah Abela
Naperville, IL: Sourcebooks Young Readers, 2018


India Wimple is a spectacular speller. A stupendous speller. But when her family convinces her to audition for her favorite televised spelling bee, she's simply scared. Can she overcome her nerves and the competition to become the champion?