• Reviews

    Crankenstein

    Everyone has a Crankenstein day once in a while and this fun story can actually help parents talk to their kids about being cranky in a fun way!  A Crankenstein “is a monster of grumpiness that no one can destroy! “The story tells the reader where you  might find Crankenstein…

  • Reviews

    A Corner of White

    There were two things that made me want to read this book – the fist was the cover, I love all the bright colors and it looked like something right up my alley.  The second was the author’s last name, I’m a little bit of a Sherlock fan and with…

  • Lifestyle

    Apps in the Library

    I’ve been wrestling with this idea for awhile now, apps in the library, but I’ve finally figured out my personal viewpoint on them.  For a long time it was advised to keep young children (under the age of 2) from screens, but in today’s screen-needy world, that’s almost impossible.  And…

  • Lifestyle

    Public Library’s Online Presence

    I was lucky enough to hear David Lee King speak on Tuesday about public libraries and technology with a focus on how to create a positive customer experience in the library as well as online.  David Lee King  is the Digital Services Director at the Topeka – Shawnee County Public…

  • Reviews

    The Thing About Luck

    Cynthia Kadohata, a Newbery Award-winning author of Kira-Kira, brings another story about the strength of a family.  Summer’s parents must fly to Japan to take care of some elderly relatives, leaving 12-year old Summer and her brother Jaz with their grandparents – strict Obaachan and quiet, kind Jiichan during the…

  • Reviews

    The True Blue Scouts of Sugar Man Swamp

    If you love classic storytelling and tall tales about creatures that such as The Abominable Snowman, the Yeti, and the Loch Ness Monster, then The True Blue Scouts of Sugar Man Swamp is the book for you.  Kathi Applet uses a narrator that feels just like he’s talking to the…

  • Lifestyle

    Boys in School – Too Hostile?

    An article posted on Time yesterday discusses the possibility of boys being too hostile in school, that’s right too hostile. I’m sure you’ve see the articles about 7-year olds being suspended for school for playing the classic “Cops and Robbers” game at recess. This has happened with more frequency in…

  • Reviews

    Eleanor & Park

    This book cover has bee intriguing to me for the past couple of months and I finally got a chance to read the book last week.  A story of love found in the most unlikely of places is one that I rarely can put down.  This is a universal story…

  • Lifestyle

    Beyond Books… Library lending

    My boyfriend sends me links on just about anything, things he’s interested, things he thinks I might be interested in, sometimes random things that I can’t make sense of.  But, he’s always really good about sending me links to articles about all things library-related.  A few days ago he sent…

  • Activities

    Digger Day

    I’ve seen a couple similar posts in the past few weeks and I think most of my fellow public librarians understand – I’ve hit my summer reading wall!  I’m thoroughly exhausted and am tired of trying to keep everything in the same theme!  Thankfully, last night was our last “big”…