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Check It Out
Find a listing of the latest arrivals of books, audio and video items at the Wauwatosa Library, as well as information on upcoming events and staff suggestions for timely information you can use every day on the library’s blog.
November 2007 - Posts
By Wauwatosa Public Library
Tuesday, Nov 27 2007, 02:21 PM
The three major American holidays that always occur in December are Christmas, Hanukkah, and Kwanzaa. The choices of books connected with these holidays are many and varied. Some of the favorite classic December holiday books have to do with “heart.”
 A Christmas Carol by Charles Dickens is a classic example of a story showing the “heart” of Christmas: goodwill, generosity and kindness. One reason that A Christmas Carol is so touching is that most people have had or known someone who has had holidays where they feel “Bah! Humbug!” And all of us have felt “grinchy” on occasion. Dr. Seuss’s The Grinch Who Stole Christmas is one of the best stories for young children on this theme. In the beginning of the story the Grinch has a very small heart; not only does he resent other people celebrating Christmas, he actually tries to stop Christmas from happening by stealing all the presents, decorations and food, including the “roast beast.” At the end, he realizes that Christmas will happen in spite of a lack of presents, decorations and food. “The Grinch’s small heart grows three sizes that day” as he learns that the true meaning of Christmas is good will and enjoyment of others’ gladness during the holidays.
Herschel and the Hanukkah Goblins by Eric S. Kimmel describes Herschel’s triumph over the goblins which try to prevent the village people from celebrating Hanukkah. Through perseverance and cleverness, Herschel banishes the scary goblins from the synagogue each evening, thereby insuring that the menorah candles burn throughout the eight days of Hanukkah. This story reflects the miracle that happened in 165 B.C. during the rededication of the Temple in Jerusalem, when one day’s oil burned for 8 days. Herschel, like many main characters in Hanukkah stories, has “heart,” meaning courage and determination.
It’s Kwanzaa Time by Linda Goss is an excellent introduction to Kwanzaa, which is a celebration of the “heart” of a people and the individual. Stories, poems, songs, recipes and a craft depict the importance of the seven principles of Kwanzaa: Unity, self-determination, collective work and responsibility, cooperative economics, purpose, creativity and faith. The seven stories clarify the principles in a way that young children can understand. For example, the unity story is about seven brothers working together to achieve family unity. The styles of several distinguished African-American illustrators, including Ashley Bryan, Leo and Diane Dillon, and Jerry Pinkney, visually portray varied facets of African and African-American heritage.
The holiday theme in the Children’s Library this December is “Heartfelt Holidays.” Please visit the library to view the decorations and check-out a few “heart-warming” books.
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By Wauwatosa Public Library
Friday, Nov 2 2007, 02:42 PM
A lot of cooking and eating goes on during the months of November and December. Whether you’re celebrating Thanksgiving, Hanukkah, Christmas or Kwanzaa, the holidays bring family and friends together and food to the table. Many of you have favorite family recipes that you prepare and look forward to enjoying year after year. But, if you're looking for something a little different this year, the following are just some of the brand new cookbooks you’ll find at the library that just might tempt you to try something new:
Best Make-Ahead Recipe/Cook’s Illustrated Magazine
Christmas with Paula Deen/Paula Deen
Essential Baker: the Comprehensive Guide to Baking with Chocolate, Fruit, Nuts, Spices and Other Ingredients/Carole Bloom
Fruits of the Harvest: Recipes to Celebrate Kwanzaa and Other Holidays/Eric Copage
How to Cook a Turkey: and All the Other Trimmings/Fine Cooking Magazine
I’m Dreaming of a Chocolate Christmas/Marcel Desaulniers
Jewish Cooking for All Seasons: Fresh, Flavorful Kosher Recipes for Holidays and Every Day/Laura Frankel
Pillsbury Holiday Baking: Treats Filled with Cheer for a Magical Time of Year
Taste of Home Baking Book: Timeless Recipes from Trusted Home Cooks
Thanksgiving 101: Celebrate America’s Favorite Holiday with America’s Thanksgiving Expert/Rick Rodgers
Twist of the Wrist: Quick Flavorful Meals with Ingredients From Jars, Cans, Bags, and Boxes/Nancy Silverton
Ultimate Cookie Book/Better Homes and Gardens
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By Wauwatosa Public Library
Friday, Nov 2 2007, 02:33 PM
Books
Blood Sweat and Cheers: Great Football Rivalries of the Big Ten by Todd Mishler
Book of the Dead by Patricia Cornwell
Classics for Pleasure by Michael Dirda
Elephant’s Secret Sense: the Hidden Life of the Wild Herds by Caitlin O’Connell
Gulf Music by Robert Pinsky
Marco Polo: From Venice to Xanadu by Laurence Bergreen
Master of Sales: Secrets From Top Sales Professionals That Will Transform You Into a World Class Salesperson by Ivan Misner
No Country for Old Men by Cormac McCarthy
Schulz and Peanuts by David Michaelis
Strength Training Past 50 by Wayne Westcott
Books on CD
Alibi Man by Tami Hoag
Cat O’Nine Tales and Other Stories by Jeffrey Archer
Cat Who Had 60 Whiskers by Lilian Jackson Braun
What Is the What by Dave Eggers
World Without End by Ken Follett
DVDs
Closer. Complete Second Season
Dog Whisperer. Power of the Pack
Evan Almighty
Lives of Others
Mr. Brooks
Music on CD
Echoes, Silence, Patience & Grace/Foo Fighters
High Society/Canadian Brass
Song In My Heart/Bryn Terfel
Tale of God’s Will: (a Requiem for Katrina)/Terence Blanchard
Very Best of Isaac Hayes/Isaac Hayes
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By Wauwatosa Public Library
Friday, Nov 2 2007, 02:30 PM
The first musical instrument in human history was probably a member of the percussion family. This group includes any device that makes a sound when it is hit, shaken or scraped—drums, bells, chimes, cymbals, wood blocks, congas, pianos, xylophones, washboards, whips, pistols, typewriters—to just name a few. Percussion is often the heartbeat of musical ensembles -- setting the pace and keeping the tune in time. Drums, the most ubiquitous, have many uses including communicating over long distances, motivating troops, inspiring emotion, and providing color, texture and rhythm in music.
The Crusaders brought kettledrums to Europe from the Middle East in the 12th or 13th century. Kettledrums, also known as timpani, are now a staple in classical orchestras and many types of music ensembles. Jean-Baptiste Lully, a French composer who lived in the 17th century, wrote the first known score for timpani in 1675. During the 19th century, percussion instruments became an important part of the orchestra, as can be heard in the works of Beethoven, Brahms, Tschaikovsky and Wagner. Hector Berlioz, a French composer who was born in 1803, further enlarged and diversified the percussion section. He created a percussion orchestra within the orchestra and one of his works uses crash and ride cymbals, large bass drums, tenor drums, kettledrums and church bells.
By the end of the 20th century, the percussion section had evolved into a major part of the orchestra, both in size and role. Knowledge of non-European music, greater interest in rhythm and increasing awareness of environmental noise had fostered an appreciation for a seemingly infinite variety of percussion instruments.
The Milwaukee Symphony Orchestra (MSO) Percussion Duo will perform at the Wauwatosa Civic Center on Saturday, November 17, 2007 from 1:30 – 2:15 pm. Music, sound effects and the story of Where the Wild Things Are will introduce children to the expressive capabilities of percussion instruments. This program is best for students in kindergarten through 8th grades, but everyone is welcome. Please register at the Children’s Reference Desk or call: 414-471-8486.
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By Wauwatosa Public Library
Friday, Nov 2 2007, 02:22 PM
"I have never been especially impressed by the heroics of people convinced that they are about to change the world. I am more awed by...those who...struggle to make one small difference after another."
- Ellen Goodman, American journalist
And, what a difference our library volunteers make! Have you ever reserved a book? Chances are, a volunteer retrieved the book from the shelf.
Do you come to the library to get your tax forms? Library volunteers help stock the shelves with forms during tax season and file the reproducible forms throughout the year.
Have you ever checked out anything from the pamphlet file? The library has volunteers that help with the copying, filing and maintenance of the file.
Do you know who helps straighten the shelves after a busy day at the library? Our volunteers.
Library volunteers help the library in these and so many other ways. These generous, hardworking people love the library and make it possible for the library staff to provide the best possible service to our library users
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