Check It Out

Migration of the Monarch

Wauwatosa Public Library — Tue, 08 Sep 2009 16:43:00 GMT

Birds aren’t the only ones heading south for the winter. Monarch butterflies gather for their annual migration to their wintering grounds in Mexico in late August through September. These butterflies are special; they are the “migration generation” of a 4-generation cycle. Unlike other butterflies, monarchs cannot survive northern winters, even as caterpillars or pupae.

Somehow, monarchs that hatch in late summer are able to live 6-8 months, long enough to make a journey all the way to Mexico for the winter. Traveling 50-100 miles a day, they can take up to two months to reach the mountains in Mexico where they will spend the winter. The following spring, they will leave Mexico and start the return journey to North America. However, very few of them make it back to Wisconsin. Most will mate and lay eggs on the way back. “Generation 1” is the offspring of the monarchs who wintered in Mexico. When the Generation 1 caterpillars become butterflies, they live only 2-6 weeks, but continue to fly north. Generations 2 and 3 do the same. They are the monarchs we see in our gardens during the summer. Generation 4 will be another “migration generation” and will gather in “flocks” to begin the mass migration to Mexico.

Migrating monarchs fly during the day and gather together at night on trees. Depending on weather and other factors, you can expect to see monarchs gathering throughout Wisconsin in September but there is one tree in Milwaukee they seem particularly fond of – a sycamore tree on the “Monarch Trail”. The Monarch Trail starts in the Milwaukee County grounds at the Milwaukee County Parks Building parking lot near 94^th and Watertown Plank Road. More information and a map can be found at the Monarch Trail website: http://www.themonarchtrail.org/.

The Wauwatosa Public Library has a number of books on monarch butterflies. We recommend Four Wings and a Prayer: Caught in the Mystery of the Monarch Butterfly by Sue Halpern (595.78 H163) and Last Monarch Butterfly: Conserving the Monarch Butterfly in a Brave New World by Phillip Schappert (595.78 Sch16L) in the Adult library and in the Children’s library, Monarch and Milkweed by Helen Frost (595.78 F929) and Magnificent Monarchs by Linda Glaser (595.78 G462).

New Additions

Wauwatosa Public Library — Tue, 08 Sep 2009 16:42:00 GMT

  Books

     Amigoland by Oscar Casares
Book Whisperer: Awakening the Inner Reader in Every Child by Donalyn Miller
Compost Specialist: the Essential Guide to Creating and Using Garden Compost, and Using Potting and Seed Composts by David Squire
Coolest Race on Earth: Mud, Madmen, Glaciers, and Grannies at the Antarctica Marathon by John Hanc
Even Money by Dick Francis
Nation of Farmers: Defeating the Food Crisis on American Soil by Sharon Astyk
One Square Inch of Silence: One Man’s Search for Natural Silence in a Noisy World
by Gordon Hempton
Riped: How the Wired Generation Revolutionized Music by Greg Kot
Twenties Girl by Sophie Kinsella
Woman Behind the New Deal: the Life of Francis Perkins, FDR’s Secretary of Labor and his
Moral Conscience by Kirstin Downey

Audiobooks

     Excuses Begone! How to Change Lifelong, Self-Defeating Thinking Habits by Wayne Dyer
My Father’s Tears and Other Stories by John Updike
Plain, Honest Men: the Making of the American Constitution by Richard Beeman
Rain Gods by James Lee Burke
Sweeping Up Glass by Carolyn Wall

DVDs

Confessions of a Shopaholic
Great Buck Howard
Happiness Prescription: the Secret to Experiencing a Joyful Life
Soloist
Watchmen

Music on CD

      Battlefield/Jordin Sparks
Doctor Atomic Symphony/John Adams
Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince: Original Motion Picture Soundtrack
Leave This Town/Daughtry
No One’s First, and You’re Next/Modest Mouse

Lost & Found

Wauwatosa Public Library — Tue, 08 Sep 2009 16:34:32 GMT

Most young children have one: it is often a blanket, a little pillow or a stuffed animal. There are a number of terms for these treasured friends: comfort object, transitional object, security object, security blanket and blankie are the most common, even when it isn’t a blanket.

Charles M. Schulz’s Linus van Pelt in the popular Peanuts comic strip, Kevin Henkes’ Owen in a book of the same name, Marc Brown’s D.W. in the Arthur series and Paulette Bourgeois’ Franklin from Franklin’s Blanket are popular characters who love and carry security blankets. Mo Willems wrote two charming picture books about the mayhem that ensues when a little girl loses her “knuffle bunny” in Knuffle Bunny, A Cautionary Tale and Knuffle Bunny Too: A Case of Mistaken Identity.

When a “security blanket” is lost, the family, often frantic, will spend a serious amount of time trying to find it. Not so with everyday items such as coats, sweaters, hats, boots, shoes, toys and school supplies. Every three to four months, a librarian from the Children’s Department has to remove items from the “Lost & Found” bin that have been left in the library for longer than four months. The same happens in the Circulation Department. If possible, library staff will attempt to identify and contact the owner of an item. Since that isn't always possible, if you think you have lost something in the library, give us a call, we would be happy to help you try to find it.

More picture books about security objects:

The Blanket That Had To Go by Nancy Evans Cooney
The Blanket by John Burningham
Caillou : Where is Teddy? by Joceline Sanschagrin
I Lost My Bear by Jules Feiffer
La La Rose by Satomi Ichikawa
Love, Your Bear, Pete by Dyan Sheldon
Night-night, Emily! by Claire Freedman
Brother by Kathy Mallat
Olivia-- and the Missing Toy by Ian Falconer
Pippo Gets Lost by Helen Oxenbury
Plaidypus Lost by Janet Stevens and Susan Stevens Crummel

State Fair

Wauwatosa Public Library — Mon, 03 Aug 2009 18:05:00 GMT

August is a big month for state fairs! 23 states hold their fairs in August (or mostly in August, some run over Labor Day into September). According to average daily attendance, the Minnesota State Fair is the largest but, because the Texas State Fair runs for a longer period of time, its overall attendance is greater. Last year 872, 458 people attended our Wisconsin State Fair. Our fair may not be the biggest, but size isn’t everything. Where else can you get a delicious cream puff, an 85 year tradition at our fair? In 2008, 381,926 cream puffs were sold! Of course, there are other attractions at the fair; champion livestock and poultry, prize-winning crafts and produce, interesting exhibits and killer rides in the midway.

The first Wisconsin State Fair was held in Janesville in 1851. The fair was held in various towns until it settled in West Allis in 1892. This year the fair runs from August 6^th to the 16^th. There are all kinds of promotions and discounts that make admission very affordable and kids ages 7-11 receive a coupon from the library for a free ticket when they complete their summer reading card. Pick up a fair schedule at the library or visit www.wistatefair.com.

So go to the fair and have fun. You haven’t done the job unless you come home dirty, full, tired and happy.

Summer Reading Deadline

Wauwatosa Public Library — Mon, 03 Aug 2009 18:04:11 GMT

August 1st often feels like the beginning of the end of summer. The days are becoming noticeably shorter and the gardens no longer look lush and green. Many school start dates are in August, marking the last day of summer for school children.

August 31st is the last day of the “Be Creative @ your Library Summer Reading Program” at the Wauwatosa Public Library. If children read ten books at their reading level and write down the titles on their reading folder or a sheet of paper, they will receive coupons for free admission to Old World Wisconsin, Discovery World, a Milwaukee Brewers Game, the Milwaukee County Zoo and other area attractions. The children will also receive a Noodles & Company reading sheet with a coupon for a free bowl of noodles, soup or salad.

Children who are too young to read by themselves may listen to ten books and receive the same rewards. Names of both readers and listeners will be posted on the Children’s Library main bulletin board.

After the readers and listeners have finished their ten books, they have the opportunity to receive additional recognition and prizes by completing seven fun activities from the list on the back of the reading folder. Activities include read a book and see the movie, bring a friend to the library and read a recipe book and make one of the recipes. For more information, please call 414-471-8486.

New Additions

Wauwatosa Public Library — Mon, 03 Aug 2009 18:04:00 GMT

  Books

Best Friends Forever by Jennifer Weiner

Chasing Icarus: the Seventeen Days in 1910 that Forever Changed American Aviation
by Gavin Mortimer

Defector by Daniel Silva

Einstein’s Telescope: the Hunt for Dark Matter and Dark Energy in the Universe by Evalyn Gates

Free Range Kids: Giving Our Children the Freedom We Had Without Going Nuts with Worry
by Lenore Skenazy

Noticer: Sometimes All a Person Needs is a Little Perspective by Andy Andrews

Runner’s World, the Runner’s Body: How the Latest Exercise Science Can Help You Run Stronger, Longer, and Faster by Ross Tucker

Twitter: Tips, Tricks, and Tweets by Paul McFedries

Wood-Fired Cooking: Techniques and Recipes for the Grill, Backyard Oven, Fireplace, and Campfire by Mary Karlin

You Majored in What?: Mapping Your Path from Chaos to Career by Katharine Brooks

Audiobooks

    Apostle by Brad Thor

Guardian of Lies by Steve Martini

Nightmares & Dreamscapes, Vols. 1, 2 and 3 by Stephen King

There’s Something About St. Tropez by Elizabeth Adler

Winter World: the Ingenuity of Animal Survival by Bernd Heinrich

Music on CD
     (The Album)/Wilco

American Saturday Night/Brad Paisley

Classic Protest Songs From Smithsonian Folkways

Mosaic/Kendra Shank Quartet

Wait for Me/Moby

DVDs

Defiance

Edge of Love

Grey Gardens

New in Town

Two Lovers

Rhyme Time

Wauwatosa Public Library — Mon, 03 Aug 2009 18:02:00 GMT

If you have yet to engage your young child in a library program, now is the time to start. Rhyme Time, a 20 minute program for babies through 3-year-olds, begins August 5^th and runs until the 20^th.

This fun and social activity for you and your child will promote early literacy skills such as an interest in new vocabulary, numbers, reading, stories and books. Skills are encouraged through the use of books, puppets, oral stories, shadow theatre, games, music, movement, and more.

Rhyme Time is on Wednesdays or Thursdays at 9:30 and 11:00. No registration is required during the summer session and older siblings are welcome to attend.

Gardens of Wauwatosa

Wauwatosa Public Library — Fri, 03 Jul 2009 14:13:31 GMT

The Wauwatosa Beautification Committee is a volunteer organization dedicated to preserving and improving the beauty of our neighborhoods by planting and maintaining gardens throughout Wauwatosa.

The garden beds you see around the “Welcome to Wauwatosa” signs, in the boulevards and around other public spaces in Wauwatosa are the work of the Committee and the Committee’s volunteer gardeners, the“Gardening Angels”. The beds around the Library/City Hall entrance and throughout the parking lot are full of flowering trees, shrubs, irises, lilies and other lovely plants. These gardens beautify the area and brighten the day of the employees and visitors to the Library and City Hall. The WBC also encourages and recognizes Wauwatosa residents and business owners that contribute to the beauty of our neighborhoods by annually presenting the “Yard of Distinction” award to homes and businesses in Wauwatosa.

The Wauwatosa Beautification Committee is not funded by any government agency, it depends on funds raised through its annual garden tour and support from individuals. The 15^th annual Secret Gardens of Wauwatosa Tour is July 11, rain or shine, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. The tour will start at the Kneeland-Walker House (7406 Hillcrest Drive) and include seven Wauwatosa gardens. Master gardeners will be present to answer questions and plant societies will sell plants and garden-related items. Tickets are $10 in advance at some local businesses and $12 on the day of the tour. Call 258-9014 for more information.

Support the Wauwatosa Beautification Committee and the work it does and have an enchanting day in the secret gardens of Wauwatosa.

New Additions

Wauwatosa Public Library — Fri, 03 Jul 2009 14:09:00 GMT

Books

Blue Zones: Lessons for Living Longer from the People Who’ve Lived the
                          Longest by Dan Buettner

Driving Like Crazy: Thirty Years of Vehicular Hellbending, Celebrating America the Way It’s Supposed to Be-With an Oil Well in Every Backyard, a Cadillac Escalade in Every Carport, and the Chairman of the Federal Reserve Bank Mowing Our Lawn by P.J. O’Rourke

Not So Big Remodeling: Tailoring Your Home for the Way You Really Live by Sarah Susanka

Purpose of Boys: Helping Our Sons Find Meaning, Significance, and Direction in Their Lives by Michael Gurian

Record Makers and Breakers: Voices of the Independent Rock ‘N’ Roll Pioneers by John Broven

Reliable Wife by Robert Goolrick

Shanghai Girls by Lisa See

Smart Policies for Workplace Technologies: Emails, Blogs, Cell Phones & More by Lisa Guerin

Street Fighters: the Last 72 Hours of Bear Stearns, the Toughest Firm on Wall Street by Kate Kelly

Why We Make Mistakes: How We Look Without Seeing, Forget Things in Seconds, and Are All Pretty Sure We Are Way Above Average by Joseph T. Hallinan

Audiobooks on CD

Gone Tomorrow by Lee Child

Elegant Universe: Superstrings, Hidden Dimensions, and the Quest for the Ultimate Theory by Brian Greene

Fugitive by Phillip Margolin

Stone’s Fall by Iain Pears

Summer World: A Season of Bounty by Bernd Heinrich

Music on CD

   Intimate Letters (Janacek & Martinu)/Emerson String Quartet

Summer Love Songs/Beach Boys

Time Out/Dave Brubeck Quartet

Townes/Steve Earle

Veckatimest/Grizzly Bear

DVDs

Faith Like Potatoes

Gran Torino

He’s Just Not That Into You

Last Chance Harvey

Revolutionary Road

The Mozart Effect

Wauwatosa Public Library — Fri, 03 Jul 2009 14:07:00 GMT

The most recognized child prodigy in music history is Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart, who made his piano and violin debuts at age six and composed Andante (K. 1a) and Allegro (K. 1b)
at age 5. It is not surprising that a number of music teachers and researchers believe that playing Mozart’s music to children has a positive effect on their creative abilities.

Don Campbell, author of The Mozart Effect for Children: Awakening Your Child’s Mind, Health, and Creativity with Music and The Mozart Effect: Tapping the Power of Music to Heal the Body, Strengthen the Mind, and Unlock the Creative Spirit, owns the copyright for the phrase “Mozart Effect”. He defines the “Mozart Effect” as “an inclusive term signifying the transformational powers of music in health, education, and well-being."

The research is still out on whether the “Mozart Effect” lives up to its claims. Research does show that most children enjoy listening to variations on Twinkle, Twinkle Little Star, excerpts from the Magic Flute and other compositions by Mozart.

Children in K5 through 8th grades will have a chance to check out the “Mozart Effect” by attending a string performance at the Wauwatosa Public Library on Monday, August 10, 2009. The Milwaukee Center for Strings students will play from 10:00-10:45am and 1:30-2:15pm in the Firefly Room.

"Stay just as you are-don't ever change"

Wauwatosa Public Library — Wed, 03 Jun 2009 18:24:00 GMT

You may be interested in knowing that the Wauwatosa library has an extensive collection of Wauwatosa high school yearbooks dating back to 1912; Wauwatosa High School and Wauwatosa East's Cardinal Pennant as well as Wauwatosa West's Olympian starting in 1962. For many years now, the library has gotten the yearbooks directly from the high schools in pristine condition. Most of the collection, however, is made up of copies that have been donated over the years; old, worn and, at one time, treasured yearbooks, signed by teachers and friends.

As the school year comes to an end, I am reminded of how much I looked forward to receiving my yearbook and passing it around to my friends to sign. This past weekend, I got together with a few old friends from high school, and yes, the yearbooks came out. We laughed at the inscriptions, and were reminded of some long forgotten names and faces (it was a little shocking how dated the pictures looked!).

Because of their irreplaceable value, the yearbooks don't circulate, but they are available, whether you are trying to remember the name of the guy you sat next to in homeroom, planning a reunion or just feel like reminiscing.

Jess Brown

Chickadees

Wauwatosa Public Library — Wed, 03 Jun 2009 18:23:15 GMT

The black-capped chickadee, native to Canada and the Northern United States, was named for the sound it makes, “Chick-a-dee-dee.” Biologists have learned that the chickadee’s song is complex and used to communicate much about predators and social behavior.

Most of the variations in sound are too fine for human ears to perceive. Chris Templeton of the University of Washington Seattle can distinguish variations in the call to determine how dangerous a predator is to the chickadee. Pygmy owls, whose small size and maneuverability make them efficient hunters of small birds, elicit an extra three and a half “dees” from chickadees. Chickadees add only an extra half “dee” when warning other birds that a great gray owl is near, because the small birds can easily evade these large predators. Chickadees also use their calls to keep the flock together when feeding and to alert others to good sources of food. Carolina chickadees look very much like black-capped chickadees, but can be distinguished by their call. These chickadees live in the Southeastern part of the United States. Chickadee calls are mostly invariant across the species’ range, although those living in the zones of overlap will learn each other’s songs.

Inspired by the beautiful songs of chickadees, Mary Karlzen, Anji Rodee and Carmen Nickerson named their female music trio The Chickadees. Their children’s songs are from the great outdoors and the words to their signature piece, “Chickadee Song”, notes the traits people love about these birds.The Chickadees will kick off the Wauwatosa Public Library’s summer programs, Be Creative @ Your Library at 10:00am and 1:30pm on Thursday, June 18, 2009. The two 45 minute programs of music and creativity are most appropriate for families with children 3-years-old and older. For more information, call the Children’s Library at 414-471-8486.

New Additions

Wauwatosa Public Library — Wed, 03 Jun 2009 18:23:00 GMT

Books

Adopted Dog Bible by Kim Saunders

Eco-craft: Recycle, Recraft, Restyle by Susan Wasinger

Fortune Scandal: Amazing Tales of Business Scandals That Shocked the World and Shaped Modern Business by the Editors of Fortune Magazine

How It Ended: New and Collected Stories by Jay McInerney

Lift Every Voice: the History of African American Music by Burton Peretti

Milwaukee Braves: Heroes and Heartbreak by William Povletich

New Codependency: Help and Guidance for the Today's Generation by Melody Beattie

Next-day Job Interview: Prepare Tonight and Get the Job Tomorrow by J. Michael Farr

Scarecrow by Michael Connelly

Showing Up for Life: Thoughts on the Gifts of a Lifetime by William H. Gates

Audiobooks

Handle With Care by Jodi Picoult

Midnight's Children by Salman Rushdie

     Nothing to Fear: FDR's Inner Circle and the Hundred Days That Created Modern
America by Adam Cohen

Suze Orman's 2009 Action Plan by Suze Orman

Wicked Prey by John Sandford

DVDs

    Bolt

Little Dorrit

MGM, When the Lion Roars: the Story of a Hollywood Empire

Paul Blart: Mall Cop

Valkyrie

Music on CD

    He and She/Wynton Marsalis

Italian Songbook: Bellini, Donizetti, Rossini/Cecilia Bartoli

Just Go/Lionel Richie

Open Door EP/Death Cab for Cutie

Other Covers/James Taylor

Lest We Forget

Wauwatosa Public Library — Mon, 04 May 2009 21:04:43 GMT

The Wauwatosa Library has a very special book entitled, Lest We Forget, honoring Wauwatosa soldiers who lost their lives in the two World Wars. It was compiled by the Gold Star Mothers of Wauwatosa in 1957. The introduction to the book describes its purpose so beautifully.

"Here, in Memoriam for this and future generations, are recorded...the names of those who gave their lives that we might live without fear and tyranny, in a nation and a city dedicated to the freedom and dignity of man. Each page is a monument to one who was a resident of this community. Through their sacrifices these protectors of our freedom have established an imperishable bond between themselves, their fellow citizens and future generations. Their place in history will not be forgotten."

In this book you find an 8 x 10 photograph and a service biography of each soldier killed, from Jack Roger Allen and his brother, Roy Helmann Allen to Herbert Frederick Zobel. As one turns the pages of this book, the reader is bound to feel a sense of sadness and profound appreciation.

Memorial Day

Wauwatosa Public Library — Mon, 04 May 2009 21:04:25 GMT

Memorial Day, also called Decoration Day, is a United States federal holiday observed on the last Monday in May. It honors U.S. men and women who died while in military service. It was first enacted to honor soldiers of the American Civil War and was expanded after World War I to include American casualties of any war or military action.

After the Civil War, many communities designated a day to honor the memory of their soldiers killed in battle. Waterloo, New York, first observed the holiday on May 5, 1866 and in 1966, the government officially proclaimed Waterloo, New York, the birthplace of the holiday. In 1868, Major General John A. Logan, commander-in-chief of the Grand Army of the Republic, a veterans’ organization, issued a proclamation that Decoration Day be observed nationwide on May 30^th each year. The name, Memorial Day, was first used in 1882 and was declared the official name of the holiday in 1967.

On June 28, 1968, the government passed the Uniform Holidays Bill which moved three holidays, Presidents’ Day, Veterans Day and Memorial Day, from their traditional dates to a specified Monday in order to create a three-day weekend. In 1971, the Memorial Day holiday was officially moved to the last Monday in May.

On Memorial Day, many people observe the holiday by visiting cemeteries and memorials and placing American flags and flowers on military gravesites. Communities hold memorial observances and parades. Plan to attend Wauwatosa’s Annual Memorial Day Observance Monday, May 25^th at 10:00 at Longfellow Middle School. The program will include the Presentation of Colors, the Pledge of Allegiance, Invocation, Celebration of Sacrifice, Playing of Taps and musical selections performed by the Wauwatosa Community Band.

Spring Fever

Wauwatosa Public Library — Mon, 04 May 2009 21:03:23 GMT

Congratulations. You’ve survived another Wisconsin winter! It’s nice to be outside again – but where to go when you’ve got spring fever? You’ve got some great choices here in Milwaukee County for enjoying the great outdoors. Here are some suggestions for the next time it’s just too nice out to stay inside.

Wehr Nature Center in Franklin
You and your whole family can explore the natural environment of the Wehr Nature Center. The Center offers self-guided tours, as well as programs led by staff naturalists. Walk through forest, wetland, prairie and savannah habitats, or check out the Visitor Center and Nature Store.
Wehr Nature Center
9701 W. College Ave., Franklin, WI 53132
(414) 425-8550 http://www.county.milwaukee.gov/WehrNatureCenter10115.htm

Boerner Botanical Gardens in Hales Corners
Walk through gardens of annuals, perennials, roses and herbs. There's a rock garden and even a bog garden! On their main web page, the Botanical Gardens features a link to “What’s Blooming” so you can see what will be in bloom when you start your tour of the gardens.
Boerner Botanical Gardens
9400 Boerner Drive
Hales Corners, WI 53130
(414) 525-5600 http://www.county.milwaukee.gov/BoernerBotanicalGard10113.htm

For more information about Milwaukee County parks, check out their website: http://www.county.milwaukee.gov/ParksandPublicInfras7720.htm.

And, don’t forget the Milwaukee County Zoo! The animals will be out enjoying the spring sunshine. Come out and see what’s new. On May 10^th, Moms get in for free!
Milwaukee County Zoological Gardens
10001 West Blue Mound Road, Milwaukee, Wisconsin, 53226
Information: (414) 256-5412 | Main Office: (414) 771-3040 http://www.milwaukeezoo.org/

New Releases

Wauwatosa Public Library — Mon, 04 May 2009 21:02:00 GMT

Books

Always Looking Up: the Adventures of an Incurable Optimist by Michael J. Fox

Complete Poems of Sappho by Sappho

Enough Already!: Clearing Mental Clutter to Become the Best You by Peter Walsh

First Family by David Baldacci

Home Safe by Elizabeth Berg

Jane Brody’s Guide to the Great Beyond: a Practical Primer to Help You and Your Loved Ones
Prepare Medically, Legally, and Emotionally for the End of Life by Jane E. Brody

Loitering with Intent by Stuart Woods

Martha Stewart’s Encyclopedia of Crafts by Martha Stewart

Selma of the North: Civil Rights Insurgency in Milwaukee by Patrick D. Jones

Suze Orman’s 2009 Action Plan by Suze Orman

Audiobooks

Element: How Finding Your Passion Changes Everything by Ken Robinson

Handle with Care by Jodi Picoult

Long Lost by Harlan Coben

Plum Spooky by Janet Evanovich

Safe Money in Tough Times: Everything You Need to Know to Survive the Financial Crisis by Jonathan D. Pond

DVDs

City of Ember

Day the Earth Stood Still

Madagascar. Escape 2 Africa

Make ‘Em Laugh: the Funny Business of America

March Madness: the Greatest Moments of the NCAA Tournament

Music on CD

Hazards of Love/Decemberists

Metamorphosen/Branford Marsalis Quartet

Quiet Nights/Diana Krall

Roll On/J.J. Cale

Willie and the Wheel/Willie Nelson and Asleep at the Wheel

Reading Fun

Wauwatosa Public Library — Mon, 04 May 2009 20:53:01 GMT

   Is learning to read easy? That depends on a number of factors that certainly include access to age-appropriate materials and read-aloud experiences at an early age. Charlemagne, also known as Charles the Great, was a medieval emperor and soldier who did not learn to read until he was almost 40 years old. Little is known about his childhood, but it is probable that he did not have age appropriate reading materials. He did have a desire to read and an appreciation of language, which is documented by his court biographer, Einhard.

The Wauwatosa Public Library summer reading program for children seeks to instill an appreciation of language, the desire to read, and a love of books in children. The first step for parents and adults who work with children is to make an association between reading and pleasure.   Sitting in a parent’s lap and listening to a picture book is pleasurable. Going to story time at the library to hear stories and participate in related activities is fun. Receiving prizes for a completed summer reading card is gratifying. Summer program schedules are available in the Children’s Library beginning May 1, 2009.

The Grand Reading Card 2009 expands on the idea of associating reading with pleasure. The children may choose seven ways of enjoying a book or the library for additional prizes. The 29 suggestions on the card range from applying for one’s own library card to reading a book in the park. The Grand Reading Card 2009 will be available June 1st.

Nadia Wheatley expresses the joy of reading well in her picture book, The Greatest Treasure of Charlemagne the King.   In her book, Alcuin of York, the scholar who helped Charlemagne establish his court school, explains why it is worth the effort to learn to read. “If you learn to read and love books, I can promise that you will never again be bored or lonely.”

Children's Book Week

Wauwatosa Public Library — Mon, 04 May 2009 20:37:10 GMT

    Celebrate Children’s Book Week (May 11-17, 2009) by reading one of the 2008 Children’s Choice Book Award winners or 2009 Children’s Choice Book Award finalists. The awards celebrate the books that kids chose online in six categories: Kindergarten to 2nd Grade Book of the Year, 3rd to 4th Grade Book of the Year, 5th to 6th Grade Book of the Year, Teen Choice Book of the Year, Author of the Year and Illustrator of the Year.

Go to BookWeekOnline.com for information about Children’s Book Week or to obtain a list of last year’s winners and finalists and this year’s finalists.   The 2008 Children’s Choice Book Award winners are:

Kindergarten - 2nd Grade
Frankie Stein by Lola M Schaefer; illustrated by Kevan Atteberry

3rd – 4th grade
Big Cats by Elaine Landau

5th – 6th grade
Encyclopedia Horrifica by Joshua Gee

Author of the Year
J.K. Rowling for Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows

Illustrator of the Year
Ian Falconer for Olivia Helps with Christmas (written by Ian Falconer)

What Defines a Leader?

Wauwatosa Public Library — Wed, 01 Apr 2009 20:32:00 GMT

Courage, vision, determination, confidence, the ability to inspire-these are qualities that define a leader. The Wauwatosa Public Library Foundation will be recognizing and honoring individuals who have shown these qualities in work, school and community service in Wauwatosa at the Spring Leadership Luncheon.

This year’s leadership awards will be given to six outstanding area high school students and the Arthur B. Kohasky Leadership Award will be presented to Jon Vice, Past President and CEO of Children’s Hospital. The keynote speaker at the luncheon will be Bob Woodward, award-winning journalist and best-selling author.

Jon Vice provided nearly three decades of leadership to Children’s Hospital of Wisconsin, creating one of the country’s leading medical facilities for pediatric care. Since becoming President and CEO in 1984, he has overseen the growth of 14 entities, including hospitals, clinics, a research center and a foundation. Outreach efforts under his direction included school-based health care for Milwaukee’s most disadvantaged children, the Children’s Health Education Center and integration of the Children’s Service Society of Wisconsin. Recently “retired,” Mr. Vice serves on several boards, including Children’s Miracle Network here and in the U.K., and has served on the Children’s Research Institute and Children’s Community Health Plan boards. He has also joined the faculty of his alma mater, the University of Alabama-Birmingham.

Bob Woodward’s name has been synonymous with investigative journalism since winning the 1973 Pulitzer Prize for his reporting with Carl Bernstein on the Watergate scandal. His articles for the Washington Post on the aftermath of the 9-11 terrorist attacks won the National Affairs Pulitzer Prize in 2002. He has been called “the most celebrated journalist of our age.” In addition to reporting, Woodward has authored or coauthored 14 bestselling books. He has more #1 nonfiction bestsellers that any contemporary American author and three of his books have been made into movies. His latest book, The War Within: A Secret White House History 2006-2008, is the last in his series about the Bush administration.

The Wauwatosa Public Library Foundation invites you to join us for the Spring Leadership Luncheon, May 12^th at 12:00 noon at the Crowne Plaza Hotel, 10499 Innovation Dr., in Wauwatosa. Tickets are $40.00 and are available at the Library Information Desk. All proceeds go to benefit the Wauwatosa Public Library Foundation.