Books Blog

Books for Bedtime

Submitted by Rachel on July 31, 2012 - 2:35pm
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Sleepy Me

I don’t wanna go to bed. I’m not tired. Sound familiar? Bedtime can be stressful but establishing a bedtime a routine can turn your evenings into a time to bond rather than battle. Reading together is a great way to wind down at the end of the day and makes a fun addition to your routine. Here are a few books that will help your child relax and get ready to sleep, transition from a crib to a bed, or spend a full night in her own bed.

Establishing a bedtime routine and sticking to it every night can help make the end of the day peaceful instead of a struggle. Try a few different schedules to figure out what works at your house. Include brushing teeth, changing into pajamas and reading books. Once you find a schedule that works, stick to it. That way, your child will know what to expect and be ready to sleep. When your little one has a good night be sure to praise her, reinforcing the positive behavior for the future.

Here are a few great books to snuggle up and read with your toddler:

Food Truck Nation

Submitted by Amy on July 26, 2012 - 5:31pm
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One of the more enjoyable eating trends in recent years has been the rise of the humble food truck from greasy purveyor of basic fare like hotdogs and cotton candy to gourmet restaurant on wheels, serving everything from curry rice omelets to cardamom-spiced doughnuts. If you love food trucks, the library has some terrific resources for you.

If you have ever dreamed of creating that street flavor at home, you are in luck, because author and food truck devotee John T. Edge has just published The Truck Food Cookbook, which is filled with delicious and easy-to-follow recipes from food trucks across the country. Make Korean short ribs (from Los Angeles) or coconut veggie chicken crepes (from Philadelphia). Satisfy your sweet tooth with sweet potato cupcakes (from Durham, NC) or Shaker lemon pie (from San Francisco).

Create a magical miniature garden space

Submitted by Sara on July 24, 2012 - 9:49am
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Container gardening is the art of growing anything that would grow in a backyard garden in the confined space of a container. Miniature gardens take this to a new level with scale and perspective becoming essential elements. Many garden centers have taken notice of this popular hobby and regularly stock miniature plants and accessories.

A miniature garden can be created around the base of a tree or in any type of container, but something vintage or unusual can add to the charm. All it takes is some imagination and creativity. Miniature gardens take less time and money than real ones, but give similar satisfaction. You can utilize miniature arbors and fences, even tiny furniture and pots to "theme" your space or rely totally on miniature plants and herbs to create visual impact.

Coping with Grief and Tragedy

Submitted by Tara on July 20, 2012 - 10:58am
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March 2001 Employee of the Month Award from Aurora Century 16

The events at the Aurora Century 16 Movie Theater have stunned and saddened people across the country. As a former employee of the Aurora Century 16 Movie Theater, my thoughts are with the employees and those in attendance last night.

I did not believe what I was reading this morning when I learned about the events that occurred while most of Colorado slumbered. Working at the Aurora Century 16 theater was my first job after I graduated from Purdue and moved to Colorado over 10 years ago. If you have never worked in a movie theater, it is not as glamorous as you might think. My work uniform involved wearing a vest with popcorn on it and a bow tie. Popcorn does have an alluring aroma, but not when you can't wash it out of your hair.

Creator of Encyclopedia Brown Dies

Submitted by Amy on July 19, 2012 - 10:33am
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Donald Sobol

All summer long, my son has been on an Encyclopedia Brown kick – reading every book about the boy detective that the library owns.  The stories about the clever kid who solves mysteries with his brains are interesting and fun, and my son loves to read them out loud – and challenge me to figure things out before Encyclopedia does.  I never do.  And so it was with great sadness that we heard that Donald Sobol, the author of this beloved series, died this week at 87.

According to the New York Times obituary, Mr. Sobol wrote 28 Encyclopedia Brown books through the years, the last one just before he died.  Fortunately, we can look forward to reading Encyclopedia Brown and the Case of the Soccer Scheme this October.

LISTEN UP! GREAT AUDIOBOOKS FOR KIDS!

Submitted by Gigi on July 18, 2012 - 4:01pm
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With summer in full swing, many folks are taking family road trips and vacations, or looking for new ways to keep out-of-school children occupied and engaged at home. One great solution is to check out some awesome audiobooks from your local DPL branch!

This alternative format is a big hit for keeping kids occupied during long trips or on hot summer days, as well as helping kids who may not be completely comfortable with reading independently to enjoy the experience of books. While it may seem somewhat counterintuitive, audiobooks actually promote children’s  literacy. They do this by modeling correct pronunciation and fluent reading, expanding vocabulary, offering children with differing abilities and learning styles the opportunity to get engaged with books, and, most importantly, improving children’s listening skills.

Yes, Chef?

Submitted by Becker on July 17, 2012 - 8:57am
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Yes, Chef

One of the summer's hottest memoirs is Marcus Samuelsson's Yes, Chef. If you want another culinary memoir to read while you're waiting for this highly acclaimed book, check out some of these other tales of cooking education & life in the kitchen.

Life, On the Line, Grant Achatz

The Sharper Your Knife, the Less You Cry: Love, Laughter, and Tears at the World's Most Famous Cooking School, Kathleen Flinn

Out of the Frying Pan: A Chef's Memoir of Hot Kitchens, Single Motherhood, and the Family Meal, Gillian Clark

Authors Series: Laurie Wagner Buyer & WC Jameson, Sunday!

Submitted by Becker on July 10, 2012 - 2:03pm
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Colorado Treasure Tales

The Fresh City Life My Branch Authors Series presents husband and wife authors Laurie Wagner Buyer and W.C. Jameson on Sunday, July 15 at 2 p.m. at the Schlessman Family Branch.

Buyer & Jameson will talk about their books about the west! Jameson's latest book is the adventure memoir Treasure Hunter: Caches, Curses, and Deadly Confrontations. Buyer is the author of 6 collections of poetry, the novel Side Canyons, and two memoirs, Spring's Edge: A Ranch Wife's Chronicles, and When I Came West.

Get Groovy with Pete the Cat

Submitted by Ann on July 2, 2012 - 3:51pm
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Book jacket of Pete the Cat and His Four Groovy Buttons

Calling all Pete the Cat fans! Put on your white shoes and head over to the Green Valley Ranch Branch on Monday, July 9 at 10:30 am to meet Eric Litwin, author of the Pete the Cat picture books.

Sing and dance along with Mr. Eric as he plays guitar and harmonica and shares his musical stories. While fun for all ages, Mr. Eric is a sure-fire hit with the preschool set.

A former classroom teacher, Mr. Eric has performed at Lincoln Center and at schools and libraries across the country. He is the winner of a Parents Choice Award and currently has two books on the New York Times Best Sellers list.

Get in the mood for Mr. Eric's visit by checking out these titles:

Are you dreaming of white?

Submitted by Emily on June 26, 2012 - 5:37pm
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Blood and Ice by Robert Masello

Are you dreaming of snow? Wishing that winter was a bit closer? Here are a couple thrillers sure to chill you to the bone!

  • The Shining by Stephen King

    • A family of off-season caretakers get snowed-in, but does the danger come from without or within? Chill out with this classic King novel.

    A group of Antarctic explorers discover something unexpected in the ice but will any of them survive to tell the tale?

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