Past readers of this blog will remember The Mysterious Invention of Hugo Cabret, by Brian Selznick.  Perhaps, with the upcoming release of Selznick's new book, Wonderstruck, and the beginning of a new school year, I should introduce myself.  Who is this person who is taking over Chelsea's wonderful blog?  I'm Jean, the youth services librarian, and I look forward to keeping you posted about lots of great books and programming.

Before I tell you about this book, I'd like to remind you that our Fall weekly programs for children start this week! Check out our website for the schedule:
http://www.baraboopubliclibrary.org/youth/index.html#Fall

And now...WONDERSTRUCK

Selznick's Wonderstruck, is a remarkable "novel in words and pictures."  Like his Caldecott Honor-winning The Mysterious Invention of Hugo Cabret, Wonderstruck is told through both prose and carefully placed sections of wordless, meticulously shaded and textured pencil drawings which evoke mystery and curiosity.  Through multiple devices, Selznick twists and knits pieces of history and personal and public artifacts to tell a story of a boy finding his connection in the world.  Two main plot veins are artfully crafted to sustain suspense--one about a twelve year old boy, Ben, in 1977 in Minnesota, and one about a girl, Rose in 1927 New York.  There is a museum involved too...but you'll have to discover the rest of the plot for yourself!  I assure you that you won't soon forget this book.

Brian Selznick's acknowledgments and bibliography at the end of Wonderstruck will satisfy you wonderers and explorers of history and information. He credits the book From the Mixed-up Files of Mrs. Basil E. Frankweiler by E. L. Konigsburg (1967) as one of the books that inspired him--another fun museum story.

Wonderstruck will be on our shelves soon!  In the meantime...did you know you can place hold yourself, from your library account on the internet? Stop in and ask, and we'll show you how.

Come to the summer reading program family potluck!

Please join us at our "Family Traditions" potluck,Wednesday August 3, from 12:30-1:30 pm in our program room!  Bring a favorite family dish to pass, and share a story about it too, as we celebrate the end of a successful "One World, Many Stories" summer reading program!

And, kids, don't forget to bring in your reading booklets to cash in your book bucks for prizes by August 13. Parents who registered 0-3 year olds in the reading program: bring in their booklets too,  in order to fill out entries for the babies' prize drawing! 

We are looking forward to author Kashmira Sheth's visit!

Who Loves the Library?

Mr. Anne and I had a lot of fun at Downtown Baraboo's Old-Fashioned Festival today!

Visit Baraboo Public Library's Facebook page to see who loves the library!--and see other photos and video clips from our summer programs.

This is the last week of our regular weekly programs until mid-September, but there are two more special events coming up:

• Author Kashmira Sheth will visit this Thursday at 10:30 a.m. to share two of her beautiful picture books with us. She will also show us how to tie a sari and how to make a paper boat like the characters in her books. Each participating family will receive a signed copy of one of Ms. Sheth's books to keep!
• The Family Traditions Potluck is August 3, from 12:30-1:30! Bring a food to share that is traditional to your family's heritage, or just a family favorite. Everyone will get a chance to share a story about their family's dish. (We will provide plates, cups, silverware, napkins, and beverages.)

Great new search possibilities in LinkCat!

Our South Central Library System's impressive new LinkCat will be available starting Monday, April 18! Need to find a book? Check out this YouTube video for a brief introduction on how to search: http://www.youtube.com/user/SCLSUTube

And don't forget--in anticipation of this change, Baraboo Public Library won't open until noon on Monday the 18th.)

Explore the World of Hugo Cabret!

ORPHAN, CLOCK KEEPER, AND THIEF, twelve-year-old Hugo lives in the walls of a busy Paris train station, where his survival depends on secrets and anonymity. But when his world suddenly interlocks with an eccentric girl and the owner of a small toy booth in the train station, Hugo’s undercover life, and his most precious secret, are put in jeopardy. A cryptic drawing, a treasured notebook, a stolen key, a mechanical man, and a hidden message all come together...in The Invention of Hugo Cabret. (from the author's website)

Whether you love mysteries, historical fiction, adventure stories, or just a really good read, The Invention of Hugo Cabret is sure to spark your imagination. Author Brian Selznick uses black and white pencil illustrations framed to look like movie stills to tell large sections of the story, seamlessly moving back and forth between textual and visual narrative. Part graphic novel, part novel, and completely unique, this 2008 Caldecott Award winner for distinguished illustration has become a favorite of young readers, parents, and educators alike.

We're very EXCITED to be able to celebrate The Invention of Hugo Cabret with our patrons! First, pick up a copy of the novel at the Youth Services Desk, and read the book! Next, come to one of our upcoming programs:

Book Party
Friday, February 25, 10:30-11:30 am

It's Chelsea's last day of work in Baraboo, and she can't think of a better way to celebrate than by sharing Hugo Cabret with fellow book lovers! If you've read the book, join us for some spirited discussion and lots of fun activities based on Hugo's adventures. For ages 7+.

Animation Workshop
Friday, March 4, 10 am - 12 pm

Hugo is fascinated by the movies, and much of this novel relies on illustrations that form an almost animated narrative to complement the text. Discover your own inner filmmaker, and learn to create short, animated stories. For ages 8+.

The Films of Georges Melies
March 4-6, times TBA

French filmmaker Georges Melies created some of the first silent films to venture outside the realm of realism. His fantasy epics took audiences to exotic locales, lost worlds, and even to the moon. Hugo idealized Melies, and now is your chance to see these pioneering early movies on the Al Ringling's big screen!

Hope to see you soon at the Library! For more information about any of our programs, and to pick up a copy of The Invention of Hugo Cabret, visit us at the Youth Services Desk.

And check out author Brian Selznick's website for more information on the book and its upcoming film adaptation by Martin Scorsese (yeah, that's right).

The Best of 2010!

It's that time of year - awards season! And just like everyone else, librarians love to hand out honors to the best books of the year. Here are a few of the award winners that you can check out today from the Baraboo Public Library!

Newbery Award - honors the author of the most distinguished contribution to American literature for children. Past winners include such classics as The Giver, Holes, Bridge to Terabithia, and A Wrinkle in Time.

Moon over Manifest by Clare Vanderpool - This one slipped past a lot of libraries, but our copy has just arrived. Don't miss this warm and intriguing page turner following 12 year old Abilene Tucker as she tries to unravel the mysteries of Manifest, Kansas.

2011 Newbery Honor Books include two great novels for upper elementary and middle school readers:
One Crazy Summer by Rita Garcia-Williams tells the story of 11 year old Delphine as she and her two sisters journey to Oakland in 1968 to meet their estranged mother, a poet and member of the Black Panthers. An illuminating look at an often overlooked era in American history, authentically and engagingly told. + GAR

Turtle in Paradise by Jennifer L. Holm offers more historical fiction as 11 year old Turtle journeys to Key West in the 1930's. The author of Babymouse draws on her own family's stories for this tale of crazy cousins and tropical adventure. +HOL

Caldecott Medal - honors the artist of the most distinguished American picture book for children. Past winners include The Polar Express, Where the Wild Things Are, and The Snowy Day.

A Sick Day for Amos McGee by Philip Stead, illustrated by Erin Stead - This staff favorite tells the story of an elderly zoo keeper who cares for his animal friends with sensitivity and patience. But when Amos gets sick, it's the animals who hop a bus to his house to repay the kindness of their zoo keeper. Stead's gentle and expressive illustrations perfectly match the story, and give each character personality and depth. E STE

2011 Caldecott Honor Books include Dave the Potter: Artist, Poet, Slave by Laban Carrick Hill, illustrated by Bryan Collier. Check out our Resource Spotlight on our Youth Services website for a detailed review of this beautiful book. +738.092 HIL

The Batchelder Award - given to an American publisher for the most outstanding foreign language children's book translated into English and published in the United States.

These books offer insight into the contemporary lives of children in other countries while also touching on those subjects that affect children universally. Watch for these titles coming soon to the Baraboo Public Library:

A Time of Miracles by Anne-Laure Bondoux, translated by Y. Maudet (France)

Honor Books include Departure Time by Truus Matti, translated by Nancy Forest-Flie (The Netherlands), and Nothing by Janne Teller, translated by Martin Aitken (Denmark).

Theodore Seuss Geisel Medal - honors the author(s) and illustrator(s) of the most distinguished beginning reader book. Fans of Mo Willems' Elephant and Piggy series will know that his books have frequently been honored by this relatively new award.

Bink and Gollie by Kate DiCamillo and Allison McGee, illustrated by Tony Fucile - This unique beginning reader features simple sentences with advanced vocabulary that will challenge and tickle young readers. Look for it in our chapter book section - the little blue dot indicates that it is a great choice for kids eager to make the leap from easy readers to chapter books. +DIC

2011 Honor Books include the latest Elephant and Piggy story, We Are In a Book by Mo Willems (J WIL), and Ling and Ting: Not Exactly the Same by Grace Lin (J LIN), both fun and engaging reads that parents will enjoy along with their young readers.

Robert F. Sibert Informational Book Medal - honors the most distinguished informational book. These titles are great for use in the classroom or just for learning something new at home.

Kakapo Rescue: Saving the World's Strangest Bird by Sy Montgomery and Nic Bishop is part of the award-winning Scientists in the Field series. Young readers will be fascinated by this story of one scientist's crusade to save a rare endangered species numbering fewer than 90 birds left in the wild, brilliantly illustrated by Bishop's stunning photographs. +639.97871 MON

2011 Honor Books include Ballet for Martha: Making Appalachian Spring by Jan Greenburg and Sandra Jordan, the behind the scenes story of the collaboration the created "Appalachian Spring," with graceful, energetic illustrations by Brian Floca. +798.2 GRE

Other awards to check out:

• the Pura Belpre Awards honor the best Latino/Latina writers and illustrators whose works affirm and celebrate the Latino cultural experience.
• the Coretta Scott King Awards honor the best African American writers and illustrators for outstanding inspirational and educational contributions to children's literature.
• the Schneider Family Book Awards honor an author or illustrator for a book that embodies an artistic expression of the disability experience for child and adolescent audiences.

For a complete list of 2011 winners and honor books, check out the Association of Library Services to Children's website, or ask a librarian for help! Hope to see you in the Library again soon!