What was your favorite Book as a child?

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Recently we had a patron come in wanting to know what the most popular children’s books were. I was surprised at the mix of various authors and types that were checked out.

There are more choices out there for parents to read to their children now than ever. I am personally a big fan of rhyme books for reading out loud. Books that are short and to the point seem to hold their attention. If it is too wordy or slow paced you are in trouble before you even begin.

When choosing books for our collection I tend to steer more to that direction. Books that can help parents start conversations with the young ones. Example: potty training books, going to the dentist or doctor and counting books are great.

Two new additions to our library, which are my personal favorites are “rhyming dust bunnies” by Jan Thomas and “Our Abe Lincoln” adapted by Jim Aylesworth.

“Rhyming dust bunnies” is not only a fun read but it can get your young one involved with the story. It has very few words on a page which helps those of us with short attention spans. Check it out.

“Our Abe Lincoln” has excellent illustrations by Barbara McClintock. Jim Aylesworth took a Lincoln-era presidential campaign song and turned it into a book for young people. During this 200^th birthday of Lincoln it presents history for young people in a capsule. They will be singing history to the tune of “The Old Grey Mare.”

What was your favorite book as a child? Do you have a new one you would share with us? I am always looking for recommendations.

Angels and Demons

ANGELS and DEMONS, by Dan Brown (Just my opinion)

One day I was looking for a new author to read and happened upon this book called “Angels and Demons” by Dan Brown. He was little known at that time. The book introduced a new character called Robert Langdon, who is a Harvard symbologist. It dealt with a story line about a secret society called the Illuminati. I could tell this was going to be my kind of story. I am a fan of the Tomb Raider movie which also dealt with the Illuminati; the description sounded fascinating. Another favorite of mine, the Indiana Jones character, a professor of archeology who has adventures. Let us not forget my all time much loved series written by Douglas Preston and Lincoln Child and their character Agent Pendergast. Of course I was sucked in immediately.

I especially love when a book entwines facts with fiction. (See bizarre true facts in this book at Bizarre Facts from Angels and Demons.) It makes the plot line more realistic. This book is not for the weak hearted because it can be a bit gory at times, but it will hook you right away and hold your attention to the end. Now it has become a movie directed by Ron Howard and starring Tom Hanks. Check out the movie trailer at IMBD Video:Angels & Demons. One the second trailer the words ALTERS OF SCIENCE hidden in the word Illuminati. Don't feel bad I didn't see it either besides I like the other trailer better. If you enter the website you will see the missing canaster of antimatter the Illuminati stole in both the book and the movie. In the book/movies a live camera shows a countdown shows a countdown to the explosion to said canister and disatrous results. On the site the countdown clock is naturally counting down to May 15, 2009, release date of the movie. Sony is just so clever. Leave it to someone with way to much time to figure this all out.

Dan Brown’s fame did not take off until he came out with the controversial book “DaVinci Code”, which was actually the sequel to Angels and Demons. When people came in the library asking for DaVinci Code I recommended they read Angels first as this one introduced the Langdon character and in my personal opinion was far more exciting and plot twisting.

Read the book before seeing the movie. I guarantee you an exciting adventure. All of these books are available at our library, including the illustrated version. Go to our website page “My Account” and place your copy on hold.