Holds On One Floor

Starting Tuesday October 1st, all holds ready for pick-up will be held on the main floor in the self-serve pick-up area. We hope to make your visit to the Library as pleasant as possible by inviting you to  quickly grab you books and check them out at the circulation desk. 

Please speak with staff if you need accommodations, we are happy to help.

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Shelf Life [kids]

Phobiapedia: All the Things We Fear the Most by Joel Levy, 80 pages

@ SPL: J 616.85225 Lev

    

It’s been said that everyone is afraid of something. True? Well, there are certainly many things to be afraid of (including many that you were probably unaware of), as Joel Levy’s book demonstrates so well.

    

We’ve all heard about or know someone who fears thunder and lightning, heights, the dark, being trapped in an elevator or another confined space, visiting the dentist, snakes, spiders, termites or other insects.  But did you know that some people also fear mushrooms and toadstools (“mycophobia”), forests (“hylophobia”), toads (“bufonophobia”), water (“aquaphobia”) or even household dust (“koniophobia”)?  

     

It turns out that there are good reasons to fear some of these things. Mushrooms and toadstools can be poisonous; people can become lost in forests or drown in water, and there are some particularly unhealthy things in household dust – such as fungal spores, insect fragments, mites and fragments of human skin.

    

If you feel silly admitting that you’re afraid of wasps, tell people that you suffer from “spheksophobia”! Afraid of insects?  In that case, you have “entomophobia”. (These terms sound much more serious and dignified, don’t they?)  There’s a scientific name for almost every phobia – even the fear of large things (“megalophobia”), snow (“cheimaphobia”), the colour white (“leukophobia”) and the colour yellow (“xanthophobia”).

    

However, students will notice that a phobia about homework isn’t addressed in this book.

    

Joel Levy’s book of fears and phobias is sure to engage even reluctant readers with its fascinating information, humour and eye-catching illustrations.

** Recommended for ages 8 to 12 years.

Christopher Sat Straight Up in Bed by Kathy Long, 32 pages.

@ SPL: JP Long

    

Many preschoolers have a fear of the dark. Kathy Long’s new story, Christopher Sat Straight Up in Bed, addresses this fear with understanding and subtle humour.

     

On the first night at his grandparents’ house, Christopher was awakened by a loud, scary noise. He sat up in his bed and listened carefully. “Honk-shoo!” “Honk-shoo!” It sounded like a trumpeting elephant outside his window!  

    

Gathering up his courage, Christopher looked out, but there was no elephant there.  Hmmm.  Could it be a monster under his bed or a bear in his closet?  He looked in both places, but he could see no sign of an under-the-bed monster or an in-the-closet bear.

    

It wasn’t a dinosaur stomping down the street, or a mountain lion in the hallway, either. What could be making the mysterious sound?

    

As Christopher listened carefully, he realized that the noise could be coming from the other end of the hallway. He tiptoed down the hall, very quietly and very slowly.  Sure enough, the sound was coming from his grandparents’ room.

    

Older children may guess the source of the noise (Grandfather’s snoring) but younger preschoolers will be surprised and amused by the conclusion to this winsome story.

** Recommended for ages 2 to 5 years.

This review appeared in The Stratford Gazette on September 26, 2013. Written by Sally Hengeveld, Librarian.

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Shelf Life [adult]

Still Foolin’ ‘Em: Where I’ve Been, Where I’m Going, and Where the Hell are my Keys? By Billy Crystal

@SPL: 792.7028092 Crys

Billy Crystal is a name synonymous with comedy, so it should come as no surprise that his latest memoir induces snorts and other unladylike sounds of laughter at frequent intervals. Like any good comedian, Mr. Crystal knows the value of pacing, and Still Foolin’ ‘Em measures out equal doses of laughs and loving memories of his childhood in Long Island, his early career, and his adored wife Janice and their children, one after another. A Hollywood A-lister like Mr. Crystal does not shy away from name-dropping or telling tales out of school either, but he is never sordid; in fact some of his most obviously favourite people are not the actors with whom he has worked, but rather the sports figures who have been his real-life heroes, most notably Kareen Abdul Jabar and Muhammad Ali (although he dishes on a few anti-sports heroes, too). Although in a few years some of his references will be passé (like Lindsay Lohan we can only hope), others will strike readers as being terribly memorable – the all-too-personal close call when the twin towers fell on 9/11, and its aftermath, which left the native New Yorker feeling unfunny for years. And the (surreally local) turn of events that led to Mr. Crystal turning once again to stand-up after meeting with Des McAnuff – former artistic director of the Stratford Festival – and the creative process that let him find his passion for performing again, turning his standup into the Tony-Award winning one-man show, 700 Sundays. Lest you begin to think that this is just another Hollywood memoir, remember that Billy Crystal’s humour is highly visual, and readers will not only hear his voice coming through the printed word, but you’ll be able to imagine his anecdotes as Saturday Night Live sketches in your head. I’ll also drop this in – Billy Crystal just turned 65, a baby-boomer like millions of others, and he kvetches lyrically about the weird and wonderful things that happen as we age – going to your children’s weddings, holding grandchildren, taking more naps than the grandchildren, forgetting names, keys, how to have sex… it’s all in here, and it will make you laugh, and the advice he dispenses is worth it – because first and foremost, Billy Crystal comes across as a decent man, and a family guy. He’s someone to truly admire and that’s a rare commodity in Hollywood these days.

Reserve a copy of Still Foolin’ ‘Em at spl.bibliocommons.comunder the tag Shelf Life Reviewed.

This review appears in The Stratford Gazette on September 26, 2013. Written by Robyn Godfrey, Librarian.

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C'mon, Check Me Out! @ The Human Library

In celebration of Culture Days, SPL will be hosting a special Human Library event. In the Human Library, the books you sign out are real people, willing to share their unique perspectives, cultural histories and experiences. Chat, learn, and challenge your assumptions as you connect with people in your community in a new and unique way! 

Borrow a real live person on Saturday September 28, 10AM - 12:30PM.  Human “books” will be available for a loan of up to 30 minutes, at the The Stratford Festival Theatre Lobby (Map). 

Reserve a "book" at the door or call the Library Information Desk at 519-271-0220. 

For more events don't forget to visit the Culture Days Website.

Available Titles: 

Where in the World is Carmen Grant?
Starting out in small-town Saskatchewan, actress Carmen Grant has lived and worked in nearly every capital city in Canada. In her third season at the Stratford Festival, she plays Isabella in Measure for Measure, and small roles in two other productions. Delve into the details of the constantly changing life of a Leading Lady!

Art Therapy Unwrapped
What can be shared with colours and shapes that can’t be shared with words? Read this book to discover what art therapy is and how it opens communication. Vanessa de Groot has worked with groups from pediatric to geriatric. Explore the power of art-making with this book. 

Nothing Says Peacekeeping Like a Blue Beret
A former Canadian peacekeeper, Frank Reid, shares his unique stories over his career in the Canadian Army. Deployment to Cyprus following the Turkish invasion in the 70's is just one of his peacekeeping experiences. 1972-1979-A Canadian Soldier at Peace is available here as a human book - also in print and an e-book!

Human Rights, Human Resources, The Human Touch
Conflict mediation and harassment investigation are just some of the aspects of Mark Hertzberger's day job. His many stories gleaned from over 23 years in this field make for interesting reading. Included in this book are tips for managing conflicts in your own life and workplace.

Keara's Kauses
Quiet, shy Keara Flood has embarked on some significant projects in an effort to change our world! From the environment to social justice, read how this preteen changemaker is passionate about making a difference - both locally and globally.

Inking the Story
Artist and entrepreneur Curtis Bearss, owner of Bears Skin Tattoos in Stratford, will challenge your tattoo prejudice. The story behind each tattoo is unique to the wearer. Chat with this book to discover some unexpected stories - he's an interesting canvas.

OCD Won't Stop Me!
Diagnosed with Obsessive Compulsive Disorder as a child, Brandon Reynolds hasn't let it slow him down. Share the enthusiam for his award-winning Lego designs and his passion for Pokemon in this illuminating look at a young man's strategies for enjoying life and his hobbies. 

Uganda to Canada - One Family's Story
Growing up in Uganda, Magdaline's family faced persecution for their political beliefs. Her father was killed in the jail where she was also tortured and abused. Magdaline and Moses Mungami Wecheyi will share their incredible stories of poverty and persecution, and their journey to a new life in Canada. 

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Zinio: the world’s largest online newsstand

Click here to access Zinio

Ever want the newest issue of Cottage Life only to choke at the newsstand price, or find that the free local library (a-hem) won’t let you borrow it until it’s a month old? That’s because the local library (a-hem) wants the newest issues to be available to everyone, but since we only get one copy, that means until the next issue arrives, it has to stay on the shelf. Or does it?

Not anymore! Stratford Public Library has just subscribed to Zinio, a new database that has 79 magazines available all the time, digitally, for free. If you have a desktop or laptop computer, Zinio is available to you. If you have a Stratford Public Library card* it is available to use on any mobile device with a browser function. For free. And the digital rights management rules are not as strict as on Overdrive, which means any number of people can read the same issue of Vegetarian Times all at once. No waiting. (Once you subscribe. For free.)

Once you create a Zinio account and subscribe – for free – to the magazines you’d like to read, Zinio emails you to let you know when a new issue arrives. Each magazine (Field and Stream, Azure, Cosmopolitan, Maxim, Canadian Art, the Economist, Discover, Family Handyman, Esquire, Maclean’s, mental_floss … I mean, the list is great), is navigable with the click of a mouse or swipe of a finger, and articles often contain hyperlinks to further information. For instance, if when reading Martha Stewart Living, you see an ad for a fabulous throw pillow and wonder where to get it, there will be a link to the store or designer and a click will bring you right to that website. (There is no way to pin a magazine pic to Pinterest yet, but I’m sure that feature is on the way.) There is even a zoom feature where you can set your own text size default. One of the best features? In magazines like National Geographic there are embedded videos and audio. Another great feature? No due date, no fines! Once you download an issue it is yours to keep forever. For free.

Did I mention all these magazines on Zinio are free? Well, with help from the Friends of the Stratford Public Library and some generous members of the medical staff at Stratford General Hospital, they are. All in one spot, at your fingertips, for free. Get started with Zinio.

*Zinio is not yet available at other libraries in Perth County though – sorry.

This review appears in The Stratford Gazette on September 19, 2013. Written by Robyn Godfrey, Librarian.

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Shelf Life [kids]

Don’t Kiss the Frog!  Compiled by Fiona Waters, 80 pages.

@ SPL:  JP Don’t

    

The modern fairy tales in this quirky collection, subtitled Princess Stories with Attitude, are populated with unconventional princesses who do things their own way.  And why not?  Waiting for a prince to come to the rescue is SO yesterday - and is it really necessary to be a knight in order to defeat a dragon?

    

Readers will meet Princess Greta, who outwits a dastardly fire-breathing dragon which has been stealing lambs, chickens and knights throughout the kingdom.  (She later persuades it to become a vegetarian.) 

    

Princess Rose is determined to choose her own prince to wed (instead of having Prince Charming choose her) – which she does after rescuing him from a bog.

    

Readers will also meet Princess Jane, who has been raised as an ordinary child, living in a house instead of a castle. When she stays in a castle for the first time, she discovers how uncomfortable and boring the life of a traditional princess really is. Even riding in a horse-drawn carriage is no fun – it’s far too bumpy and uncomfortable.  Soon she ditches the entire princess life – carriage, castle, starchy dresses and scratchy tiara included – and returns in the family minivan to her own comfortable bungalow.

    

The princesses featured in this collection know that there are a couple of truths that should always be observed.  Stay in your fairy godmother’s good books - and above all, don’t kiss the frog!

    

Common sense, a can-do attitude and a generous dose of humour prevail in this fun, colourful anthology of spunky princess stories written by seven children’s authors.  Loosely based on traditional tales such as Sleeping Beauty, The Three Bears and The Frog Prince, this book is a treat.

** Recommended for ages 4 to 7 years.

It’s a Pain to be a Princess!  By Carmen Gil, 28 pages.

@ SPL:  JP Gil

    

If a girl finds that being a princess is a real pain (after all, who really wants to spend the rest of their life tripping over long dresses, walking in shoes that pinch, wearing a heavy crown, taking boring etiquette lessons and waiting for a Prince Charming?), then what can she do?

    

Princess Nona didn’t wait around for anyone else to answer that question!  Knowing that the princess life definitely wasn’t for her, she threw away her crown and went off to find her true destiny.

   

First, Nona became a pirate.  “The plucky princess sailed her ship / With gusto, verve and spleen, / And became the best-known pirate / The world had ever seen!”

    

Despite her success on the seven seas, Nona decided to try something different after a time.  She became a brave knight who rescued cats from trees and snatched helpless princes from the jaws of fiery dragons. 

    

After many knightly adventures, it was time to try something different yet again – something a little safer.  Giving up her horse and armour, Nona became a minstrel and storyteller, travelling from town to town to tell stories and rhymes, sing and perform juggling tricks, to the delight of young and old alike.  

    

Nona now realized that she had found her true destiny. In making other people happy as a storyteller, Nona had found her own happiness – and her father, the king, agreed that this was the best choice. “To bring her back / Would make her life a mess / For Nona simply was not born to be / A fairytale princess.”

    

Carmen Gil’s pleasing tale of following one’s dreams is nicely enhanced with rhyming text and the whimsical art of Daniel Galan.

** Recommended for ages 5 to 7 years.  

This review appeared in The Stratford Gazette on September 12, 2013. Written by Sally Hengeveld, Librarian.

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We Go Live, in Colour!

The Stratford Public Library is pleased to announce two new services - colour photocopying and scanning to email and USB.

Colour printing costs 75 cents per a page and can be printed single or double sided on letter, legal, and ledger sized paper. Double sided prints are charged per side.

Scanning is quick and easy - bring your own USB or purchase one at the circulation desk for $8.00. Even easier - send your scans directly to your email address or to the person requesting the document. Scanned documents can be converted to popular document file types.

If you'd like help just ask at the desk.

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Shelf Life [adult]

Heirs and Graces: A Royal Spyness Mystery by Rhys Bowen

@SPL FIC Bowen

The fall bestsellers are arriving fast and furiously, and the first I picked up was the newest installment of the adventures of Lady Victoria Georgiana Charlotte Eugenie, daughter to the Duke of Atholt and Rannoch – otherwise known as Georgie (who would be great-great-cousin several times removed of another new Royal named George, but I digress). This series gets better and better, with quicker pacing, witty dialogue and charmingly quirky characters from the upper-crust of whom even the Dowager Countess of Grantham would approve. Although we still do not know how Georgie will make her way in the world, or what exactly her dashing fiancée Darcy does for a living (it is all very mysterious), this time around Georgie is doing exactly what she was brought up to do – be graceful and teach proper posh British etiquette to the long-lost heir to an ancient line of Dukes. Except that John, or Jack as he prefers to be called, is the prime suspect in the murder of the Cedric, the previous Duke, since it was Jack’s hunting knife buried to the hilt in Cedric’s back. But since Jack rather resents being snatched from his Australian ranch to be plopped down in the middle of a damp and drizzly land, and is resisting all attempts to turn him into a toffee-nosed aristocrat, Georgie wonders if someone else in the eccentric household might be a more likely murderer. Cedric threatened to turf his sister Lady Irene and her three children out on their ears, as well as his two widowed aunts; he was also about to dislodge some employees from their homes on his estate in order to build a theatre which did not endear him to their tenants. Cedric also hurt his own closest friends, a group of gay young men known as the Starlings, with a startling announcement designed to throw the whole household into an uproar. As with any cozy mystery, neither the plot nor characters are particularly sophisticated, but like the folks of Downton Abbey, they are fun to visit for a brief time. Find Heirs and Graces, or any of the other six titles in this series at http://spl.bibliocommons.comunder the tag Shelf Life Reviewed.

This review appears in The Stratford Gazette on September 12, 2013. Written by Robyn Godfrey, Librarian.

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Shelf Life [kids]

The Monster Who Did My Math by Danny Schnitzlein, 30 pages.

@ SPL:  JP Schni

    

Danny Schnitzlein’s new picture book, The Monster Who Did My Math, is a modernized version of the traditional tale Rumpelstiltskin.

    

Certain that he can’t master his math homework, a young boy frets about it all weekend. When he finally tackles it late Sunday evening, he feels overwhelmed.  Suddenly a math monster appears and offers to do the homework. The boy is only too happy to accept and he signs the contract presented to him.

    

The next morning, and the morning after that, he astounds his teacher (and himself) with perfect homework. 

    

However when the student is asked to work out some math equations at the blackboard for the class, he can’t solve them, having learned nothing from the homework that he didn’t do.  He “fires” the monster that evening and is immediately presented with a large bill. The boy raids his piggy-bank, totals up his coins and finds that it isn’t enough. He looks in his sweater drawer, finds more coins, adds them up and realizes that he needs still more. Pockets, a shoebox, his sock drawer and the clothes hamper yield more money and after adding it in, the boy is finally able to pay his bill. The monster leaves, angrily insisting that the boy will need his help again.

    

After all his calculations to pay the bill, however, the boy realizes that he is now capable of doing his own math homework, and the next evening, he confidently finishes it on his own.

    

This clever, upbeat tale, told in rhyme, will resonate especially with children who lack confidence in their own math abilities.

** Recommended for ages 4 to 7 years. 

Splat and the Cool School Trip by Rob Scotton, 32 pages.

@ SPL:  JP Scott

    

When Splat the Cat’s teacher, Mrs. Wimpydimple, announced that the class was taking a trip to the zoo, Splat was so excited that he could hardly sleep the night before. 

    

Each student in the class had a different zoo animal that they were most excited about seeing. For some, it was the giraffes; for others it was the elephants or the monkeys. Splat was most interested in seeing the penguins - he loved the black and white birds with their big eyes and awkward waddle.

    

Seymour, Splat’s pet mouse, was very disappointed that he couldn’t go to the zoo too – but as everyone knows, elephants are afraid of tiny mice. 

    

Seymour decided to cook up a plan to attend anyway …

    

At the zoo, the class happily visited the giraffes, elephants, monkeys and other animals but at the end of the afternoon, the students learned that they couldn’t see the penguins. Why?  A sign explained: “Due to an elephant breaking the pool the penguins cannot come out today. Sorry!”

    

Splat was devastated.  What had happened … and how could he see the penguins after all?

    

Fortunately, Seymour (who had caused the problem for the penguins in the first place with his “clever” plan) had another plan, one which would make things right again for Splat and the penguins. 

    

Splat and the Cool School Trip is the latest hilarious Splat adventure by author-artist Rob Scotton.

** Recommended for ages 4 to 7 years. 

This review appeared in The Stratford Gazette on September 12, 2013. Written by Sally Hengeveld, Librarian.

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Shelf Life [adult]

Letters from Skye by Jessica Brockmole

@SPL: FIC Brock

An epistolary novel is one written as a series of letters or diary entries. Generally this makes them both quick to read and very tantalizing, as readers become virtual voyeurs into the lives of those penning the letters. Letters from Skye is this kind of novel, and also one that time-shifts to a certain extent. Elspeth Dunn, a poet on the Isle of Skye in Scotland is flattered to get a letter from a fan from America, a young man named Davey. Where Davey has bravado and gumption, Elspeth is spirited but cautious. Where Davey is uncertain of his future, Elspeth knows where she belongs. Yet so begins a long correspondence through which they encourage each other, share dreams and fears, and eventually fall deeply in love. World War I brings Davey to Europe and they are finally able to meet, but with devastating consequences.

A mere 20-odd years later on the eve of World War II, Margaret visits her mother Elspeth in Edinburgh to tell her she and her childhood sweetheart have become engaged, even though Paul has joined up to fight. Elspeth is furious but before Margaret can discern why, the house is nearly destroyed by a bomb and Margaret finds her shocked mother clutching a sheaf of letters from someone named Davey to a woman called Sue. And then... Elspeth disappears.

Elspeth has always hidden part of her past from Margaret, and now Margaret is determined to reach out to relatives she has never met to both find her mother and mend their rift, and discover what it was in her mother's past that made her shut herself off from part of the world. Thus readers are treated to not only Elspeth's full story, but Margaret's discovery of a family, a history and a mother she never really knew.

Although more bittersweet in nature, Letters from Skye is sure to please readers who enjoyed other epistolary novels like The Guernsey Literary and Potato-Peel Society, or novels of deep and enduring love, like Samatha Sotto's Before Ever After.   Find Letters from Skye under the tag Shelf Life Reviewed at http://spl.bibliocommons.com

This review appears in The Stratford Gazette on September 5, 2013. Written by Robyn Godfrey, Librarian.

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Shelf Life [kids]

Chamelia and the New Kid in Class, by Ethan Long, 32 pages.

@ SPL:  JPLong

Chamelia was an unusual chameleon. Unlike most chameleons, she did not want to blend in with her surroundings and hide.  Instead, Chamelia liked to “make a splash” and stand out in a crowd.  She thrived on attention, especially at school.

That was why Chamelia was so annoyed one day when a new student stole the spotlight and quickly became the centre of attention.  Cooper made friends easily, both in the classroom and on the playground. He was the best soccer player. He was the best artist in the class, and everyone wanted him to draw their portrait. His new games were a hit with everyone, and he brought yummy frosted cupcakes to school on his birthday.

Chamelia was outshadowed, and she didn’t like it at all!  How could she regain centre stage among her friends and classmates?

    

She hatched a plan.  On Show-and-Tell Day, she did her best to distract her classmates just as Cooper was proudly showing his rock collection. She yawned - and yawned again.  She blew raspberries. She yawned some more.  Her plan worked, and everyone was totally distracted.

    

However, as Chamelia looked at Cooper’s sad, embarrassed face, she got a not-so-nice feeling in her stomach. Right away, she decided to change her game plan and show her classmates what a true star would do.

    

Readers will enjoy the way in which this story ends, with Chamelia making a new best friend.    

    

Ethan Long, a father of three young children, is both author and illustrator of this entertaining picture book with its message about jealousy, empathy and friendship. His earlier picture book, Chamelia, can also be found at the Stratford Public Library.

** Recommended for ages 4 to 7 years.

Z is for Moose, by Kelly Bingham, 32 pages.

@ SPL:  JPBingh

    

Nobody wants to be left out – especially the big brown moose who is so enthusiastic about being included in an alphabet that he can’t wait his turn.  Before the letter “M” is reached, Moose tries to push aside Duck at “D” and Elephant at “E”, replace the hat at “H” and butt into the ice cream at “I”.

      

Zebra, sporting a black-striped shirt as the referee, is having none of it.  “No. Moose does not start with D, E, H or I!  You are on the wrong page.”  

    

Moose simply must wait for “M”.

    

However, at “M”, Zebra chooses Mouse instead of Moose.  Moose is shattered and retreats offstage in tears.

    

As “X” and “Y” are reached, it appears that there’s nowhere at all in the alphabet for Moose.  But wait! 

At “Z”, Zebra has a wonderful, heart-warming surprise for Moose.

    

With Moose’s Bullwinkle-like face, his goofy antics and a just-right conclusion, Z is for Moose is a hilarious picture book with lots of action – a perfect choice for those who are learning or re-learning the alphabet - and for anyone who enjoys an amusing story. 

** Recommended for ages 3 to 6 years.

This review appeared in The Stratford Gazette on September 5, 2013. Written by Sally Hengeveld, Librarian.

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