Decorating with Literary Style
On Tuesday, Nov. 27, we made gorgeous holiday wreaths out of the pages from falling-apart books at the Shirlington Branch Library:
See more Crafting Events at the Library.
Book Wreaths for the Holidays
Video: Books That Shaped America
88 Titles that Changed the Way We Think
A talk by Mark Dimunation, Rare Books and Special Collections Division Chief at the Library of Congress.
He is joined by Bess Fox, Asst. Professor of Literature and Languages at Marymount University.
Recorded Nov. 28, 2012, at Arlington Central Library.
Great Gifts: Give a Good Book!
Caldecott Round 1: We Have a Winner!
Congratulations to the winner of the first round of the Guess that Caldecott
Graydon guessed the correct title of the 1938 Caldecott winner, Animals of the Bible, which the hippo illustration came from.
Did you miss the deadline for the first contest?
Don’t worry, there are still two rounds left – the second round ends January 3, 2013, so get your guesses in today!
Students Help Michael Northrop Write New Story
Wacky, Collaborative Creativity
On Friday, Dec. 7, Michael Northrop, author of the YA novels Trapped, Plunked, and Gentlemen, spoke with almost 200 middle school students at Thomas Jefferson Middle School for All TAB 2012.
During the talk, students and Mr. Northrop created a story about a Polish girl named Katya, held captive by Santa at the North Pole…
When a hobbit enters the room (but is secretly Wolverine in disguise), he defeats the other elves, and then takes on Santa in a giant battle. When only Wolverine and Rudolph are left standing, suddenly Blitzen enters the battle… But, oh no! Blitzen double crosses Rudolph and comes to Wolverine’s aid!
The event was very silly and lots of fun, and we still can’t decide whether the students were more entertained by Mr. Northrop, or vice versa.
Don’t know anything about Michael Northrop?
Check out our interview on the Teen Blog: Author Michael Northrop Talks Snow, The Red Sox and Waterskiing Squirrels. Then read our reviews of Gentlemen, Trapped and Plunked.
TAB is a reading program for Arlington’s middle and high schoolers, in which students meet during their school lunch periods to discuss new books, and vote on their top books of each year. All TAB is an annual gathering where middle school students get to meet and speak with an author.
TAB is a partnership between Arlington Public School’s middle school librarians, and the Arlington Public Library Youth Services librarians.
Are You the Library's Mystery Donor?
Mysteries are always flying off Arlington Public Library shelves…
But we’re stuck with a real one we can’t solve alone.
A recent contribution of material for the Friends of the Library book sale contained something of significant value that the donor mistakenly included and would no doubt want back.
Sorry but for reasons of verification, we can’t provide more clues.
If you think you might be or know our mystery donor, please call Central Library Manager Margaret Brown at 703-228-5952 to discuss what was lost.
And while everyone loves to solve a good puzzle, no wild guesses please.
Guess That Caldecott – Round 2
What Caldecott Award-winning book did this illustration come from?
In recognition of the upcoming 75th anniversary of the Caldecott Award in January, we’re holding a “Guess That Caldecott” contest!
Do you recognize this illustration, from the second 25 years of the Caldecott? Submit your answer by 9:00 p.m. on Thursday, Jan. 3:
- Use the online form
- Visit the Central Library Youth Services Desk
The winner of our contest will receive a copy of the book that wins the 2013 Caldecott. In the event that there is more than one correct answer, we will determine the winner through a random drawing of all correct answers.
There will be one more opportunity to participate:
- The 3rd illustration will be posted on Friday, Jan. 4, 2013, with a submission deadline of Sunday, Jan. 27.
Need a hint? Check out our Countdown to Caldecott page for a running list of the previous winners!
Edible Book Contest Results
The 2012 Edible Book Contest was a huge success!
Thank you to all of the participants for their creative and witty entries.
The competition at the Cherrydale Branch Library on Saturday, Dec. 1 was fierce, and our judges had to make tough decisions.
Our Fab Judges: Julia, Linda, Justin and David
Some of our lucky winners received copies of the award-winning cookbook Dam Good Sweet-Desserts to Satisfy Your Sweet Tooth New Orleans Style by David Guas and some received cupcake gift certificates for Bakeshop in Clarendon.
Thank you to Linda and Justin Stegall from Bakeshop in Clarendon and David Guas from Bayou Bakery in Courthouse for judging and for donating prizes. A special thank you also to Lebanese Taverna for donating refreshments and our grand prize for this fun community event.
Check Out Our Winners!
Images of all the entries can be viewed on flickr.
Best in Show (Adult) and Viewer’s Choice
Created by Tracey Vail
Best in Show (Kids)
Diary of a Wimpy Kid: Dog Days
Created by Tyler V.
Best Kids Entry
Created by Grace D.
Best Teen Entry
Created by Brigid U.
Best Adult Entry
Created by Michael Gessel
Best Group Entry
Created by Elena L. and Charlotte U.
Best Family Entry
Created by the Burgstein family
Best Staff Entry
Created by Karen Sullivan
Thanks to everyone to entered – we can’t wait to see what you come up with next year!
Our Fifth Annual "Too Cool for Yule Blog"
The classified confetti from Macy’s parade is now gone.
Black Friday and Cyber Monday, too.
It’s that most wonderful time of the year
when holiday tunes reappear
and the sounding joys repeat on and on.
You’re sure to find something new.
Christmas (Baby Please Come Home) by U2?
Acid rock, jazz, classical, neo-prog?
Cementing our rep as a hip library blog.
The playlist lasts about an hour.
So grab a cuppa somethin’; a spot by the fire.
And don’t touch that dial.
Relax; crack a smile.
And jingle, juke and jive for a while.
As you click, spin or play your way into the holidaze
consider posting a comment below with YOUR seasonal faves.
Memories of Hanukah? Eid? Kwanzaa?
Each is welcome in this seasonal bonanza.
APL has had a wonderful year and for that we thank all of you.
We wish you joy and good cheer and a bright new year, too.
The “Don’t Touch That Dial” Mix 2012:
- Joan Baez – Good King Wenceslas (Instrumental) (Instrumental) from “Noel”
- Cyndi Lauper – Blue Christmas from “Blue Christmas”
- Louis Armstrong – Winter Wonderland from “It’s Christmas Time”
- Ella Fitzgerald – Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas from “Ella Wishes You a Swinging Christmas”
- The Accidentals – I’m Not Going Home For Christmas from “Christine Lavin Presents: Just One Angel”
- Miles Davis – Blue Xmas (To Whom It May Concern) from “Jingle Bell Swing”
- Mark Murphy – My Favorite Things from “Rah”
- John Coltrane Quartet – Greensleeves from “Africa/Brass”
- George Strait – Hark, The Herald Angels Sing from “Classic Christmas”
- The Chenille Sisters – Light Of the Stable from “In the Christmas Spirit”
- Jethro Tull – Jack Frost And The Hooded Crow from “Christmas Album”
- Doc Watson – Christmas Lullaby from “Sugar Plums – Holiday Treats from Sugar Hill”
- The Christmas Revels – Brightest And Best from “Christmas Day in the Morning: A Revels Celebration of the Winter Solstice”
- Anonymous 4 – The Shepherd’s Star from “The Cherry Tree: Songs, Carols & Ballads for Christmas”
- Magnum Chorum – Hallelu! from “Wonder Tidings: Christmas Music of Stephen Paulus”
- Susan Graham – Ned Rorem’s Stopping by Woods on a Snowy Evening from “40 Most Beautiful Christmas Classics”
- Musica Intima – The Wexford Carol (arr. L. Price): The Wexford Carol from “O Nata Lux”
- The Moody Blues – White Christmas from “December”
- Cee Lo Green – You’re A Mean One, Mr. Grinch (feat. Straight No Chaser) from “Cee Lo’s Magic Moment”
- The Four Seasons – Santa Claus Is Coming To Town from “The Four Seasons’ Christmas Album”
- Andy Williams with Robert Mersey & His Orchestra (Arranged by Johnny Mandel) – It’s The Most Wonderful Time Of The Year from “The Andy Williams Christmas Album”
- Bonus Track: Dreams So Real – Red Lights (Merry Christmas)
Added in Memoriam, Dec. 5, 2012: Dave Brubeck – The Christmas Song from “A Dave Brubeck Christmas”
And revisit Yule Blogs Past…
All photos by Diane Kresh