An American Plague

Today’s post is from Cecily at Haggard Library:

An American Plague: The True and Terrifying Story of the Yellow Fever Epidemic of 1793  by Jim Murphy

In the summer of 1793 the residents of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania were terrified.  A disease they didn’t understand was sweeping through the city killing dock workers, servants, rich businessmen and politicians alike.  No one understood how the disease was spread, much less where it came from, and the only answer they had was to flee their homes if they had enough money. 

 Jim Murphy weaves an engaging and dramatic narrative that takes the reader back to the late 18th century, explaining medical practices and commonly held beliefs of the time and concluding with what we now know about the disease and what really happened.  With an impressive number of primary source documents, such as copies of newspapers from 1793 and letters from the residents of Philadelphia, the reality of life on those streets in the middle of a bewildering time is all too real, and a little frightening.  Also very interesting are the details included about the role that black Philadelphians played in eventually saving their city, and how little they were thanked for it.

Winner of the Orbis Pictus and Sibert Awards for nonfiction, and a Newbery Honor book.  You’ll like this one even if you’re not usually a fan of nonfiction.

Remembering Tasha Tudor

Today’s post is from Cathe at Davis Library:

                              

The Secret Garden illustrated by Tasha Tudor

Tasha Tudor, the renowned illustrator of American children’s books, passed away this week at the age of 92.  According to an obituary published in today’s Dallas Morning News, Miss Tudor’s house in Marlboro, Vermont, was a replica of a nineteenth-century homestead. She made her own old-fashioned clothing, sewed and gardened, and raised goats for their milk. Her way of life very much resembled the America she depicted in her delicate drawings.

PPLS owns many other books illustrated by Tasha Tudor, including Little Women, A Time to Keep: The Tasha Tudor Book of Holidays, A is for Annabelle: A Doll’s Alphabet, and Around the Year.

More information on Miss Tudor is available at her website, www.tashatudorandfamily.com.

 

The Planet Hunter

 

Today’s post is from Chantal at Parr Library:

 

The Planet Hunter by Elizabeth Rysch

What I love about this book is that Rysch takes a complex subject (planet classification) and simplifies it. She adds aspects of the story that would be of particular interest to kids. Readers see Mike Brown, the man who discovered Pluto is not a planet, as a wistful little boy splashing in mud puddles and as a grown-up scientist. Young readers will enjoy learning about the bet he placed with friends that he would find a new planet in the Kuiper Belt. Instead of finding a new planet, Mike finds bright objects near Pluto that upends current scientific thought. We also see him playfully cutting Pluto off his infant daughter’s mobile. Delightful text and illustrations. Includes a poster of the solar system. 

Robot Dreams

Today’s post is from Ramarie at Harrington Library:

Robot Dreams by Sara Varon

Lonely Dog buys a robot kit and builds a robot to keep him company. The two become fast friends but a trip to the beach and a day of swimming does not agree with robot’s metal parts. When Robot is rusted and unable to move, Dog leaves him behind. The emotions portrayed in the illustrations of this wordless graphic novel have the potential to produce an audible, pained sigh from the reader. Their friendship is lost but sentiments are strong. Dog and Robot move on to new lives and new friendships, but their time together lingers forever as does the memory of this touching book. 

On the Road

Today’s post is from June at Schimelpfenig Library:

 

On the Road: Down Girl and Sit  by Lucy Nolan

Once upon a time I had a champion Weimaraner called Moonshadow’s Hush Puppy, a/k/a Betsy-also affectionately known as ‘Betsy No’. Well, just recently, thanks to author Lucy Nolan, I met three lovable characters named Down Girl, Sit, and Here Kitty Kitty.  If my Betsy was still alive, she would have loved this trio since I know for a fact that she did frolic with similar compatriots in her lifetime.

If you are an adult looking for a great stress reliever, allow me to do for you what a co-worker did for me, i.e. take a break from all of those heavy work responsibilities, great American novels, and non-fiction tomes!  Once you meet Down Girl, Sit, and Here Kitty Kitty, I’m sure you will want to read Lucy Nolan’s other great book (Smarter Than Squirrels) which features the infamous three.

So kick back, take a break and enjoy some laughs.

Mr. Rogers

Today’s post is from Laura at Davis Library:

Happy Birthday, Mister Rogers!

Davis Library staffers wore sweaters on Thursday, March 20, to celebrate Sweater Day on what would have been Fred Rogers’ 80th birthday.

Plano Public Libraries carry several books by Fred Rogers, including:

The World According to Mister Rogers: Important Things to Remember is an inspiring collection of thoughts, songs, and meditations.

You Are Special: Words of Wisdom from America’s Most Beloved Neighbor  offers advice on childhood, parenthood, discipline, creativity, and more.

Mr. Rogers also has a series of wonderful non-fiction books for children dealing with a variety of topics.  Some of these titles include Going On an Airplane, Moving, The New Baby, and When a Pet Dies.

There are also DVDs of several episodes of Mister Rogers’ Neighborhood, a music CD of the soundtrack from the show, and a DVD biography of Fred Rogers in the Plano Library System.

Once again, Happy Birthday, Mister Rogers!