Earth Day Books

Check out some of these informative books about global warming, polar animals, and animals in danger.

The Biblioburro

Biblioburro: a True Story from Colombia
Jeanette Winter
2010

Both of these books follow Luis Soriano Bohórquez, a schoolteacher in Colombia who loads books onto his two burros, Alfa and Beto, who help Luis carry them to children, many of whom only get their books from Luis. This is a mobile burro library that brings knowledge and dreams and hope and literature to many people. Both feature beautiful illustrations, although they differ in content delivery method. While Biblioburro is more of a nonfiction narrative, Waiting for the Biblioburro follows the fictional character of Ana as she waits for the Biblioburro like many other children.

Personally, I prefer Biblioburro: a True Story from Colombia a little bit more because it feels a little more simple, but in a very good way. Sometimes simplicity is so beautiful. That is not to say there is anything wrong with Waiting for the Biblioburro, however. This book has its own beauty as well.

Both books include information about Luis and the Biblioburros, and Waiting for the Biblioburro includes a wonderful link to CNN Heroes which features information and a video of Luis and the Biblioburros.

Waiting for the Biblioburro

Monica Brown

illustrated by John Parra

2011

Great Books for March

I wanted to share a few books that would be great to use in the month of March. The first two are story books that would go great together in a Good Luck theme. The first, The Good Luck Cat by Joy Harjo, focuses on a young girl and her cat who has used up eight of its nine lives. What will happen when the cat doesn't return? Has the cat used up all nine lives? This beautiful story is wonderfully illustrated and also includes a Native American family. The second book, Good Luck Bear by Greg E. Foley, features a tiny bear who is in search of a four-leaf clover for good luck. With help from his mouse friend, the little bear finds something even more special!

 If you are planning a program about the myths and folklore and culture of Ireland, these two books would be perfect. The Leprechaun's Kingdom: The World of Banshees, Fairies, Demons, Giants, Monsters, Mermaids, Phoukas, Vampires, Werewolves, Witches, and Many Others by Peter Haining features descriptions of fairies and other mythological creatures from Ireland along with illustrations and stories. A Pot O' Gold: A Treasury of Irish Stories, Poetry, Folklore, and (of Course) Blarney by Kathleen Krull and David McPhail features stories, poetry, and beautiful illustrations all focusing on Ireland. Both of these books would add interesting facts and beautiful images to any program.

Funny Letters from Famous People

I stumbled across Funny Letters from Famous People at the library while helping to weed the collection of nonfiction. It is a book with a large number of letters from well known persons, letters which contain many funny moments. I thought I would post a few examples of the wonderful comedy in this book.



Abraham Lincoln, in response to a request for a "sentiment and an autograph:"
Dear Madam: When you ask from a stranger that which is of interest only to yourself, always enclose a stamp. There's your sentiment, and here's your autograph. A. Lincoln

George Bernard Shaw, to Winston Churchill, inviting him to his play's opening night:
Have reserved two tickets for my first night. Come and bring a friend, if you have one.

Churchill's reply:
Impossible to come first night. Will come second night, if you have one.

Mark Twain to William Dean Howells:
In 1907, Twain sent a letter to the N.Y. Times and signed it on behalf of his friend, William Dean Howells, considered a leading man of letters in America at that time. He sent a copy of the letter to Howells with this note:
Howells, it is an outrage the way the govment is acting so I sent this complaint to the N.Y. Times with your name signed because it would have more weight. Mark.

Charles Dickens has several funny letters in this book. Here is one:
Dickens wrote this letter to John Bennett, the owner of a clock repair shop:

Gad's Hill Place
Higham by Rochester, Kent
Monday night
Fourteenth September, 1863
My Dear Sir:
Since my hall clock was sent to your establishment to be cleaned it has gone (as indeed it always has) perfectly well, but has struck the hours with great reluctance, and after enduring internal agonies of a most distressing nature, it has now ceased striking altogether. Though a happy release for the clock, this is not convenient to the household. If you can send down any confidential person with whom the clock can confer, I think it may have something on its works that it would be glad to make a clean breast of.
Faithfully yours,
Charles Dickens