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Apr 03

Book Notes 11/15/2021

Posted to Book Notes on April 3, 2023 at 10:32 AM by Robyn Benda

Blog Book Notes

11/15/2021


The Library will be closed November 25-28 for Thanksgiving. Make sure to stop in before and stock up on reading materials.


The Book of Hope by Jane Goodall and Douglas Abrams

A Survival Guide for Trying Times // Jane Goodall and Douglas Abrams explore through intimate and thought-provoking dialogue one of the most sought after and least understood elements of human nature: hope. Drawing on decades of work that has helped expand our understanding of what it means to be human and what we all need to do to help build a better world, the book touches on vital questions, including: How do we stay hopeful when everything seems hopeless? How do we cultivate hope in our children? What is the relationship between hope and action? While discussing the experiences that shaped her discoveries and beliefs, Jane tells the story of how she became a messenger of hope, from living through World War II to her years in Gombe to realizing she had to leave the forest to travel the world in her role as an advocate for environmental justice. And for the first time, she shares her profound revelations about her next, and perhaps final, adventure.

304.2 GOODALL


Act Like You Got Some Sense by Jamie Foxx

And Other Things My Daughters Taught Me // In this hilarious and heartfelt memoir, award-winning, multi-talented entertainer Jamie Foxx shares the story of being raised by his no-nonsense grandmother, the glamour and pitfalls of life in Hollywood, and the lessons he took from both worlds to raise his two daughters.

791.4302 FOXX


Little Pieces of Hope by Todd Doughty

Happy-Making Things in a Difficult World // On March 11, 2020, the day the World Health Organization declared the coronavirus a global pandemic and all of our lives began to change in unprecedented ways, Todd Doughty knew he needed to do something to help him stay connected to the everyday joys of daily life. So he wrote down a list of things that make him happy. Many, many lists later, this book pulls together the best of Doughty's lists along with never-before-seen entries, essays, musings, prompts, quotes, and playlists that offer solace, connection, and a daily touchstone of joy in a difficult world.

152.42 DOUGHTY


The Woman They Could Not Silence by Kate Moore

One Woman, Her Incredible Fight for Freedom, and the Men Who Tried to Make Her Disappear // 1860: Elizabeth Packard, housewife and mother of six, is facing a horrifying battle with her husband of 21 years. Feeling increasingly threatened by Elizabeth and her brilliant intellect, Theophilus Packard makes a plan to put his wife back in her place. One summer morning, he has her committed to an insane asylum. The horrific conditions inside the Illinois State Hospital in Jacksonville, Illinois, are overseen by Dr. Andrew McFarland, a man who will prove to be even more dangerous to Elizabeth than her traitorous husband. But most disturbing is that Elizabeth is not the only sane woman confined to the institution--and no one is willing to fight for their freedom but Elizabeth herself.

303.48 LP MOORE // Also available in e-audiobook


If you need help accessing any of these titles or using front door pickup, email or call us and we will be happy to assist you!

View Book Notes PDF archiveB

Nov 18

Break the 4th Wall by Genesis Gaule

Posted to Campbell Unclassified on November 18, 2022 at 10:50 AM by Genesis Gaule

12 Interactive Picture Books

Do you remember the last time a book spoke to you? Now, I’m not talking about the one that deeply touched your heart. Rather, a book where the characters leap from the page and speak directly to you, the reader–otherwise known as “breaking the fourth wall.”

Perhaps yours was The Book with No Pictures or Harold and the Purple Crayon? The one that imprinted most clearly on me is the classic Sesame Street picture book “The Monster at the End of this Book” by Jon Stone. As you turn each page, cute furry Grover, afraid there is a monster at the end of the book, (rather adorably) begs you NOT to finish the book and constructs elaborate obstacles to thwart your progress. Of course, that only builds your own curiosity as to what exactly is at the end.

Breaking the fourth wall adds an interactive–often comedic–quality to picture books. Done right, the author reaches out and immerses you directly in the book's struggles, antics, and in some cases, even allows you to help the characters solve their problems. You are no longer simply a spectator of these storiesyou are an active participant!

Are you and your little one ready to become part of the story? Check out these delightful, wall-breaking reads:

Reader Participation:

When your actions influence the story/book or contain call-and-response actions

High Five

by Adam Rubin & Daniel Salmieri

From the author of kid favorite Dragons Love Tacos! Animals present their hand slapping skills to the reader, just in time for the annual high five contest.


This Book Just Ate My Dog!

by Richard Byrne

When her dog disappears into the gutter of the book, Bella calls for help. But when the helpers disappear too, Bella realizes it will take more than a tug on the leash to put things right.


Can You Make a Scary Face?

by Jan Thomas

What kind of a face would you make if a tickly green bug were sitting on your nose? Or eek! inside your shirt? Could you make a scary face to frighten it away? Yes? Then better get to it!


Press Here

by Herve Tullet

Each page of this imaginative touch book instructs the reader to push the button, shake it up, tilt the book, and who knows what will happen next!


From Head to Toe

by Eric Carle

This energetic book will have young readers clapping their hands, stomping their feet, and wiggling their toes along with its colorful assortment of animals.


Characters Talk to the Reader:

First person perspective (ex: "I walked to the store") with a twist!

Life on Mars

by Jon Agee

In this sneaky, silly picture book, an intrepid—but not so clever—space explorer is certain he’s found the only living thing on Mars. Readers will love being in on a secret that is unbeknownst to the explorer.


Reader as Narrator:

A variation of character and reader interaction, where you become the narrator of the story

The Panda Problem

by Deborah Underwood & Hannah Marks

Every story needs a problem. But Panda doesn't have a problem. Lose control of the narrative in this delightful, funny, and adventurous ode to what makes a story—and what makes a story great.


Counting to Bananas

by Carrie Tillotson & Estrela Lourenço

A banana wants to be the star of this rhyming counting book, but the narrator has other plans.


The Book is Part of the Story:

Where the book itself becomes a character or story element

i cannot draw a horse

I Cannot Draw a Horse

by Charise Mericle Harper

This book can draw a shape. It is a "nothing shape" that can be used to draw a cat, beaver, bunny, dog, turtle, and bear...but what about a horse? The cat really wants a horse. But the book cannot draw a horse. Can the quick-draw book appease the horse-obsessed cat with an impressive collection of “nothing shape” alternatives?


We are in a Book!

by Mo Willems

Gerald and Piggie discover the joy of being read. But what will happen when the book ends? Mo Willems' Elephant & Piggie books usually have at least one fourth wall breaking moment per book but this one does away with the wall entirely!


Breaking Out of Character:

Characters who go in and out of character or make asides to the reader during the story--almost like getting a backstage pass to the action "on set"

Snappsy the Alligator (Did Not Ask to Be in This Book)

by Julie Falatko & Tim J. Miller

Snappsy the alligator is having a perfectly normal day when a pesky narrator steps in to spice up the story.


See the Cat: Three stories about a dog

by David LaRochelle & Mike Wohnoutka

What happens when the book gets it wrong? Max is not a cat--Max is a dog! But much to his dismay, this book keeps instructing readers to "see the cat." How can Max get through to the book that he is a dog? // Also check out the sequel: See the Dog: Three stories about a cat



Nov 01

The Magical World of [Stop-Motion] Animation by Genesis Gaule

Posted to Campbell Unclassified on November 1, 2021 at 1:31 PM by Genesis Gaule

Combine the right story with animation and it can transport you to another world outside of the confines of reality. Animators and directors make a multitude of artistic choices--colors, lighting, character design, and even what type of animation to use--to how best to tell their story.

3D computer-generated imagery (CGI) is the go-to tool for today’s animated film market and it does have its place in storytelling. However, CGI it’s just one way to tell a story. Below are a few solid examples of the "original" 3D animation: stop-motion. 

stop-motion-1
Behind the scenes of Wallace & Gromit: Curse of the Were-Rabbit

Stop-motion animation is photographed one frame at time, with physical objects (models, clay, and even legos!) that are moved between frames. When you play back the sequence of images rapidly, it creates the illusion of movement. I am continually amazed at the dedication and time it takes to create a finished story in stop-motion. From the tiniest quirk of an eyebrow to fast paced fight sequences, each element of motion is done by hand--frame by painstaking frame. In many cases, you can literally see the fingerprints of the artisans peppered throughout the work!

stop-motion-2
Behind the scenes of Kubo and the Two Strings

Interested in this art form? Stop by the library to check out these movies for yourself:

Wallace & Gromit: The Curse of the Were-Rabbit

DVD | PG | 2006

One of my first introductions to stop-motion were Aardman Studio's original Wallace & Gromit shorts (which are also included on this disc). I instantly fell in love with their madcap antics, distinctly British humor, and the unique animation. Their first feature length film finds our bumbling hero and his competent sidekick on the chase of a mysterious Were-Rabbit causing havoc through out Tottington. A making-of behind the scenes rounds this feature out nicely.

If you are a fan of this style, checkout these other Aardman creations: Chicken Run (DVD | G | 2000), The Pirates! Band of Misfits (DVD | PG | 2012), and Early Man (DVD | PG | 2018).


The Nightmare Before Christmas

Blu-ray | PG | 2023

When Jack Skellington, Halloweentown's beloved pumpkin king, becomes bored with the same annual routine of frightening people in the "real world", he plots to bring Christmas under his control by kidnapping Santa Claus. Tim Burton's signature visuals and haunting catchy music make this a creepy cult classic perfect for Halloween or Christmas.

Love the Burton's creepy atmosphere? Also check out Frankenweenie (Blu-ray | PG | 2012) and James and the Giant Peach ( DVD | PG | 1996)


Coraline

DVD | PG | 2009

LAIKA's first feature length film about an adventurous girl who finds a parallel world behind a secret door in her new home. But little does she know that this idealized "perfect" world contains a dark and sinister secret. A true dark fantasy film, the stop-motion animation enhances is other-worldly feel and is a perfect fit for its chilling visuals.


Kubo and the Two Strings

DVD | PG | 2016

This captivating quest film is one of my favorites on this list. When 12-year-old Kubo accidentally summons a vengeful spirit from the past, he must battle gods and monsters--armed only with a magical instrument and the help of unexpected companions--to set things right. LAIKA’s stunning, beautiful animation features a foundation of hand-created stop-motion animation layered with just the right amount of CGI to give this film extra atmosphere and polish. Be sure to check out the special features to get an inside look at its incredible creation process. The scale of their rigs and models--both big and small--is astounding!

If LAIKA's captured your imagination as they have mine, check out their newest feature Missing Link (DVD | PG | 2019)