Fondulac District Library (309) 699-3917|400 Richland Street East Peoria, IL 61611

FDL Reads: Circe

Circe by Madeline Miller

Reviewed by: Isaac Jacobs, Reference Assistant

Genre: Mythology, Fantasy

Suggested Age: Adults

What is This Book About?: Circe revisits the mythology of Circe, a daughter of Helios, god of the Sun. An unusual daughter, she does not possess strong powers or divine beauty. In fact, she sounds like a mortal- a source of disdain from her family.  With a curious mind and a dangerous fondness for humans, she discovers her skills as a witch and gets herself into messy situations with her spells and potions, proving to be a potential problem for the Olympian gods. Cast into exile by Zeus, she is banished to a deserted island where she nurtures her skills in witchcraft, befriends beasts, and falls in sync with nature. She has encounters with famous figures in mythology, such as Daedalus and Icarus, the Minotaur, and Odysseus. However, with the moments of bliss come dangers of many types, both mortal and divine.

My Review: As a Classics major, I have always loved reading mythology. Unfortunately, some myths are biased and illustrate very shallow characters. I have always viewed Circe’s story as this- neglected and missing context. She is famously deemed as a malicious and scheming woman- but Madeline Miller brings to life her journey that leads to the character we know of today. She delves into the complicated nature of both Circe’s familial and mortal relationships and the internal war of divinity versus mortality. Which is worth it, and will she have the ability to make this choice?

And I truly think that this book has a broader message beyond the retelling of Circe’s story, but to our own lives; finding who we are, and what we want in our lives.

Three Words That Describe This Book: Captivating, eye-opening, surprising

Give this a try if you like… The Midnight Library by Matt Haig, mythological fiction,

Rating: 5/5

Find it at the library!

About FDL Reads

FDL Reads is a series of weekly book reviews from Fondulac District Library.

FDL Reads
2021-09-02T16:08:23-05:00September 2nd, 2021|

Lemonade Days!

What does summertime mean to you? Fun in the sun? Baseball? Barbecues? Swimming?

For me, nothing says summer like relaxing with an ice-cold glass of lemonade and a good book… about lemonade!!!

Not only is lemonade a great way to cool off on a hot summer day, it can be a fun life lesson for kids and adults alike. Whether you buy a powder mix at the grocery store or squeeze the lemons yourself, you’ll have a wonderful treat.

Here’s a recipe to try from the book Florentine and Pig by Ava Katzler:

Florentine’s Homemade Pink Lemonade with Fresh Berry Ice Cubes

Serves 6

For the ice cubes:

  • A big handful of fresh berries – Strawberries, raspberries, or blueberries

For the lemonade:

  • A big bottle of seltzer water
  • 5 lemons
  • 2 tbsp pomegranate juice
  • 6 tbsp honey

Directions:

  1. Pop one or two berries into each compartment of an ice cube tray. Fill with water and freeze overnight.
  2. Pour the seltzer water into a big pitcher and squeeze in the juice of 4 lemons.
  3. Ask an adult to cut the last lemon int chunks (with the peel still on!) and add to the seltzer.
  4. Pour the pomegranate juice into the seltzer.
  5. Stir in the honey and add your beautiful berry ice cubes just before you serve it to your thirsty friends.

Check out the following lemonade books at the library!

Books with Lemonade Recipes:

Who knew there were so many ways to make lemonade?

Chemistry You Can Chomp by Jessie Alkire

Slurpable Smoothies and Drinks by Kari Cornell

Snackable Science Experiments: 60 Edible Tests to Try and Taste by Emma Vanstone

The Lemonade Stand Cookbook by Kathy Strahs

Picture Books about Lemonade:

Maisy makes Lemonade by Lucy Cousins

The End by David LaRochelle

The Berenstain Bears’ Lemonade Stand by Mike Berenstain

Florentine and Pig by Eva Katzler

Chapter Books about Lemonade:

The Lemonade War by Jacqueline Davies

Karen’s Lemonade Stand by Ann M. Martin

Dracula Doesn’t Drink Lemonade by Debbie Dadey and Marcia Thornton Jones

Last Lemonade Standing by Carolyn Keene

Books about Lemonade Stands:

What a great way to teach children about fun, money, work, and charity.

The Lemonade Ripple by Paul Reichert

Alex’s Lemonade Stand: Charities Stated by Kids by Melissa Sherman Pearl

Be the Change: The Future is in Your Hands by Eunice Moyle and Sabrina Moyle

The Lemonade Stand: A Guide to Encouraging the Entrepreneur in Your Child by Emmanuel Modu

eBooks:

Curious George Lemonade Stand by Erica Zappy

It Began With Lemonade by Gideon Sterer and Lian Cho

Splat the Cat and the Lemonade Stand By Rob Scotton

When Grandma Gives You a Lemon Tree by Jamie L. B. Deenihan and Lorraine Rocha

-Kris, Youth Services Specialist

2021-08-27T17:00:34-05:00August 27th, 2021|

FDL Reads: Foundation

Foundation by Isaac Asimov

Reviewed By: Jeremy Zentner, Reference Assistant

Genre: Science Fiction

Suggested Age:  Adults and teenagers

What is This Book About? A human empire rules the galaxy, but a new science known as psychohistory determines, without fail, that the empire is about to collapse, and that humanity is heading into a 30,000-year dark age. Published in 1951, Foundation was originally written as a series of stories chronicling the demise of a star-faring civilization and the few bold people attempting to jump-start a new empire. Initially, the reader will follow a scientist who warns of the empire’s collapse and his desire to establish a galactic encyclopedia to safeguard the empire’s knowledge and technology. However, not everything is as noble as it seems, and a more complex vision emerges to dominate future history. This novel is also the basis for the new TV series Foundation, which will be on AppleTV+.

My Review: This is a good novel if you are interested in the defining classics in space opera or general science fiction. It is also a great way for history buffs to read about a science fiction that follows the “historic” trends of Western civilization. What I like about this novel is that it somewhat parallels with the fall of the Roman Empire, religious authorities filling the power vacuum, and later nation-states and economic forces ruling the day, all on a galactic scale. In conjunction with this, there is the ever-present science fiction techno wizardry like starships and personalized energy shields that truly make it sci-fi. There are many twists and turns as the reader is pulled into a whirlwind of interstellar intrigue while discovering the true nature of Foundation.

Three Words that Describe this Book: Classic, intelligent, space opera

Give This A Try if You Like… Dune; I, Robot; Childhood’s End

Rating: 4/5

Find it at the library!

About FDL Reads

FDL Reads is a series of weekly book reviews from Fondulac District Library.

FDL Reads
2021-09-15T11:50:41-05:00August 27th, 2021|

#FDL: Young Adult Book Giveaway

Love is a Revolution by Renee Watson

When Nala Robertson reluctantly agrees to attend an open mic night for her cousin-sister-friend Imani’s birthday, she finds herself falling in instant love with Tye Brown, the MC. He’s perfect, except… Tye is an activist and is spending the summer putting on events for the community when Nala would rather watch movies and try out the new seasonal flavors at the local creamery. In order to impress Tye, Nala tells a few tiny lies to have enough in common with him. As they spend more time together, sharing more of themselves, some of those lies get harder to keep up. As Nala falls deeper into keeping up her lies and into love, she’ll learn all the ways love is hard, and how self-love is revolutionary.

In Love Is a Revolution, plus size girls are beautiful and get the attention of the hot guys, the popular girl clique is not shallow but has strong convictions and substance, and the ultimate love story is not only about romance but about how to show radical love to the people in your life, including to yourself.

Wild Ones by Nafiza Azad

Meet the Wild Ones: girls who have been hurt, abandoned, and betrayed all their lives. It all began with Paheli, who was once betrayed by her mother and sold to a man in exchange for a favor. When Paheli escapes, she runs headlong into a boy with stars in his eyes. This boy, as battered as she is, tosses Paheli a box of stars before disappearing.  With the stars, Paheli gains access to the Between, a place of pure magic and mystery. Now, Paheli collects girls like herself and these Wild Ones use their magic to travel the world, helping the hopeless and saving others from the fates they suffered.  Then Paheli and the Wild Ones learn that the boy who gave them the stars, Taraana, is in danger. He’s on the run from powerful forces within the world of magic. But if Taraana is no longer safe and free, neither are the Wild Ones. And that…is a fate the Wild Ones refuse to accept. Ever again.

As Far As You’ll Take Me by Phil Stamper

Marty arrives in London with nothing but his oboe and some savings from his summer job, but he’s excited to start his new life–where he’s no longer the closeted, shy kid who slips under the radar and is free to explore his sexuality without his parents’ disapproval.  From the outside, Marty’s life looks like a perfect fantasy: in the span of a few weeks, he’s made new friends, he’s getting closer with his first ever boyfriend, and he’s even traveling around Europe. But Marty knows he can’t keep up the facade. He hasn’t spoken to his parents since he arrived, he’s tearing through his meager savings, his homesickness and anxiety are getting worse and worse, and he hasn’t even come close to landing the job of his dreams. Will Marty be able to find a place that feels like home.

Annotations from the publishers
–Post by Susie Rivera, Reference Specialist

#FDL is a weekly update on all things Fondulac District Library and East Peoria.

2021-08-23T13:59:16-05:00August 21st, 2021|

FDL Reads: The Switch

The Switch by Beth O’Leary

Reviewed by:  Dawn Dickey

Genre:  Romance

Suggested Age:  Adults

What is the book about?:  Leena has a high-powered job in London. Leena’s grandmother, 79-year-old Eileen, lives in a village in Yorkshire – the same town where Leena’s mother lives. All three have suffered the tragic death of Leena’s sister, Carla, due to cancer. On the surface, perhaps, Leena is coping, but the reality is different. Following a disastrous, public meltdown with a client, Leena’s employers order her to take two months’ leave to get herself together. She retreats to her grandmother’s house in Yorkshire, where Leena finds that her recently divorced grandmother is also in need of a change. Leena comes up with the brilliant idea for the two to switch lives, even down to the switching of phones. So Grandma Eileen is off to London, while Leena rusticates in Yorkshire. Let the fun begin!

My Review:  I loved the characters in this book! The main characters are funny, quirky, at times angry, and believable. The varied circle of friends in London and Yorkshire (from eccentric old age pensioners to best friends and roommates) add vibrancy and more humor to the switch. The family trio – Grandmother Eileen, Mother Marian, and Granddaughter Leena – are a wounded but determined trio. They find their way to beginning to heal with the support of their numerous friends. It’s a zany, bittersweet, heartwarming tale that you will be glad you read!

Three Words That Describe This Book:  heartwarming, funny, cheering

 Give This a Try if You Like…romance novels such as One Day in December by Josie Silver, I Owe You One by Sophie Kinsella or Meet Cute by Helena Hunting

Rating:  5/5

Find it at the library!

About FDL Reads

FDL Reads is a series of weekly book reviews from Fondulac District Library.

FDL Reads
2021-08-31T14:29:05-05:00August 19th, 2021|

Story Time (Online) – Wishes

Welcome to story time. Today’s theme is all about wishes! Let’s get started with our Hello Song!

Hello Song: Clap and Sing Hello!

We clap and sing hello.
We clap and sing hello.
With our friends at story time.
We clap and sing hello!
(Wave and sing hello; stomp and sing hello.)

Fingerplay: The Itsy-Bitsy Spider

The itsy-bitsy spider,

Went up the water spout.

Down came the rain,

And washed the spider out.

Out came the sun,

And dried up all the rain.

And the itsy-bitsy spider,

Went up the spout again.

Flannel Board: Star Light Star Bright

Star light, star bright,

First star I see tonight,

I wish I may, I wish I might,

Have the wish I wish tonight.

Source: First School

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Book: Make a Wish Bear

Written by Greg Foley and published by Viking.

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Flannel Board: I Wish I Were

(sung to the tune of “If You’re Happy and You Know It”)
Oh, I wish I were a floating butterfly, (2 x)
I’d go flutter, flutter, fly in the bright blue sunny sky,
Oh, I wish I were a floating butterfly.

Oh, I wish I were a shiny little fish, (2 x)
I’d go swimmy, swimmy, glide in the big blue ocean tide,
Oh, I wish I were a shiny little fish.

Oh, I wish I were a silver airplane, (2 x)
I’d go soar, soar, soar as my engines loudly roar,
Oh, I wish I were a silver airplane.

Oh, I wish I were a tall, tall leafy tree, (2 x)
I’d be a place to rest for the birdies in their nest,
Oh, I wish I were a tall, tall leafy tree.

Oh, I wish I were a green and speckled frog, (2 x)
I’d go croaky, croaky, croak as I jump into the brook,
Oh, I wish I were a green and speckled frog.

Oh, I wish I were a bright and shining star, (2 x)
I’d go twinkle, twinkle, spark in the nighty nighttime dark,
Oh, I wish I were a bright and shining star.

Source: cfkidslibrarian

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Book: I Wish You More

Written by Amy Krouse Rosenthal & Tom Lichtenheld and published by Chronical Books.

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Flannel Board: Four Stars

Four little stars winking at me.

One shot off and then there were three!

Three little stars with nothing to do.

One shot off, and then there were two!

Two little stars afraid of the sun.

One shot off, and then there was one!

One little star alone is no fun.

It shot off, and then there was none!

Source: Storytime Katie

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Book: Something Extraordinary

Written by Ben Clanton and published by Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers.

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Flannel Board: A Tiny Little Star

There’s a tiny little star

Way up in the sky,

A tiny little star,

Up so very high.

She twinkles brightly

Through the night,

But during the day

She’s out of sight.

Source: Harford County Public Library

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Craft: Dandelion

Kit Supplies:

  • white yarn
  • green pipe cleaner
  • folded index card

Home Supplies:

  • scissors

Instructions:

  1. Use the folded index card or cut a rectangle shape out of the paper plate, approximately 2×3 inches. (I used about 1-1/2×3 inches)
  2. Wrap the white yarn around the rectangle 40 – 50 times. Snip the end. Length does not matter.
  3. Place the green pipe cleaner under the bunch of yarn. With one side of the pipe cleaner left longer than the other, twist the pipe cleaner 3 to 4 times very tightly around the bunch.
  4. Slide the bunch of yarn off the rectangle. Wrap the long side of the pipe cleaner around the base of the bunch of yarn and pinch it tightly so that it holds the yarn in place.
  5. Cut the loops. Trim the yarn to the desired length.

Source: In the Bag Kids’ Crafts

Goodbye Song: We Wave Goodbye like This

We wave goodbye like this.
We wave goodbye like this.
We clap our hands for all our friends.
We wave goodbye like this.

(Repeat)

– Kris, Youth Services Specialist

2021-08-19T14:56:11-05:00August 19th, 2021|

Story Time (Online) – New Books!

Good morning and welcome to story time. I’m Miss Sharon and today I’m going to read some of the new books we have gotten in the library. We always have a great selection!

 

Song: The More We Get Together

The more we get together, together, together,
the more we get together, the happier we’ll be.
Cause your friends are my friends,
and my friends are your friends,
the more we get together the happier we’ll be!

Source: Supersimple A Place To Learn and Grow

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Book: Not Quite Narwhal

Written and illustrated by Jessie Sima.

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Flannelboard: I Took My Frog to the Library

Adapted from the book I Took My Frog to the Library by Eric A. Kimmel

I took my frog to the library, but he jumped on the checkout desk and scared the librarian!

I took my chicken to the library, but she laid an egg by the computers.

I took my pelican to the library, but he hid a book in his beak!

I took my snake to the library, but she shed her skin all over the picture books!

I took my giraffe to the library, but he tried to read over everybody’s shoulder.

I took my hyena to the library, but he laughed so hard during story time that nobody could hear the story!

I took my elephant to the library.  She was very well behaved.  She stacked her books neatly.  She asked the librarian questions.  She listened to the story and laughed in all the right places.

But my elephant is very big!  SO BIG! She wrecked the library!  The bookshelves fell over!

The librarian said, “You are always welcome at the library, but please leave your animals at home.”

So whenever I go to the library… my frog stays home, my chicken stays home, my pelican stays home, my snake stays home, my giraffe stays home, my hyena stays home, and my elephant reads to them!

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Book: What if Pig?

Written and illustrated by Linzie Hunter.

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Flannelboard: Five Little Books

Five little books at the library
Five little books as great as can be
Along comes (insert name) with their library card

To take one home and read

Four little books at the library
Four little books as great as can be
Along comes (insert name) with their library card
To take one home and read

Three little books at the library
Three little books as great as can be
Along comes (insert name) with their library card
To take one home and read

Two little books at the library
Two little books as great as can be
Along comes (insert name) with their library card
To take one home and read

One little book at the library
One little book as great as can be
Along comes (insert name) with their library card
To take one home and read

Credit: What Happens In Storytime

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Book: Llama Glamarama

Written by Simon James Green and illustrated by Garry Parsons.

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Song: Skinnamarink

Skinnamarinky dinky-dink (Put your left elbow in right hand, wave)
Skinnamarinky Doo (Right elbow in left hand, wave)
I (Point to eye)
Love (Cross your arms over your heart)
You! (Point to audience)
Skinnamarinky dinky-dink (Left elbow in right hand)
Skinnamarinky Doo (Right elbow in left hand, wave)
I (Point to your eye)
Love (Cross arms in front of heart)
You! (Point to audience)
I love you in the morning (Cross arms above your head)
And in the afternoon (Cross arms around your chest)
I love you in the evening (Cross around your tummy)
And underneath the moon! (Cross arms above head again)
Skinnamarinky dinky-dink (Left arm in right hand, wave)
Skinnamarinky doo (Right arm in left hand, wave)
I (Point to your eye)
Love (Cross arms in front of heart)
You (Point to audience)
Too (Show two fingers)
Boo boop we doo! (Wave and kiss!)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ix_LyeuYbcI

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Craft: Craft Stick Picture Frame

Pick up a craft kit from the library while supplies last!

Included in kit:

  • Template
  • Craft sticks
  • Glue dots
  • Assorted fun foam shapes
  • Magnet

Directions:

  • Place two vertical sticks on the template.
  • Glue 2 horizontal sticks on top of the vertical strips.
  • Glue 2 more vertical sticks of top.
  • Decorate with fun foam shape.

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Closing Song: Thanks for Coming

(Tune: Oh My Darling Clementine)
Thanks for sitting, thanks for listening,
Thanks for coming here today!
Now that story time is over
Hope you have a lovely day!

Source: Literary Hoots

– Miss Sharon, Youth Services Specialist

2021-08-18T15:52:03-05:00August 18th, 2021|

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