Book Character Pumpkin Decorating Contest
• Parents may help children paint and decorate their pumpkin.
• Carved pumpkins will not be accepted – only painted/decorated whole pumpkins may be entered.
• Submissions will not be accepted before 9 a.m. 10/16, or after 8 p.m. 10/19.
• All contest submissions must be accompanied by an entry form, available in the Youth Services desk.
• All pumpkins must be picked up by 1 p.m. on October 31.
Books for Children With Food Allergies
Life can feel so much harder when food allergies and intolerances stop you from safely enjoying food, especially when you’re a little kid. Children don’t always understand why their friends at school or their family members can eat certain foods and they can’t, which can be socially isolating.
Many allergies can also be life-threatening, so it is important to teach children about them at an early age so they can understand just how careful they need to be, whether they themselves have an allergy or someone they know does. Food allergies can sound scary, but learning about how to live with them doesn’t have to be.
If you’re looking for materials that will help your child understand food allergies and how to feel about them, allow them to see themselves represented in a book, or teach you safe recipes and tips for helping your child navigate their allergies, check out these helpful books and online resources below.
Picture Books on Gluten Intolerance:
A Gluten-Free Birthday for Me! By Sue Fliess
I’m a Gluten-Sniffing Service Dog by Michal Babay
The Gluten Glitch by Stasie John
Eating Gluten-Free with Emily: A Story for Children with Celiac Disease by Bonnie J. Kruszka
Picture Books on Peanut Allergies:
The Peanut-Free Café by Gloria Koster
The Princess and the Peanut Allergy by Wendy McClure
No Peanuts for Pete by Christina Roderick
Picture Books on Other Food Allergies:
Daniel Has an Allergy by Angela C. Santomero
The Bugabees: Friends with Food Allergies by Amy Recob
Books for Parents of Children With Food Allergies
Guides:
Kid’s Guide to Life with Food Allergies by Kai Brown
My Kids Can’t Eat That! (EBK): How to Deal with Allergies & Intolerances in Children by Christine Bailey
Safe Recipes:
Allergies, Away!: Creative Eats and Mouthwatering Treats for Kids Allergic to Nuts, Dairy, and Eggs by Frances Park
Eat Like a Dinosaur: Recipe & Guidebook for Gluten-free Kids by Paleo Parents
The Food Allergy Mama’s Easy, Fast Family Meals: Dairy, Egg, and Nut Free Recipes for Every Day by Kelly Rudnicki
Fearless Food: Allergy-Free Recipes for Kids by Katrina Jorgensen
Online Resources:
Food Allergy Research & Education (FARE)
“Best Food Allergy Online Support” – MyKidsFoodAllergies
– Haley, Youth Services Assistant
FDL Reads: Dune: The Graphic Novel
Dune: The Graphic Novel, Book 1
By: Frank Herbert, adapted by Brian Herbert
Reviewed by: Melissa Friedlund, Reference Specialist
Genre: Science Fiction
Suggested Age: Teens, Adults
What is the book about? This book is the latest graphic novelization of the science fiction classic, Dune, written by Frank Herbert in 1965. It is an epic story of greed, mysticism, and betrayal all set in the far distant future when Earth is a barely remembered footnote and interstellar politics revolve around the precious spice from the planet Arrakis. The royal House Harkonnen has controlled Arrakis for forty years, but now the emperor has ordered their rival, House Atreides, to take their place. Trading their vibrant, water-rich, ancestral planet of Caladan for the what seems like the desolate wasteland of Arrakis, also called “Dune,” the members of House Atreides follow the emperor’s orders all while anticipating a deadly trap.
My Review: If you’ve never tackled the original novel, this would be a great introduction into Frank Herbert’s Dune universe. This graphic novel is a scene-by-scene adaptation of the first part of the original novel, but the artwork allows you to absorb quickly what Herbert may have taken pages to describe. Since I am a big fan of the 1984 film version, I relished the similarities this book has with that film, especially the dialogue. I found the artwork to be fantastic, especially how it conveyed the powerful nature of the giant sandworms and how the ornithopers looked like sleek birds cutting through the air. Overall, this was a faithful and enjoyable rendition of the pivotal science fiction classic. The graphic novel series of Dune will be published as a series of three books. I am eagerly anticipating the next two in the series, as well as the new movie adaptation coming out in October.
Three Words That Describe This Book: Saga, Space Opera, Expansive
Give This a Try if You Like…Dune by Frank Herbert, Fahrenheit 451: The Authorized Adaptation by Tim Hamilton & Ray Bradbury, or Leviathan Wakes by James S.A. Corey
Rating: 5/5
#FDL: Banned Books Week
This week is Banned Books Week. The American Library Association discusses the purpose and history of Banned Books Week here:
“Banned Books Week (September 26-October 2) is an annual event celebrating the freedom to read. Typically held during the last week of September, it spotlights current and historical attempts to censor books in libraries and schools. It brings together the entire book community — librarians, booksellers, publishers, journalists, teachers, and readers of all types — in shared support of the freedom to seek and to express ideas, even those some consider unorthodox or unpopular.
The books featured during Banned Books Week have all been targeted for removal or restriction in libraries and schools. By focusing on efforts across the country to remove or restrict access to books, Banned Books Week draws national attention to the harms of censorship.”
The ALA Office for Intellectual Freedom tracked 156 challenges to library, school, and university materials and services in 2020. Of the 273 books that were targeted, here are the most challenged, along with the reasons cited for censoring the books.
Despite the efforts of challenges, these materials have, for the most part, remained available to read. So, stop by the library or place one of these books on hold to celebrate your freedom to read.
- George by Alex Gino
Reasons: Challenged, banned, and restricted for LGBTQIA+ content, conflicting with a religious viewpoint, and not reflecting “the values of our community” - Stamped: Racism, Antiracism, and You by Ibram X. Kendi and Jason Reynolds
Reasons: Banned and challenged because of author’s public statements, and because of claims that the book contains “selective storytelling incidents” and does not encompass racism against all people - All American Boys by Jason Reynolds and Brendan Kiely
Reasons: Banned and challenged for profanity, drug use, and alcoholism, and because it was thought to promote anti-police views, contain divisive topics, and be “too much of a sensitive matter right now” - Speak by Laurie Halse Anderson
Reasons: Banned, challenged, and restricted because it was thought to contain a political viewpoint and it was claimed to be biased against male students, and for the novel’s inclusion of rape and profanity - The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian by Sherman Alexie
Reasons: Banned and challenged for profanity, sexual references, and allegations of sexual misconduct by the author - Something Happened in Our Town: A Child’s Story About Racial Injustice by Marianne Celano, Marietta Collins, and Ann Hazzard, illustrated by Jennifer Zivoin
Reasons: Challenged for “divisive language” and because it was thought to promote anti-police views - To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee
Reasons: Banned and challenged for racial slurs and their negative effect on students, featuring a “white savior” character, and its perception of the Black experience - Of Mice and Men by John Steinbeck
Reasons: Banned and challenged for racial slurs and racist stereotypes, and their negative effect on students - The Bluest Eye by Toni Morrison
Reasons: Banned and challenged because it was considered sexually explicit and depicts child sexual abuse - The Hate U Give by Angie Thomas
Reasons: Challenged for profanity, and it was thought to promote an anti-police message
#FDL is a weekly update on all things Fondulac District Library and books.
FDL Reads: The Lost Apothecary
The Lost Apothecary by Sarah Penner
Reviewed by: Susie Rivera, Reference Specialist
Genre: Fantasy, Historical Fiction
Suggested Age: Adults
What is This Book About?: In the late 1700s, Nella runs a hidden apothecary shop in London. Rather than dispensing concoctions for healing, Nella gives out poisons to women who want to get rid of men who have wronged them. In present day, Caroline is vacationing in London without her husband. Caroline studied English literature and history but gave up her dreams of becoming a historian when she took a desk job at her parents’ estate. While on a mud larking expedition, she happens upon an old apothecary vile and begins to investigate its origins. As she digs more into her research, unexpected connections between the past and future come to light.
My Review: I read this novel for our FDL Swords and Sorcery fantasy book club. This book was definitely heavy on the historical fiction side, rather than fantasy. The fantasy aspect does pop up in the end, however. If you like your fantasy heavy on the magic, etc. then this is probably not the book for you. I enjoyed it and was actually hooked from the first chapter. Though some events are a little implausible, I will give Sarah Penner some leeway as this is her debut novel.
Three Words That Describe This Book: Secrets, Girl Power, Concoctions
Give this a try if you like… In the Dark by Loreth Anne White, The Other Mrs. by Mary Kubica, Writers and Lovers by Lily King
Rating: 4/5
Yoga for Kids – Library Resources
If you’ve been thinking about trying out yoga with your family, but aren’t sure where to start, this is for you! Yoga can be intimidating, especially for kids. The library’s new Yoga for Mindfulness STEAM Kit is the perfect way to introduce yoga in a playful setting with no pressure! (Check out the other new STEAM Kits for kids here.)
Yoga for Mindfulness STEAM Kit
The kit includes two games: Yoga Dice and the Yoga Spinner game. Yoga Dice is a collaborative game where the players race against a token of focus stones to complete the poses on the dice. The instructions are clear and simple – no yoga experience necessary! My 5-year-old and 8-year-old, who generally refuse to practice yoga with me, LOVED this game!
The Yoga Spinner game involves completing the poses on the spinner to collect a card of each of the four colors. As of the writing of this, my family hasn’t fully played this game, but they were both very excited to play it and disappointed when we had to stop. This game involves partner poses – which can be a little tricky!
Yoga for Kids by Susannah Hoffman is the book included in the kit with lots of awesome pictures and instructions for both parents and kids!
Other books on yoga for kids at our library include:
I am Yoga by Susan Verde Illustrated by Peter H. Reynolds
Good Morning, Yoga by Mariam Gates illustrated by Sarah Jane Hinder
Breathe Like a Bear by Kira Willey
Sitting Still Like a Frog Activity Book: 75 Mindfulness Games for Kids by Eline Snel
– Cassie, Youth Services Assistant