Here There Be Dragons…
Dragons have ignited our imaginations for centuries! They’ve been important to fantasy books for just as long. While some dragons are as friendly as can be, there are others who wouldn’t mind a little, tasty human for a snack. Plus, there’s so many different ways dragons can look, depending on the culture they’re from! Some dragons fly through the sky without wings, and some slither over land with no legs. What do dragons look like where your family is from? Here are a couple books for different ages with all sorts of dragons in them!
Picture books:
Ellie’s Dragon by Bob Graham
You Don’t Want a Dragon by Ame Dyckman
Amy Wu and The Patchwork Dragon by Kat Zhang
Have You Seen My Dragon? by Steve Wright
Again! by Emily Gravett
.
Chapter books:
Dragons and Marshmallows by Asia Citro (Zoey and Sassafras book 1)
The Dragon Thief by Zetta Elliott
The Dragonet Prophecy by Tui Sutherland (Wings of Fire book 1)
Where the Mountain Meets the Moon by Grace Lin
The Dragon Warrior by Katie Zhao
.
Graphic novels:
The Dragonet Prophecy by Tui Sutherland (Wings of Fire graphic novel, book 1)
Dragons Beware by Jorge Aguirre
The Coldfire Curse by Jordan Quinn (The Dragon Kingdom of Wrenly book 1)
The Dragon Bots by Russ Bolts (BOTS book 4)
The Dragon Slayer: Folktales from Latin America by Jaime Hernandez
– Alice, Youth Services Manager
New Hours Starting June 1!
Fondulac District Library will expand services and hours starting Tuesday, June 1, 2021!
Expanded hours will be:
Mon-Thurs 9am-8pm
Friday 9am-6pm
Saturday 9am-5pm
Sunday(Sept-May) 1pm-5pm
Expanded services include:
- Study Rooms
- Additional Seating
- Public Bathrooms
- Newspapers
The Friends of FDL’s ongoing book sale will also reopen on June 1! Donations will be accepted, but please limit to one box per household.
Face masks will still be required for all staff and patrons ages two and up.
We appreciate your ongoing support and patience as we transition back to regular services while maintaining some public health measures to keep the community safe!
FDL Reads: Whatcha Mean, What’s a Zine?
Whatcha Mean, What’s a Zine?: The Art of Making Zines and Mini-Comics by Mark Todd & Esther Pearl Watson
Reviewer: Cindy, Youth Services Assistant
Genre: Nonfiction
Suggested Age: Teens, Adults
What is this book about? This book tells you pretty much everything you need to know to start making your own zines or mini comics. It starts off by explaining some of the many reasons people create and read zines and includes a brief history of zine culture and how it changed with various technological advances, most notably the copy machine. The bulk of Whatcha Mean, What’s a Zine? goes into the nitty gritty details of how to make a zine. There are several diagrams showing how to fold and cut paper in different ways and instructions for manipulating copiers to do what you want. If you’ve ever thought about making a zine or comic but didn’t know where to start, this book is exactly what you need.
My Review: This book is essentially a collection of zines that talk about making zines. I was already a little familiar with the concept of zines, but this taught me a lot of new methods for physically making them. Printing and binding your own work can be as simple or as complicated a process as you want it to be, and there are really no limits on what sort of content you create. The authors really emphasize the fact that no matter how weird or boring you might think your ideas are, the act of creating something on your own or with friends can be fun even if no one else ever reads it or gives you money for it. Pretty much the whole point of zines is creative expression.
I only have two slightly negative things to say about this book. One is that some of the pages are hard to read because they are handwritten and have a textured background. That’s pretty common with zines, though. The other is that the printer hacks they talk about probably wouldn’t work on many of the machines available these days. Most copy machines and printers work differently now than they did back in 2006 when this book was written, and it’s even easier for anyone to make art on a computer or tablet for free than it was a few years ago. All of the old-school methods they talk about in this book are definitely still useful, but it would be interesting to see an updated version that looks at some of the ways you can start making a zine online or on an app before printing it out.
Rating: 4/5 stars
Three Words That Describe This Book: practical, informative, artistic
Give This a Try if You Like… journaling, making your own comics, the Riot Grrrl movement
About FDL Reads
FDL Reads is a series of weekly book reviews from Fondulac District Library.
FDL Book Talk (for Kids) – The Sea in Winter
Cassie shares why Christine Day’s The Sea in Winter is the perfect book for young readers (ages 8-12) struggling with hopelessness. Find it on the New book shelf in Youth Services or place a copy on hold through the online catalog.
#FDL Film Review: A Beautiful Day in the Neighborhood
A Beautiful Day in the Neighborhood
Reviewed by: Melissa Friedlund, Reference Specialist
Genre: Biography
Rating: PG
What is the movie about? Some of the names and events have been changed, but this movie is based on a real-life friendship between Fred Rogers and a magazine writer. In 1998, Lloyd Vogel, a writer for Vogue magazine, was given an assignment to profile television personality Fred Rogers, also known as “Mister Rogers.” Up until this point, Lloyd’s writing and his personal life have been filled with bitterness, cynicism, and mistrust. While Lloyd shadows Mister Rogers, we get to see many aspects of their lives, both public and private. Meeting Mister Rogers, a truly genuine person who is wholly caring and honest, forces Lloyd to reexamine his preconceived notions, his feelings, and his life.
My Review: I enjoyed this movie quite a bit. It is a little quirky in its story-telling, like using miniatures reminiscent of those on Mister Rogers’ Neighborhood as setting transitions between scenes. The way Tom Hanks portrays Mister Rogers, you get a real sense that Fred Rogers was not like everyone else. His active listening skills and his insightful empathy are stunningly honest and a little creepy, to be honest. However, comparing that to Lloyd Vogel’s guarded and irascible demeanor, it really shows how special Mister Rogers really was. It is easy for people to hold on to old hurts and lie to themselves, not really living honestly and in-the-moment. It was very unexpected to end up being so introspective at the end of a movie, but this one really got to me. And I enjoyed the walk down memory lane, too.
Three Words That Describe This Book: Clever, Nostalgic, Unconventional
Give This a Try if You Like…Won’t You Be My Neighbor? (documentary), Officer Clemmons: A Memoir by Francois Clemmons, and A Beautiful Day in the Neighborhood: Neighborly Words of Wisdom from Mister Rogers by Fred Rogers
Rating: 5/5
#FDL is an update on all things Fondulac District Library and books.
FDL Reads: The Invisible Life of Addie LaRue by V.E. Schwab
The Invisible Life of Addie LaRue by V.E. Schwab
Reviewed by: Susie Rivera, Reference Specialist
Genre: Fantasy Romance
Suggested Age: Adults, Teens
What is This Book About?: In 1714 France, a young Adeline LaRue lives in a small town. She wishes to have a more exciting life than one destined for a typical young woman in the village. One night, in desperation, she prays to a god to live rather than be trapped in an arranged marriage. Her wish is granted; however, she is is cursed to live forever and immediately forgotten by everyone she meets. The book goes back and forth in time. We see Addie in the beginning, struggling to survive even after her own family didn’t remember her. Then it flashes back to the present where Addie has adapted to her challenges, but is still saddened that she cannot keep lasting relationships. But, one day, the status quo changes when Addie meets someone who has more in common with her than meets the eye.
My Review: I picked up this book after it had been heavily praised on social media. The beginning is slightly slow until the main plot kicks in at about halfway through the novel. I really enjoyed Schwab’s poetic writing style and the plot twists she introduces towards the end of the novel are great. I like historical fiction and this switches back and forth from that to a modern romance. It is very tragic and painful, especially the chapters that cover Addie’s time in France. Remember, she is quickly forgotten by everyone she meets. If you enjoy genre blenders, you will like this novel as it has a little romance, fantasy, and historical fiction all in one.
Three Words That Describe This Book: Tragic, Romantic, Poetic
Give This a Try if You Like… The Time Traveler’s Wife by Audrey Niffenegger, The Loneliest Girl in the Universe
by Lauren James, All the Lives We Ever Lived by Katharine Smyth
Rating: 5/5
About FDL Reads
FDL Reads is a series of weekly book reviews from Fondulac District Library.