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The Youth Media Award Winners for 2021, Including Caldecott and Newbery Awards Striving for excellence in storytelling and communication is nothing new in children’s books. Thousands of new books are published each year, and many are heartwarming, thought-provoking, funny, or life-changing. Of those, a few are chosen as representative of what is truly remarkable in writing for children and young people. This year’s selections celebrating the best in youth literature showcase a variety of writing and illustrating styles, genre and tones. One thing they all share: they hold a kernel of something that makes them stand apart in the world of children’s and teens’ literature. Each award represents the work of a team of librarians who read every book that might qualify for the award over the period of one year. This enormous investment of time and effort results in some noteworthy finds for readers and librarians alike. The following are a few of the honorees; the full list is available at the ALA website . Caldecott Award : Outstanding Illustrations Honor Book: A Place Inside of Me: A Poem to Heal the Heart , illus. by Noa Denmon and written by Zetta Elliot. While it can be difficult to talk with children about feelings, this short and easy read manages to do just that. Capturing the wide range of emotions from fear and anger to joy and love, this poem is an ode to the value of Black lives and all lives. Ages 3-6. Honor book: Outside In , illustrated by Cindy Derby and written by Deborah Underwood. When we have to be inside, it’s easy to feel disconnected from the wonder of nature that awaits outdoors. Outside is still there, and it can touch our lives whether we can leave our homes or not. Ages 3-6. Winner: We Are Water Protectors , illustrated by Michaela Goade, written by C. Lindstrom. Ages 3-6. Reviewed last month. Newbery Award: Excellence in Writing for Youth: Honor book: All Thirteen: the incredible rescue of the Thai boys’ soccer team , by Christina Soontornvat. Twelve young soccer players and their coach head into a cave for an afternoon of adventure. Little do they know how difficult it will be to leave the cave again, and how many people will work together to save them. A true story. Also a Sibert Honor winner for excellence in nonfiction and a finalist for the YALSA Award in Nonfiction for Young Adults. Grades 5-12. Honor book: Box: Henry Brown Mails Himself to Freedom . By Carole B. Weatherford, illus. by Michele Wood. How would you feel if the only way to gain freedom was to be nailed into a box and mailed far away? Based on a true story. Winner: When You Trap a Tiger , by Tae Keller. Is there a tiger on the road in front of the family car? Or is it a vision? Lily wonders what it means to see a tiger that seems so real. Are the tigers angry? Can her grandmother, Halmoni, help her understand? A moving and magical story of family, friendship, and how we find ways to help one another. Also the winner of the Asian/Pacific American Award for Children’s Literature. Grades 4-8. Pura Belpré Award: Best Representation of the Latino/Latina Experience For illustrations: iVamos! Let’s Go Eat! by Raul Gonzalez (aka, Raul III). This adorable bilingual picture book features Little Lobo the wolf choosing lots of yummy foods in his Mexican-US border town. Part of the “Little Lobo” series. Ages 3-6. For text: Efrén Divided , by Ernesto Cisneros. A thought-provoking middle grade read about living with the knowledge that your parents are undocumented immigrants, and the fear of deportation. Although the coverage of difficult subjects may be hard for younger students to process, this title approaches topics of poverty, loss, and the love of family with grace and perseverance. Grades 5-9. Coretta Scott King Award: Best Representation of the African American Experience R-E-S-P-E-C-T. Aretha Franklin, the queen of soul , illus. by Frank Morrison, written by Carole Boston Weatherford. The glorious cover of this picture book biography says it all: you gotta respect the Queen of Soul. Ages 3-6. Before the Ever After , by Jacqueline Woodson. What will young ZJ do as he finds his football hero dad forgetting more and more due to game-related injuries? This story in verse is a quick read but finds its mark in relating to loss. Grades 4-8. Printz Award: Outstanding Teen Literature Honor Book: Dragon Hoops: From small steps to great leaps , by Gene Luen Yang. This creative graphic novel intertwines stories from a winning basketball team, a writer, and the lives of the team’s players. Grades 6-12. Winner: Everything Sad is Untrue , by Daniel Nayeri. Grades 9-12. What do Khosrou’s stories really mean? Tales of fleeing secret police in Iran, life in a depressing refugee camp in Italy, even stories of his home near the river Aras seem foreign … unbelievable … impossible to his middle school classmates. Is he making everything up? Or could these stories actually be true? Also of Note: Stamped: Racism, Antiracism and You , by J. Reynolds and I.X. Kendi. Audiobook read by Jason Reynolds. - Odyssey Award for Audio. Essential listening (or reading) for those wanting to consider the ideas of racism and antiracism. Grades 5-12. Dancing at the Pity Party: a dead mom graphic memoir , by Tyler Feder. - Sidney Taylor Award for a young adult title representing the Jewish experience. Tyler presents her honest, gripping experience as a college student who lost her mother to cancer. Grades 6-12. Ty’s Travels: Zip, Zoom , by Kelly Lyons, illus. by Nina Mata. Honor recipient in Theodore Seuss Geisel Award for most distinguished beginning reader book. Ty tries to learn the fine art of riding a scooter, which turns out to be more challenging that he expected. Grades 1-2. It’s important to note that these are only a few of the many awards, honorees and winners on the American Library Association website . Need help choosing where to start? Ask your librarian for a recommendation!

Did you know February is Library Lover's Month? It's unclear when Library Lover's Month first began, but it is clear that people have loved libraries for centuries. The concept of public libraries - with free and open access - is still relatively new, but according to History.com, the oldest known library was established "sometime in the 7th century BC." This library is referred to as The Library of Ashurbanipal. So clearly, libraries have been around for a while. But what's so great about them? If you're an avid library user (and, hey, even if you're not!), you might have an elaborate answer to this question because there are just so many amazing things that libraries - of all types - have to offer. But don't take my word for it - ask a neighbor, a family member, or your favorite neighborhood librarian what they think about libraries. You may be surprised by what libraries in this day and age are offering. I could go on and on about how amazing libraries are, but I think it would be much more interesting to find out what my co-workers think about libraries. I asked the library staff to share what they love about libraries, as well as what they most enjoy about working in the library. This week's post is a compilation of those responses. Read on to find out what they said. Laure What do you love about libraries? What I love about libraries is that we have so many different things to offer people. It's not just about the books (of course those are important too) but there are endless resources and items that can be really helpful to people. Our databases, computers, and researching abilities are just a few of those. What do you enjoy most about working in a library? What I enjoy most about working in the library is how we are able to help people in the community. I feel that what I do in my job really makes a difference in people's lives and that is important to me. Lea What do you love about libraries? When I first started working at the library I thought it was just a cool place to find some books. But as the years go by and all walks of life come into our little library, I have found that this is a place to truly see and feel life. What do you enjoy most about working in a library? We all have difficult and joyous times in our lives. In those difficult times, I feel that we are here to help and try to comfort as best we can. In the joyous times, we can celebrate along with our patrons. From helping someone get on their feet from being incarcerated to celebrating with a long time patron in her fight and triumph over cancer. The fact that I can have a small part in someone's life is the best part of this library. Marina What do you love about libraries? I have always been an avid reader, but before working in a public library, all my library experience was in the school library. I loved that there were so many books to choose from, and I could read them for free! Now, I love how entrenched libraries - especially public libraries - are in their communities. Modern-day public libraries are community hubs, as well as great wells of information. What do you enjoy most about working in a library? I love the variety of people I get to meet and know while I'm working. People from all walks of life come through the library doors, and there is always something new to learn from them. Perhaps my favorite part of working in the library, though, is helping people find the resources they need to make their lives better. Megan V. What do you love about libraries? As a whole, I love libraries because they were always an escape for me. A way to drown out the noise of everyday life when it became too much to bear. They helped me deal with and understand an unfair world. What do you enjoy most about working in a library? Working in a library offers me the chance to give people that same small oasis in a sea of despair when they need it the most. Megan W. What do you love about libraries? I like the work that libraries do to help the community. What do you enjoy most about working in a library? I started because I like books and now I want to make it a career because I love the work that is done at libraries. It's so much fun seeing the joy on someone's face when we are able to help them with something they have been struggling with or when someone who has been using our computers to job hunt tells us they finally found a job. Michael What do you love about libraries? I love that libraries are a free public space that welcomes anyone. I love that libraries attract people from vastly different backgrounds, socioeconomic, racial, and cultural. Libraries socialize and democratize commodities and expect nothing in return. They empower their communities through information access and literacy. What do you enjoy most about working in a library? I enjoy working in a library because of these reasons. It feels good knowing that people can come and get access to things they wouldn't be able to if they had to pay. When so much of our economy's labor is focused on generating revenue, it's great to work in a place that's focused on providing excellent service to its community because it is part of that community. Sharon What do you love about libraries? I first loved libraries because of ... books! I love books. But now, in addition to all the lovely books, I love the library because it is a gathering place -- a place where anyone and everyone is welcome. What do you enjoy most about working in a library? Working at Caldwell Public Library is a joy. I get to organize, I get to discover all kinds of new (and old!) books to read. But most of all, I get to be a part of providing space, security, information, encouragement, and delight for all kinds of people. My life is far richer because of this place. Did you learn something new about libraries? We hope so! What do you love about libraries? Share your love in the comments below!

What an absurdist, short lived, sketch television series from the mid 2000’s taught me about reframing perspective and mindfulness. The Andy Milonakis Show ran for three seasons on MTV2 from 2005 to 2007 and was then promptly forgotten. The show is typical of sketch comedies from the time and network. Prank calls, ridiculous short sketches, and man on the street style interviews are the focus of the show’s 22 minute runtime. Stupid, juvenile, and occasionally brilliant, the show is quality brain rotting material. However, a segment from the second season really caught me off guard with its rather unusual wholesomeness and got me thinking about mental health and well-being. Mindfulness has become a buzzword in mental health conversations over the years but its origins can be found in Buddhist teachings and traditions. As Janssen defines it in The Book of Self-Care: “Mindfulness is the non-judgmental awareness, or ‘witnessing,’ of the moment and our place in it, also referred to as paying attention on purpose” (71). Within the context of Cognitive based therapy or CBT, it takes a reflective approach to addressing subconscious tendencies. In short, mindfulness is a sort of meta-cognitive process. It’s about being present in the moment, aware and in control of your thoughts, and accepting or acknowledging your feelings. But what connection does this practice have to The Andy Milonakis Show? Man on the street interviews are a type of sketch comedy that can often come off as mean spirited, exploitative, or annoying. The premise is simple: Andy approaches strangers on the street, begins a conversation with them in a sort of interview format, does or says something outrageous, and plays up the laughs from their responses. But during this particular segment the punchline plays out differently. Once the person being interviewed has concluded their thought or presented an answer to one of Andy’s questions he responds with “that’s what I love about you” and references part of their conversation. The frame is still humorous and Andy’s “guests” still have their reactions recorded for laughs but their demeanor towards him quickly softens. An elderly woman can’t help but smile as Andy patiently listens to her outline the events of her day only to respond with, “that’s what I love about you, you’re always getting your nails done”. Other interactions follow a similar pattern as the people he approaches are initially guarded but open more and more with Andy’s positive affirmation. Reframing is a therapeutic technique used to alter “perceptions of a negative, distorted, or self-defeating belief” in order to change behavior or improve well being (Robinson and Troutman-Jordan 58). You could distill the idea into the old adage, look on the bright side. When mindful, you can reframe negative perceptions by looking for positive aspects or by acknowledging pessimistic outlooks and feelings in an objective non-judgmental way. That’s exactly what Andy’s ridiculous little ‘prank’ inspired me to consider. If I’m present in the moment and attentive to others I’m exercising mindfulness. While engaging with others I can choose positivity and gratitude. The mind can be trained like a muscle to be more receptive to ‘good vibes’. In a media environment that is constantly fixing our attention on bad things happening in the world it can become difficult to look for positive changes and experiences. Our perspective is skewed and trained to focus on things that affect our mental health negatively. However, if we take time to appreciate and live in the moment, seek out good qualities in others, and express our appreciation of them freely we can promote healthy attitudes and outlooks. It’s become a joke amongst my friends. Any casual conversation could be punctuated with the observation, “that’s what I love about you…” fill in the blank. Sometimes in jest, but always with respect. It’s endearing, thoughtful, and an act of love. It shows appreciation for others, demands that we pay attention to what they’re saying, and helps us engage with them. It’s a simple exercise that trains us to look for positive aspects in others. Below you’ll find some of the many wonderful resources the library has to offer on the subject. There’s no shortage of material dealing with mindfulness, CBT, MCBH, meditation, and other mental health subjects. That’s what I love you about you: you like to read the library’s blog. Works Cited: James P. Robson, Jr., and Meredith Troutman-Jordan. “A Concept Analysis of Cognitive Reframing” The Journal of Theory Construction & Testing, Vol. 18, No. 2 pp. 55-59

Human Nature There are some behaviors that we as a society naturally fall in to when we are together. Lately, due to the ongoing pandemic and the way that we have become more reliant on technology, most of the time we are "together" these days is online. This social spot is a great place to hang out with like-minded friends. In fact, it is a great place to hang out with ONLY our like-minded friends. While we all have similarities and differences, it is our nature to want to be around those who are similar to our beliefs. When we surround ourselves with people that only agree with what we believe in, we limit our perspectives and world views, and create dangerous social bubbles. These bubbles distort our ability to view the world, and can make it hard for communities to get along in order to conduct business and live in functional and healthy ways. Sometimes, even within groups we belong to and feel safe in, we can encounter viewpoints that are outside of our realm of comfort. This is where group-think can become a function of a community, and can allow extreme behavior to escalate. The stress of making decisions and of wanting to support the groups we are in, or the groups that we believe in, make it harder for us to speak out when we believe an action goes against our values. According to Psychology Today, when group-think is at play, "in the interest of making a decision that furthers their group cause, members may also ignore ethical or moral consequences." Common Pitfalls What is the difference between conformity and group-think? While conformity is related to group mentality and consensus, it comprises of those who shift their mentality in order to fit in with a group. Sometimes people do this consciously, and other times they do it subconsciously. Group-think, however, talks about the process of making a group decision, often when under stress. There are many examples of how stressful situations require individuals to make quick decisions, and many professions and social structures hire people and trust people to make these decisions quickly and with the best intentions possible under the restrictions the situations present. Jeff McGill - a veteran of law enforcement, who served for over two decades - talks about the layers of group mentality that police culture is accustomed to. From internal hiring and moving up ranks, to trying to apply policy to the streets, McGill logically and rationally discusses the need for law enforcement leaders to encourage opportunities to rethink policy and make changes regularly when things no longer fit social needs. He states in the article, Cut the Groupthink: Why Police Leaders Need to Play Devil's Advocate, "Dissension is often viewed as a direct challenge to the authority rather than a method to improve the agency’s capability." When decisions cannot be challenged (especially when the policy is not working in practice) serious mistakes can happen. While some mistakes are bound to happen in all professions, not all professions have the potential for fatal errors. McGill also states, "preventing group-think should be a priority for law enforcement leaders who are looking to expand their agency’s toolbox and work toward innovative responses to crime and quality of life concerns within their jurisdiction." A Plan of Action Social behavior is a very interesting and useful topic to explore. There are so many facets to how people behave and build in order to accomplish incredible things, or to create catastrophic events. There are numerous examples throughout history, and even in controversial social experiments, that we can study and learn from. It can be challenging to advocate for what we believe in and what we would like our communities and our society to reflect, value, and invest in. Self-education is a great tool to help with the process of decision making, contributing, and assessing information and policy. We all have a voice and hand in shaping our community. To learn more about this social phenomenon, check out some of the books in our collection.

It's another round of great books recommended by your favorite library staff! It's a great time of year to snuggle up on the couch with a mug of hot cocoa, a blanket (or furry pet!), and a book. I love settling down in the living room with my 70-pound lap dog and reading for hours on end. It's the perfect day! If you're unsure of what to read, try a book off this list! If you can't find the book on our shelves, you can order it from another local library, or through our interlibrary loan system. You can also call or email us for book recommendations at any time. So what are you waiting for? Book: The Unhoneymooners by Christina Lauren Recommended by: Laure The main characters Olive and Ethan basically hate each other until they are on a "fake" honeymoon together. Olives twin sister Amy is getting married and everyone gets really sick from the seafood buffet at the wedding reception. They don't want the honeymoon to go to waste so Olive and the groom's brother Ethan decide to go together. They have some crazy things that happen during the honeymoon, and they finally understand the reason behind why they do not like each other, it was all a big misunderstanding. Super cute romantic comedy book! Book: Across the Universe by Beth Revis Recommended by: Marina I just finished the YA series "Across the Universe" by Beth Revis. I had read the first book six years ago and always meant to finish the series, but didn't get around to it until this year. The first book, Across the Universe, takes place on a generation ship en route to a new planet. The ship's population is ruled by the Eldest system - one leader for each generation - and reproduction is highly controlled to stabilize the population and separate the generation groups. Elder is in training to be the leader of the next generation, but things are complicated when one of the people frozen on the cryo-level (people who are supposed to stay frozen until they reach the new planet) is woken up from her cryo-sleep aboard the ship. To complicate matters, this person, Amy, is the only other person on the ship close to Elder's age - they are both teens, and, because of genetic controls, she looks nothing like anyone else aboard the ship. Labeled a freak by most, but beloved by Elder, Amy challenges what Elder thought he knew, and together they must face and overcome obstacles on their journey to their new home. Book: At Knit's End: Meditations for Women Who Knit Too Much by Stephanie Pearl-McPhee Recommended by: Sharon I recently finished "At Knit's End: Meditations for Women Who Knit Too Much" by Stephanie Pearl-McPhee. It contains 300+ musings specifically designed for those of us who love yarn and all the things we can create with it. From the perils of long-tail cast-on to the joys of a never-ending yarn stash, Ms. Pearl-McPhee accurately portrays the delightful, obsessive, creative, productive soul of a knitter. More than once I found myself giggling out loud: "Yes! Yes! That's me!" If you can resonate with these words, then this book is for you: "The world is full of knitters who are driven to collect yarn by an inner voice that tells them there will never be enough. They have more yarn than they could ever use in a lifetime, even if they quit their jobs and knit full-time until they died. The world is full of non-knitters who think this is odd." Book: Ready Player One by Ernest Cline Recommended by: Monique I re-read Ready Player One by Ernest Cline and although some of the 80s references are always just a bit out of my reach, I really enjoyed it this second time around. I loved it the first time as well, but this time it just seemed to be more in tune with the way the world has been shifting. I am an avid video gamer and spend a lot of time with online communities and we do tend to dissolve in our own little universes that we create. I often find that this space that we share is very uniting. I have also the unique opportunity to connect with people around the world in real-time and problem-solve together, and it helps me to see outside of our own domestic problems and explore other areas and understand more the things that we all value. Getting back into this book reminded me of the ways that simple shared interests, such as a love of video games, movies, books, and music, can motivate us to accomplish larger goals in life as well. Especially if those goals align with our hopes, dreams, and values. Book: On Earth We’re Briefly Gorgeous by Ocean Vuong Recommended by: Haley I was introduced to Ocean Vuong during my very first college poetry class in 2015 – I was an English major focusing on poetry and creative nonfiction - and I fell in love with his work. When I heard that he was publishing a piece of fiction the year I graduated, I couldn't wait to get my hands on it. I’ve now read it three times. “On Earth We’re Briefly Gorgeous,” is a novel, but poetry shines through every sentence. A semi-autobiographical exploration of familial and romantic relationships, the novel is structured as a letter the speaker, Little Dog, writes to his mother, who cannot read. It is in many ways a classic coming of age story where Little Dog fights to find himself through place, class, sexuality, and language. Little Dog tenderly recounts listening to his grandmother’s stories from when she was young, pregnant, and fleeing the Vietnam War. He remembers watching as a young child how hard his mother worked to provide for her mother and son and how it took a toll on her body and mind. He replays the memories from when he fell in love for the first time and the tense conversation he has with his mother years later when he tells her he is gay. Just like in his poetry, Vuong writes with piercing imagery and unabashed honesty. If you are hesitant to jump into poetry, I highly recommend starting with this novel. It will help you familiarize yourself with the imagery and musicality often found in poems within the comfortable format of a novel. Stay tuned for the next installment of Staff Recommendations!

Learn some tips and tricks to Splatter Art! Kits are available starting Thursday, December 3, 2020. Kit Includes: 1 Paintbrush, 1 Canvas, 1 toothbrush, 2 cups of paint Even if you aren't able to grab a kit, you can try splatter art at home with your own paint, any paper (including cardboard!), and a brush. I priced out the items on Walmart.com and the cost is less than $10.00 (including multiple colors of paint). Don't forget to show off any splatter art creations by sharing them on our Facebook page. Try some of these techniques for cool splatter art designs. Toothbrush A great tool that can be used for more than brushing teeth! Use an old toothbrush for the bristles - you can make tiny spots of paint by flicking the bristles toward your canvas, or create a zig-zag design by scrubbing the canvas. A toothbrush with some white paint makes fantastic looking tiny stars on a dark sky. Paintbrush Paintbrushes are great for all types of art. You can paint thick lines, make shapes, or in the case of splatter art, you can fling paint at the canvas! Make sure you are wearing something to protect your clothes, and try this technique outside or in a well-covered area. You can also try dripping paint by hanging a brush full of paint over your canvas as small drops fall off the brush. Finger Paint You can even use your hands to create amazing art. Use your fingers to drag paint over the canvas, flick on splotches, or create texture in the paint. Make sure you are using washable and skin safe paint like acrylics. We've included acrylic paint in the kits, but you can use whatever paint type you'd like!

Hi everyone, Ellie and Michael here back at it with a new kit for all of you ages 12-18. For the holiday season, we thought we would give you all the things you need (minus a heat source) to make a cool snap paracord bracelet. Paracord is parachute cord and is rated for how much weight it can handle. After doing some research about the best type to use for these bracelets, the cord we've included in the kits is 550. If you weren't able to get one of the kits from the library, each kit contains two colors of paracord rope and a snap buckle from Amazon. Please note: you will need a heat source (lighter, candle, etc.) to melt part of the cord together at the beginning and at the end. Please ASK for assistance from an adult if you need help - safety is our first priority. This process is a little complicated, so I've linked the video on Youtube by ParacordKnots that I used for directions, but you might check out this video by Kevin Brauer as well with more vocal instructions. It is important to check your progress each step of the way and make sure the direction your cords are pointing in relation to the buckle is correct. Don't be afraid to go slow! At the end, you'll have a cool creation. Thank you for joining us in crafting, we will see you next month with String Art kits! Have a wonderful holiday, Ellie and Michael

Audio recording and engineering is as much an art as the music it seeks to capture. I’ve been recording my own music for years with varying degrees of success. There are tracks I’m proud of and many more that I’m glad never got released. But every time I press that record button I’m learning something new and improving my skills. If you’re looking to record for the first time it may seem like a daunting task. Thankfully, your local library has quite a few resources to help guide you on your way. Check out the book list at the end of this post for a good jumping-off point. High-quality recording and sound production are easier and more accessible than ever before. Home computers have enabled the amateur to achieve results indistinguishable from paid commercial studios, provided that the person behind the board knows what they’re doing. The hardware and software may appear to many beginners as overly complex, convoluted, or hopelessly elaborate. However, with the proper resources, anyone can start recording or arranging their own musical ideas. Why record yourself? Cost, convenience, and time are major factors to consider. Investing in equipment may seem extravagant initially but quickly pays for itself when compared to the cost of studio time. Furthermore, you’re not bound to a schedule. When you have the means to complete your project on your own you can afford to do as many takes, edits, or mix adjustments as you see fit. Additionally, this creates space for collaboration because parts from other performers can be recorded at any time, even remotely! Beyond the obvious advantages of cost and convenience, there are further reasons to pursue home recording. The ability to record parts, elements, or ideas for songs without needing to complete the arrangement means you can piece together projects and engage with your ideas over time. In this way, recording is treated as part of the creative process where segments can be stored and arranged in a dynamic manner, rather than as a means of capturing a final product or performance. Sometimes good enough will do. Before diving into the deep end of audio recording and engineering, it’s important to know your goals. If you're primarily looking to keep track of your ideas or to make simple demos of songs, your equipment needs and knowledge base are going to look a lot different than someone wanting a full studio environment. Many artists use their personal recording equipment to outline and demonstrate their ideas before doing final recordings in a professional studio. You don’t need a top of the line microphone or a 16 channel interface for a rough draft. Finally, before we get to the reading list I’d like to note that these resources will deal primarily with digital recording into a PC. Obviously, this is not the only means of capturing sound, but because of its flexibility, power, and cost it has become the dominant method and industry standard. These resources will outline the necessary hardware as well as many of the most popular Digital Audio Workstations, or DAWs that can run on your PC. I would encourage beginners to become familiar with this method prior to exploring older analog systems. The Mixing Engineer’s Handbook Comprehensive but not too technical. Provides a strong introduction to many of the key concepts behind both recording and mixing. A well-balanced guide. Idiot’s Guides to Mixing Music Covers audio mixing from beginning to end with helpful sections on DAWs, digital interfaces, monitors, and headphones. Does not cover the actual recording process in depth. The Music Producer’s Handbook Less focus on the technical aspects but filled with good background information and practical explanations of the songwriting and recording process. A great book for those that want an overview of professional production. Comes with a DVD! Home Recording for Musicians for Dummies The most concise and straightforward book on this list. Gives a good overview of both recording and mixing but doesn’t exhaust any area in particular. If you want a quick and dirty guide to get started this is a good selection. The Recording, Mixing, and Mastering Reference Handbook An excellent reference source for most skill levels. I wouldn’t recommend this as an instruction book for absolute beginners but as a supplement to other resources. ~~~ Did you find this introduction to home recording useful and did any of the listed reading help you get started? Please leave me a comment about your experience, questions you may have, or suggestions for related topics. Future posts on this subject will address more specific aspects of the process.

Have you had an experience with a child (or perhaps, like me, you have a curious cat) who insists on enjoying the box something came in even more than the item itself? Boxes have a somewhat magical flexibility built into them. Yes, they can be brown containers taped closed and filled with Styrofoam peanuts. But with some imagination, maybe a few decorations, and some time they can become so much more. What to do with lots of little boxes? We all have them. Boxes that things came in: pudding mix, tissues, cereal, noodles, straws, even shoes. They aren’t all that big. So they should just go into the recycle bin, right? Before you go that route, consider a couple of options. While Recycle is big on that list of ‘3 R’s,’ so is Reuse! What if those empty boxes were used again? They could be blocks! These don’t even need to be covered, just secured shut. Or maybe you could create a “Rhyme Cube:” cover a square box with colorful paper and make a list of short words that would be easy to rhyme. Choose six and find pictures of each, then glue or tape the pictures on each side of the box. Voila! Have you tried making a shoebox guitar? Stretch several sturdy rubber bands across the open side of the box and make some noise. Small boxes can even stock the shelves of a pretend kitchen or grocery store. Operation: Inspiration! Boxes can be the perfect starting place for an art project. There’s no need to purchase expensive materials when you have the makings of a masterpiece at your fingertips. What if your box became an ocean scene? Dioramas are excellent teaching tools. Maybe it would be fun to roll paint-covered marbles around inside to create a crazy decoration scheme. Does anyone enjoy splatter painting? The inside of a box contains the mess just enough. Perhaps with a little decoration, your box could even become a treasure chest for young folks to explore. You have to love a BIG box. Big boxes can become so many fantastic things. Whether it’s a car or a kitchen, a robot costume, or a cozy hideaway, kids love to play with big boxes. Climb inside and it might be a plane or a boat. Put your dolls or stuffed animals inside and maybe it’s their home. A box could be a workbench, an ice cream shop, or a pirate ship. It’s all up to you! Why purchase a game when you can make one? Boxes can be the perfect starting place for making many kinds of games . A very simple one is like basketball: can you toss the (nerf ball, crumpled paper, beanbag) into the open box? Or, make it a little more difficult. If you cut several holes into the side of the box, see whether your athletes can throw, roll, putt, or kick a soft object inside. Can you imagine how to create a foosball game? How about a ring toss? Boxes are a fabulous beginning to a day of exploration, imagination, and family fun. Give it a try!

The mission of the Caldwell Public Library is to "provide services and information to connect, enrich, and inspire our community." Library staff strive to provide the best possible experience for our users - both in-person and online. We understand the importance of building trust with our users and helping them find the resources they need. Over the next several months, we will highlight each of our staff members and the work they do to provide excellent library services to you - our users. Lea Martinez - Technical Services Supervisor Hello, I am Lea Martinez. I am the Technical Services Supervisor and Volunteer Coordinator at the Caldwell Public Library. I have been working at the library for over 12 years and have been so happy to see this community and library change and improve with each year. I have lived in Caldwell most of my life and attended the College of Idaho, where I received my bachelor’s degree. I love my job and feel that I am privileged to work with amazing people who provide services to our wonderful community. My job entails many facets such as receiving, invoicing, cataloging, and getting materials ready for checkout. I am also the Volunteer Coordinator and have worked with many wonderful youth and adults in our community that want to help and make a difference in our library. We are always looking for volunteers to help with all sorts of duties at the library so if you would like to get involved and make a difference in the library and the community please give me a call. My husband and I have 2 wonderful kids and enjoy camping, traveling, swimming, and most of all reading!

Fractured fairy tales take classic stories and give them a twist! What if Cinderella went to the ball, but as an assassin? How would the story change had the sea witch Ursula prevailed over King Triton and Ariel? This reading list introduces several young adult titles twisting your favorite bedtime stories. The Wrath and the Dawn by Renée Ahdieh (Series #1) A retelling of the classic, "1001 Arabian Nights." A monstrous boy-king takes a new bride each night and kills them the next morning. When he kills the greatest friend Shahrzad has ever had, she vows revenge by pledging to be his next wife. Can Shahrzad get revenge before time is up? Cinder by Marissa Meyer (Series #1) A twist on the classic Cinderella story with cyborgs, lunar people, and deep secrets. Cinder is a cyborg mechanic living under her insufferable stepmother's rule. But when she crosses paths with Prince Kai her life changes in unexpected ways. A Blade So Black by L.L. McKinney (Series #1) Alice in Wonderland moves to an urban fantasy world with monsters, Madness, and a gateway to Wonderland. Alice lives in real world Atlanta, but battles monsters in her dreams - the world of Wonderland. She can navigate both worlds expertly until her mentor is poisoned, and Alice is forced to delve deep into the dark world of Wonderland to save him. Once Upon a Dream by Liz Braswell (Series #2) What if Sleeping Beauty never woke up? Instead Prince Charming falls asleep too! Both Princess Aurora and Prince Phillip are caught in a dream world where they must outmaneuver Maleficent and her agents in order to escape. But the clock is ticking... A Court of Thorns and Roses by Sarah J. Maas (Series #1) When Feyre is on a routine hunt during the cold winter months, she kills a faerie to get to her prey. As punishment she taken to a magical kingdom where she must navigate the faerie courts in this re-imagining of Beauty and the Beast. Want more book recommendations? Send an e-mail to infolibrary@cityofcaldwell.org and tell us what we should write about next!

The mission of the Caldwell Public Library is to "provide services and information to connect, enrich, and inspire our community." Library staff strive to provide the best possible experience for our users - both in-person and online. We understand the importance of building trust with our users and helping them find the resources they need. Over the next several months, we will highlight each of our staff members and the work they do to provide excellent library services to you - our users. Hi! I am Laure Hershman, and I am the Circulation Supervisor at the Caldwell Library. I have been working at the library for almost a year and half. I recently received my bachelor’s degree in Multi-Disciplinary Studies from BSU with a minor in leadership studies. I really enjoy working with the public and getting to talk with patrons as they are checking out. You may not always see me up front, but I am always happy to help assist with any problems you might have with your library account. Please do not hesitate to ask for me if you have a question. The library provides a lot of opportunities for staff to go out into the community and showcase the services we provide. I love being able to network with the people and businesses of our community to tell them about all the cool stuff we have going on at the library. In my free time, I enjoy traveling with my husband and 4 children. I also serve on the board of directors for WICAP where I can put my time to good use in helping come up with ways to improve our communities with the services we offer, the partnerships we have, and the new ones we are making Of course, like my coworkers, I love to read. I enjoy listening to audiobooks in my car on my commute to and from work. Historical fiction with a little bit of mystery and romance tied in is the genre I prefer. Jane Austen is my favorite author, and Pride and Prejudice is my favorite book. If you are ever looking for a good historical fiction novel to read, I am your person to talk to. I look forward to seeing you at the library.