Storms of the Greek Gods

Today is a dark and stormy day! I am reminded that the Greek gods and goddesses are a source of infinite wisdom. With this in mind, I would like to recommend the book Greece, Rome, Monsters by John Harris. In this great book, twenty mythical monsters are featured along with a supporting cast of gods, goddesses, heroes, and heroines. The book begins with a  warning telling you that you are about to embark into the land of creepy creatures. There is the Basilisk and if you see him run for your life! Keep away from the Cyclops, he’s a very big and very mean guy. You’ll not want to look at Medusa because there’s that terrible option of turning to stone. The book does offer a few nice creatures such as, Pegasus the beautiful white horse with wings, and the fiery Phoenix who is reborn out of the ashes over and over again. Calef Brown’s artwork is fun and playful with shades of sour-apple green, turquoise blue, and terracotta orange.

Of course this brings on a surge of memories for me of The Lightning Thief by Rick Riordan featuring the notorious yet amazing Percy Jackson. Our hero is a teenage boy who is quirky, clever, and determined always ends up having nasty creatures chase after him. Percy soon finds out that his life as he knew it is not really the truth of who he really is. He has been cloistered away from the world of gods and goddesses in which he knows nothing about. There just might be a surprise relative that Percy never even knew about, but I'm not going to give that away. As Percy learns how to deal with his newly found origin story, he decides to go on a quest to find out who stole  Zeus' lightning rod. This book is excellent and full of great surprises. You'll want to read this one and the entire Percy Jackson series to catch up on your Greek Mythology!

Until next time, Happy Reading!

Mrs. Librarian Lady

Welcome to National Library Week !

Let's celebrate! 
It's National Library week all week 4/19-4/25, 2020. #Nationallibraryweek #Librariesstrong  

Every year in April, we get to celebrate a whole week in honor of libraries and give shout outs to all of the valuable librarians and library workers.  They play an amazing role in transforming people's lives and they have the superpower of strengthening our communities.   

This year's theme is very relatable "Find your place at the library," fits very well with what is happening right now, with our country all staying at home. The pandemic is affecting all of us across the nation, which has forced most libraries to shut their doors to the public.  The amazing thing is that librarians and library staff, they don't give up that easily.  Our motto through all of this pandemic has been "We are here for you" and we know that the library is your place and a safe haven for many. Libraries have taken to going online and virtual. We know that providing virtual services and digital content is what everyone needs more than ever right now. If you go to ccclib.org you can get an eCard and then you will have access to eBooks, movies, music, and a plethora of educational databases.  We are now also offering Online Storytimes and we will keep on creating more engaging activities because we love our communities. We want you to stay safe inside and access the library from the comfort of your home.

We'll be doing our celebration online and through social media.  This year you will see lots of posts on social media and we invite you to join in with us.  Check out our Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/concordcalibrary for our National Library Week Celebration and please like our page.  We are also on Instagram @Concordcalibrary and you can follow us there. Comment on our posts, we'd love to hear from you!




Until next time,
Mrs. Librarian Lady

Do You Want to Make a Garden?

I just noticed that every one that is staying home is working on their yards and making really nice gardens.  I decided I wanted to start my own garden and was somehow able to get some seeds and planters from my local home improvement store.  I planted carrots, tomatoes, zucchini, peppers, and some herbs.  The one thing that I totally forgot about after I planted everything is that I need some garden markers to identify each one!  Garden markers are great because they help you to know which plants are which, but they are also very decorative and add a nice touch to your garden. I am always craft minded so I thought why not make my own.  When I looked up DIY garden markers I saw that there were so many that I could choose from and I couldn't just pick one. Many of these projects use recycled materials, so this is also a benefit over buying markers.  I did decide on the painted clothespin markers, so I will have to post them after I receive my clothespin from Amazon. LOL. Here's a list of some of the cutest and coolest DIY garden markers that I could find.

I went wild over these adorable repurposed Spoon Garden Markers from the Magic Onions blog. This is such a fun and creative way to reuse metal spoons.  It also looks really easy to do!  I want to try this one just because it has so much whimsy and would make any garden look so sweet.

So hey I'm on a roll here with spoons and found this craft Plastic Spoon Garden Markers by the Sewing School blog.  I like this one a lot because I have a box of plastic spoons in my kitchen right now and a basket full of paint pens just waiting for me to get started.  I also like this because you can make it as colorful as you want. If you try this one for your garden let me know how it goes, I'd love to see a photo too.

These Brick Herb Markers are so cool! I found this tutorial on the Simple Details blog and all I can say is that it looks super rustic, but also elegant in a way.  I think the elegance comes from the fancy writing and this project looks so easy to do.  If you have any bricks laying around in your yard you can try it right now.  If you have some bricks, all you will need to make these awesome garden markers is a pencil and a permanent marker!

Wow! This has to be the most awesomest thing I have ever seen!  If you want to try these Aluminum Duct Tape Garden Markers you need to find yourself some of that aluminum duct tape they sell at the hardware store.  This stuff is pretty neat, it's made from real strips of aluminum. Aunt Peaches gives all of the details and instructions on their blog.  I think I could use this duct tape for all kinds of things around my house and around the library!

For some reason, these Clothespin Garden Markers were my favorite DIY design.  I think I like the simplicity of the clothespin and they look easy enough to make. I also like that you can change out your markers if you want to make more and you can also reuse them if you need to replant somewhere else, they seem very portable.  I think this cute idea by Chatfield Court doesn't cost that much either and that was what I was really looking for right now.

If you are working on a garden right now or you want to get some gardening tips before you start, first go to ccclib.org and get an Ecard. Then click on this link to go to my booklist called Do You Want To Make A Garden? and you'll be on your way to the garden of your dreams.

See you soon!
Mrs. Librarian Lady

Funfabulous Crafts To Do While You Are At Home

Are you looking for some fun and easy crafts to do at home?  I've got a bunch of ideas just for you!  The great thing is that most of the materials you need to make these crafts are already at your house.  If you're like me, you will want to make all of these awesome crafts right meow!

Jumpin Jellyfish!  This Glow-in-the-dark Jellyfish Craft by Craftiments is just so colorful and makes me so happy.  I love all the colors and I especially love the colorful yarn or Jellyfish tentacles because you can't get stung by these.  Well, let's get started on this funfabulous craft so we can hang them up and let them glow in the dark.

Sparkly and divine these DIY Mason Jar Fairy Lights really are the most beautiful sight I have seen lately!  They are so cool and I think I am on a glow in the dark trend right now.  I am sure that we really need to make these, they are going to help us pass the time and well let's face it, they are super dreamy and we need that kind of relaxation right now for sure.

I am totally in love with this Edible Finger Paint Whipped Cream Glitter!  Not only does it look delicious, but you can eat if you want to.  I like this video because it tells us how to make all kinds of colors and of course, there is glitter everywhere!  I think we can all try this one at home.  It does look really yummy and should prove to be very messy, which we all might like!

Whenever I see the word mini in a craft I get so excited! So, when I saw this How to Make Mini Volcanoes tutorial on the S&S blog I couldn't wait to check it out.  You can't go wrong with this craft, it has it all craftiness, science, chemistry, and an explosion of fun.  If you like the chemical reaction you get from the baking soda and the vinegar, you can do this activity over and over again.  This might be something you can work on while at home and possibly even get school credit for, it's that cool!

Here's another mini-project for you, or should I say a mighty mini-project???  I love this Mini Lid Banjo craft by The Craft Train. This fun craft will be entertaining for the whole family and you can play these babies all day long if you want to because they really work!  I'm going to make these and then I will be strumming some fancy banjo songs to amuse myself and the fam and I'll be dreaming of my time up on the big stage.  I hope you try these out!



I hope you enjoy these crafts as much as I do and that you have a chance to try them out at home.  If you make them please share photos on my blog, I would love that!

See you again soon when it's time to get crafty!

Mrs. Librarian Lady

March is Devoted to the Strange & Unexplained...

Hello everyone!  For some reason I missed February and now find myself right in the middle of March and contemplating what to do now that I am experiencing my first ever home station until at least April 6th or longer who knows.  The first thing I thought of today was a YA book list that focuses on the Strange & Unexplained.  I have read plenty of those and have created a list just for your enjoyment.  Also, just a little push for libraries, check out your library's digital collection if you can't get any physical copies, you can get your reading fix with an eBook! Contra Costa County Library ccclib.org is offering eCards so you should try it out!

Welcome to the Strange & Unexplained YA Style


Name of the Star by Maureen Johnson

Monument 14 by Emmy Laybourne

I Was Here by Gayle Forman

Shutter by Courtney Alameda

The Forest of Hands and Teeth

A Certain Slant of Light 

by Laura Whitcomb

Sleepless by Cyn Balog

17 & Gone by Nova Ren Suma

Blind by Rachel De Woskin

Ten by Gretchen McNeil

Highly Illogical Behavior by John Corey Whaley

I hope you can take some time to read some of these books, they are well worth the read!

Until next time,
Mrs. Librarian Lady

January is Walk Your Dog Month!

January is Walk Your Dog Month and what better way to kick start your New Years Resolutions by reading some great YA books that feature dogs?  If you are like me, you love dogs and want to spend more time with them because they just get you.  This awareness month is a great way to help dust off the January blues, read a few good books, maybe go out and adopt a new dog, or if you already have one start taking him/her out for more walks.  It's a fun way to get out of the house and your dog will love you for it!

Here is a list of YA books that will have you begging for more!

Last Chance by Norah McClintock

In this charming YA novel by Norah McClintock, the main character Robyn is scared of dogs—like, really scared. But she agrees to spend her summer working at an animal shelter anyway. (It's a long story.) Robyn soon discovers that many juvenile offenders also volunteer at the shelter—including Nick D'Angelo, a boy from Robyn's past. A boy she hoped to never see again. Nick has a talent for getting into trouble, but after his latest arrest, Robyn suspects that he just might be innocent. And she sets out to prove it...

The Way to Game the Walk of Shame by Jenn P. Nguyen

A 2017 Quick Pick for Reluctant Young Adult Readers, this witty and entertaining contemporary debut deftly combines high school drama with pitch-perfect flirty banter.

Taylor Simmons is not in a good place. Everyone called her the Ice Queen because she always put her studies first. After she got drunk at a party and woke up next to bad boy surfer Evan McKinley, the entire school seemed intent on tearing Taylor down with mockery and gossip. Taylor's faithful sidekick and loyal pup Oreo is there to help her decide if Evan is a good guy or not.  

The Unexpected Everything by Morgan Matson

Sweet with fur flying fun!  Andie must learn to embrace the beauty in chaos in this New York Times bestselling novel about friendship, finding yourself, and all the joys in life that happen while you’re busy making other plans.

Andie has a plan. And she always sticks to her plan. The only thing is that she never planned to become a dog walker.  In this adorable coming of age story, you'll see how Andie changes her points of view and how a half a dozen or so doggos can make a world of difference in the direction you are going in life.  

Suitors and Sabotage by Cindy Anstey

Two young people must hide their true feelings for each other while figuring out who means them harm in this cheeky Regency romance from the author of Love, Lies and Spies and Duels & Deception.

Shy aspiring artist Imogene Chively has just had a successful Season in London, complete with a suitor of her father's approval. Imogene is ambivalent about the young gentleman until he comes to visit her at the Chively estate with his younger brother in tow. This is where things get interesting.  Here we meet Jasper, Imogene's water dog and he may hold the secret to love, well you'll just have to read to find out what happens to this daring young couple.

Marley & Me by John Grogan

Of course, we can't forget Marley, he is one of the most loveable and sweet puppers out there and this book is based on the true story of his life.  Through the telling of this story, we get to see how it is possible for humans to discover the key to happiness through a bigger-than-life, trouble-making, silly but sweet!

John and Jenny were just beginning their life together. They were young and in love. Then they brought home Marley, a wiggly yellow furball of a puppy. And from that moment on, seriously, life would never be the same.

To All the Boys I've Loved Before by Jenny Han

Let's face it, Lara Jean's little sister's dog Jamie Fox-Pickle has one of the best fictional pet names ever! He's a Wheaton Terrier and his name fits him perfectly, he's sassy but also very sweet.  This book is great because it has love, romance, mystery, and playfulness that will pull on your heartstrings. 

Sixteen-year-old Lara Jean keeps her love letters in a hatbox her mother gave her. One for every boy she’s ever loved—five in all. When she writes, she pours out her heart and soul and says all the things she would never say in real life. Until the day her sister mails her secret letters, and suddenly, Lara Jean’s love life goes out of control.

Rotten by Michael Northrup

A troubled teen. A rescued Rottweiler. An unlikely friendship. Jimmer "JD" Dobbs is back in town after spending the summer "upstate." No one believes his story about visiting his aunt, and it's pretty clear that he has something to hide. It's also pretty clear that his mom made a new friend while he was away---a rescued Rottweiler that JD immediately renames Johnny Rotten (yes, after that guy in the Sex Pistols). Both tough but damaged, JD and Johnny slowly learn to trust each other, but their newfound bond is threatened and JD must come to terms with his secrets and face the truth, which is the very thing that he is scared of. This book is a must-read!

Whipoorwill by Joseph Monninger

Sixteen-year-old Clair Taylor has neighbors who are what locals call whippoorwills, the kind of people who fill their yards with rusty junk. Clair tries to ignore her surroundings, choosing instead to dream of a future beyond her rural New Hampshire town. But, when a black dog named Wally is chained up to a pole next door, Clair can’t look the other way. Clair decides to save Wally, and the immediate connection she has with the lovable dog catches her off-guard, but even more surprising is her bond with eighteen-year-old Danny Stewart, the boy next door.

Love Knots & Triangles

If you read a lot of YA fiction like I do, you'll start to notice that there are a lot of love triangles in YA lit.  It's a toss-up for many readers, they either live for love triangles or they detest them.  I can't remember when I started reading YA, I think it was in the early 2000's and I remember picking up Twilight, the then-new vampire novel by newcomer herself Stephanie Meyer.  I think pretty much everyone is familiar with the love triangle that happens in Twilight.  The Edward, Bella, Jacob combo was one that I became totally hooked on for several years I had to keep reading each novel in the series until it was done.  In the last book Breaking Dawn, I couldn't wait to find out which guy Bella picks.  I always had my favorite, yes I'm not gonna say who it is. Bella kept stringing us along for all four books and needless to say, I was not a happy camper in the end. Funny enough, many readers love this stuff, where I found myself pretty not too happy with the outcome, but of course I just keep reading and reading and making myself endure love triangles over and over again.  Sometimes I feel like the triangles even expand and turn into what I like to call a Love Knot.  There's so much going with these teen stories that we fall into the trap of reliving our own teen years just to compare.  So, why do we keep doing this to ourselves? Ultimately, it's about making choices and love triangles really show how hard it is to make the right choice.  

I am happy to share that love triangles in YA lit have been getting better and better over the years since Twilight. If you keep reading them I promise your opinion about love might improve overall.  Also, it is good to remember that sometimes love triangles have two really great guys, but one is always just a little sweeter.

Here is a Fun List of YA fiction that Features Love Triangles:

Recycling, Upcycling, and Downcycling

If you’re looking to do a craft program with recycled materials, you may be surprised by just how many items you can reuse creatively. Even a simple plastic bottle can be reused to create something really cool!

We can come up with some super creative ideas for crafts and let's remember that if we recycle materials, it is way better for our environment! There are so many different recycling projects out there where we can use lots of everyday items. Here's a list of many items that can be used and reused for craft programs:

• Glass bottles
• Plastic bottles
• Paper rolls (from kitchen towel and toilet paper)
• Clothes
• Books
• Plastic Pots
• Corks
• Dryer sheets
• Coffee grounds
• Egg cartons
• Shoe boxes
• Old and damaged tiles
• Bottle caps
• Mailing tubes
• CDs and DVDs
• Light bulbs
• Carpet
• Fabric scraps
• Glass
• Office Supplies
• Metal
• Clay scraps

I'm sure there are more items out there that can be recycled, but this list gives us a good idea of just how many different items can be recycled for crafting purposes.

Check out this awesome Youtube video that shows us a whole bunch of ways to reuse and recycle plastic.

34 LOVELY HACKS TO REUSE PLASTIC

Upcycling

Upcycling is a fun way of recycling things that you might not be using and then turning it into something practical that you will use or give to someone else to use. 

Upcycling can be done for all sorts of items on the recycling list. There are so many different upcycling projects out there on craft blogs and on Youtube channels, with creative people upcycling all kinds of different recycled items from cookie sheets and file folder labels.

Upcycling is an awesome way to create fun and decorative items, or items that just work in a practical way, such as a plastic bottle to help water a plant can be extremely useful for anyone. Either way, this helps our environment because rather than throwing the bottle in the trash it is being used over and over again.

The DIY Network has 35 Upcycled Crafts + Easy DIYs that can help you get lot of ideas on your next upcycling project!  Let me know if you try any of these, I'd love to hear all about it!

Downcycling

Downcycling is just as useful as recycling or upcycling and gives sort of the opposite approach since it involves breaking down items into smaller parts and creating something different.  This is usually helpful and gives the creator a lot more pieces to work with, which then gives more value than the item as a whole would have been worth and it's all being reused so that is a great thing.

If you are looking at how to make creative things from materials that you have at home take a look at some of the craft blogs and crafty channels on Youtube about downcycling.  Some ideas focus on using old clothes for art projects or old sweaters for pet clothing or bedding or how to turn old CDs into backyard windchimes.

Here's a great Youtube video that explains very well what Downcycling is all about.  Check it out!

See you next time with some ideas for crafts using fabric scraps that you might just have lying around your house or work.  I have lots of fun ideas for you!

Mrs. Librarian Lady