Happy Holidays!

We wish you and your family a very happy holiday season!  The library will be closed December 22-25 and December 29-January 1.  We will also close at 5:00 pm on Wednesday, Decembr 26 and Thursday, December 27.  We look forward to seeing you in 2013!

     Are you feeling like the Grinch has stolen your Christmas spirit?  The hustle and bustle of the holidays has turned into a real grind?  I have the cure for you!  I read the most charming book entitled Being Santa Claus by Sal Lizard.  Sal is a professional Santa Claus and in this book he reveals what he learned about the true meaning of Christmas.

     Sal was in his twenties when his beard and hair turned completely white and his figure began to resemble that bowlful of jelly we all know and love.  Today, he appears everywhere from malls and parades to schools and hospitals, and from his custom-made red velvet suits to the mistletoe hanging from the rearview mirror of his signature Santamobile, Sal is Santa Claus three hundred and sixty-five days a year.

     In his book, he takes us on a one-of-a-kind journey from embracing his calling and the humorous missteps along the way to earning his stripes and becoming a wise and seasoned veteran Santa.  He shares stories that are heartwarming, occasionally heartbreaking, and sometimes downright hilarious, and he reflects on the valuable lessons he’s learned from both children and adults.

Holiday Homemade

I enjoy browsing the library's wide assortment of holiday books, especially those that involve creating "handmade gifts" for family and friends.  I have found one of the best ornament creation books in our library's Juvenile collection!  The book is titled, More Christmas Ornaments Kids Can Make by Kathy Ross (J 745.599 R824m), and is full of 29 beautiful ornaments that primary-grade children can make with just a little assistance from adults. The projects range from very simple (a plastic lid covered in glue and sprinkled with sequins and glitter) to more complex, and the book's projects will satisfy a variety of skill levels.  The best part is that the materials in the book will be easy to find at any basic craft store.  I believe one of the best experiences in life is sitting down with a child and joining in the spirit of creativity with them!  The library has many other equally wonderful ornament creation books in its juvenile collection, and we invite you to travel down to the first floor and find a book that interests you. 

Rabid for Dogs...

Are you the owner of one or more pampered pooches?  Do you believe in Halloween costumes, doggie daycare or other luxury items for your favorite canine companion?  If so, then Pamela Redmond Satran's, Rabid:  Are You Crazy About Your Dog or Just Crazy is the perfect book for you! This book is a humorous look at the United States' dog-centered society, and will help the reader laugh at his/her own behavior and the insane antics of all sorts of dog people.  The book covers 11 chapters of strange and bizarre things that people do to and with their dogs--from beauty and fashion to dogs in movies, celebrity dog IQ and what to do with your dog when he/she passes away.  My favorite part of the book is (I'm not kidding) doggie weddings!!! The pictures are cute and the book is very entertaining, but it also gives the reader a view of the often "over-the-top" emotional insanity of dog lovers.  Pamela Satran is the author of the New York Times bestselling humor book How Not to Act Old and coauthor of eight baby name books including the bestselling Beyond Jennifer & Jason.  Satran is also a columnist for Glamour and contributes frequently to the "Daily Beast," the "New York Times" and "More."  Discover more inrormation about Pamela Satran by visiting her website and pamelaredmondsatron.com.