For The Love of Animals...

Animals are of great importance to us, especially here in the South. We use them for food, to help us hunt, to assist those with disabilities, and, most importantly, to provide company and comfort when we need them. Animals are seen as part of the family. This is why I am highlighting some of our new non-fiction titles that center around animals of all kinds--cats and dogs, domestic and wild.

The Doggie in the Window by Rory Kress tells the story of how journalist Kress found a twelve-week-old wheaten terrier in a pet shop and didn't think twice about bringing her home and naming her Izzy. After all, the facility was USDA-licensed so Izzy couldn't possibly be a puppy mill dog, right? When Kress began her journey of becoming a mother, she began to wonder about Izzy's mom and so begins an eye-opening journey through the world of dog livestock auctions, puppy mills, and internet sales sites to uncover the truth about the so-called "pure bred" puppies. My only problem with this book is that there are no photos to illustrate the authors important discoveries and show the consumer what it is really like in the world of factory-farmed puppies.

If you decide you want a pure-bred puppy, choose a reputable breeder who raises the pups in their own home. In order to choose the dog right for you and your family, check-out The Good, the Bad, and the Furry by Sam Stall. Like the title suggests, the author gives it to you straight in this book of dog breeds. Under each breed, you will find the standard for height, weight, coat, and intelligence as well as where and with what kind of person this dog thrives. You will also find out about the origin of the breed, the trademark traits, any hassles in training or behavior, and any medical problems that plague the particular breed. You are also given a kind of cross reference for similar breeds you may want to check into. My favorite section under each breed, however, is entitled "If someone broke into my house, this dog would..." These are the most hilarious and sometimes painfully honest observations of these dogs. For instance, we learn that the dalmatian is a wonderful watchdog, he/she will "Wake the dead with its furious barking, then open up a can of four-alarm whoopass" on anyone who breaks into your house.

The Pug Who Bit Napoleon: Animal Tales of the 18th & 19th Centuries is a small tome by Mimi Matthews. Divided into sections according to type of animal--dog, cat, horse, etc.--this book tells little snippets about various famous figures and the animals that played an important role in their lives. You can learn about the titular pug who gave the Emperor of France a nip, Alexander Pope's devoted Great Dane, and even about the Bloodhounds hired to hunt Jack the Ripper. If nothing else, this book is totally worth checking out just for the stunningly beautiful color portraits of the animals.

Dr. Carin Bondar shows us that the trials, tribulations, and victories of motherhood are not exclusive to homo sapiens in her book Wild Moms: Motherhood in the Animal Kingdom. Breaking motherhood into its various stages, Bondar discusses the diversity of development, cooperative and communal child rearing, brood parasitism, pregnancy, birth, weaning, and all the problems that come with these stages and how various species handle them. One of her chapters also highlights that other animal species suffer from depression and abuse just as humans do. This book is a good look at mothering across many species and it is informative and easy for the lay person to understand.

Next week is Banned Book Week - Celebrate Your Right to Read!

Book banning isn't a thing of the past - every day, books are being challenged and some are being removed from shelves.

In 2017 alone, 416 books were challenged or banned in the United States. The reasons are as different as the books and include :

• Disapproval of the title of the book irregardless of the contents (ie: the classic horse story, Black Beauty)

• Ethnic stereotypes (ie: Huckleberry Finn, Gone with the Wind)

• Disagreements with the book's theme (ie: And Tango Makes Three)

• Offensive language (ie: To Kill a Mockingbird)

• Violence (ie: The Hunger Games)

• Use of magic (ie:  the Harry Potter series, the Strega Nona series)

• Too scary (ie: the Goosebumps series, the Fear Street series)

• Use of slang or bad grammar by the characters (ie: the Junie B. Jones series)

• Sexuality of the characters (ie: Are You There, God, It's Me, Margaret)

As you can see, many of the reasons are very subjective.  We support parents making choices for what their own children read, but leaving books available for others to choose.  Celebrate your right to read - ;pick up a banned book and give it a try.

Cookbooks

Good Food--Fast!: Deliciously Healthy Gluten-Free Meals for People on the Go by Jason Roberts an internationally known celebrity chef, cookbook author, and cast member of the hit daytime talk show “The Chew” on ABC. (From Lyonspress.com) Food is fuel for the body and mind. Chef Roberts knows that if you plan better, you eat better, and he shares the healthy cooking techniques that preserve the inherent nutrients that are present in foods that come directly from nature. Eating well doesn’t have to be boring, tasteless, or time-consuming. With a little imagination, creativity, and advance planning, your life can truly open up to the world of gloriously rewarding foods. Good Food--Fast! includes 100 tasty and accessible recipes, such as Rosemary and Sweet Potato Frittata, for anyone who wants to eat healthfully without sacrificing flavor.

Next, we have Ani's Raw Food Essentials: Recipes and Techniques for Mastering the Art of Live Food. (from Alibris.com) Chef Ani Phyo is back with Ani's Raw Food Essentials, full of everything you need to know to master the art of live food. Phyo shows you how to whip up simple, fresh recipes using what you've already got in your kitchen while also offering tips on dehyrating and more sophisticated techniques. Looking for innovative meals that are healthy and delicious? Phyo offers everything from classic comfort foods like nachos and burgers to Reuben sandwiches and bacon, along with more gourmet dishes like risotto, angel hair pasta, and her "you-won't-believe-they're-raw" desserts. Ani's Raw Food Essentials once again proves that you don't have to sacrifice taste to reap the benefits of raw foods, all while living a greener lifestyle. Recipes include: Broccoli and Cheeze Quiche, Kalamata Olive Crostini, Cashew "Tofu" in Miso Broth, Grilled Cheeze and Tomato Sandwiches, Cheeze Enchilada with Ranchero and Mole Sauce, Pad Thai, Pesto Pizza, and many more.

Korean BBQ is a casual and practical guide to grilling with Korean-American flavors from chef Bill Kim of Chicago's award-winning bellyQ restaurants, with 80 recipes tailored for home cooks with suitable substitutions for hard-to-find ingredients. Kim teaches the fundamentals of the Korean grill through flavor profiles that can be tweaked according to the griller's preference, then gives an array of knockout recipes. Starting with seven master sauces (and three spice rubs), you’ll soon be able to whip up a whole array of recipes, including Hoisin and Yuzu Edamame, Kimchi Potato Salad, Kori-Can Pork Chops, Seoul to Buffalo Shrimp, BBQ Spiced Chicken Thighs, and Honey Soy Flank Steak. From snacks and drinks to desserts and sides, Korean BBQ has everything you need to for a fun and delicious time around the grill. (from Amazon.com)

The Flavor Matrix by James Briscione is a revolutionary new guide to pairing ingredients, based on a famous chef's groundbreaking research into the chemical basis of flavor. A groundbreaking ingredient-pairing guide, The Flavor Matrix shows how science can unlock unheard-of possibilities for combining foods into astonishingly inventive dishes. Briscione distills chemical analyses of different ingredients into easy-to-use infographics, and presents mind-blowing recipes that he's created with them. The result of intensive research and incredible creativity in the kitchen, The Flavor Matrix is a must-have for home cooks and professional chefs alike: the only flavor-pairing manual anyone will ever need. (from Amazon.com)

Designed for One! By Nancy S. Hughes is a cookbook full of Diabetes-friendly recipes. This book is for ONE. It does not contain recipes that can feed an army of 4 to 6 which can leave you with a week's worth of unwanted (and expensive) leftovers, it feeds ONE! This book contains 120 budget-friendly recipes for the dinner hour, including salads, vegetables, grains, entrees and even desserts. As with all Nancy's books with the American Diabetes Association, the recipes are extremely easy to follow with main stream ingredients. The book begins with a 'How To' chapter which helps the reader learn how to shop economically, store properly, stock up 'smartly' and cut corners like a pro in an easy, bullet-form manner. The chapters focus on dinner, but break down into sections, such as salads, sides, entrees (including a wide variety of recipes from grilled and roasted recipes to soups and stews, skillet dishes, stir-fries, hot and cold sandwiches and main salads) and desserts. (from Amazon.com)

September is National Literacy Month!

It's National Literacy Month!  Come in and see the new resources we have available in our new Parents Resource Center to help you help your child learn and thrive

.  Books, puzzles, games, and more - we have a lot to offer.