Treasure Hunters

Everyone is a treasure hunter at heart and searching the shelves at the library can lead to an unending supply of treasured reading choices.  Since the 39 Clues have been on our series spotlight it's been hard to find one on the shelf. With titles like The Viper's Nest and The Sword Thief kids are quick to grab up any of the titles when the cover directs you to "Read the books. Play the game. Win the prizes."

But treasure seekers will also want to check out Attica, by Garry Kilworth.  Aimed at grades 5-9, this adventure follows the step-siblings Alex, Chloe, and Jordy as they move into a new house and find that the attic holds more than dusty remnants of the past owners.  Entering the attic they're transported to a world that is as magical as it is dangerous.  Bizarre landscapes and Dali-type characters interact with them along their journey.  This book will have you checking your own attic for strange activity.

The Door of No Return by Sarah Mussi first attracted me because of the main character Zac has ties to Ghana.  When his grandfather tells him tales of his link to African royalty and a secret treasure Zac just assumes it's a fairy tale. 

When his grandfather is murdered Zac has no choice but to set off on a journey to find the gold and search out the reason behind his grandfather's death.  I'm hoping for more books featuring this character.

Leepike Ridge by N.D. WIlson tells the story of 11 year old Matt.  While he's lived on Leepike Ridge all his life he never would have believed he would be caught underneath it.  Worried about his home life, what kid wouldn't be if mom was dating the math teacher, Matt sets out on a late night walk and ends up being washed down a river and into a series of underground caves.  But he's not alone.  No, his troubles only get worse as his only companions are a dead man and an injured dog. 

Matt's mom presumes he's dead but a group of villianous treasure hunters are in pursuit. What could be under Leepike Ridge that would draw all this attention?

Some times just searching the shelves results in unexpected treasure.  Visit the library today and see what treasures you can find.

Tune in to Great CDs

Music accompanies many of our daily activities from listening to the radio while driving around town to owning our own personal music players that we load with our own play lists.  Music can sooth, envigorate, and entertain.  At the library we have quite a collection of children's CDs available for check out.  Some of these Cds may not appear on the top ten list at your favorite store but fill a niche and may be just the thing you're looking for.

Many CDs offer activies designed to get you moving.  Bean Bag Fun offers two playback options, one with vocals and one that includes just the instrumental selections for you to continue the activity on your own.  Songs like "Bean Bag Carousel" help with hand to eye coordination while songs like "Musical Bean Bags" emphasizes the concepts of "fast" and "slow".

Other CDs the encourage physical activity include Folk Dance Fun and even Salsa, Soul & Swing.  Silly Willy Workout and Chicken Fat are classics that include actions designed for all fitness and ability levels. 

Disney song collections like Radio Disney Jams are popular with tweens and feature pop artists performing favorite songs that are perfect for parties or just for fun.  Artists include current stars like Britney Spears and the Backstreet Boys as well as classic groups like Queen and Stevie Wonder that make for easier listening for the parents.

Look for classic children's storybook themes in musical format.  Cds that feature favorite characters like Elmo or Dora the Explorer have fun music to keep younger listeners entertained.  Classics like Madeline's Favorite Songs feature Ludwig Bemelmans' young French orphan, Madeline, and other characters from  the the old house in Paris that was covered in vines.

Soundtracks from Broadway musicals are popular or how about those sound bites for your next Halloween party?  Some people find the clips useful for editing their own video or adding to web site designs.  Rattling chains, lapping waves, or the sound of a jet at take off can all be found on one of the Sound CDs.

Stop by and check out some of the unique CDs offered at the Amherst Public Library.

Food for thought; thought for Ferran

No you won’t see any books here by nepotistic southern belles and their sons, even though they may be popular with local audiences. And I also don’t agree with local editors who try and remind me that a restaurant is an object and should not be referred to in print with words like “they” and “their”.

Food aficionados will appreciate Food for Thought; Thought for Food, the dense offering by Ferran Adria, edited for English audiences by Vicent Todoli. This book transcends all editorial guidelines, becoming a mesmerizing union of food and art plated up in a colorful bundle wrapped in white but filled with fun surprises. Where else can you hold the menu from Documenta 12 featuring the symbolic menu offered to just 100 people as part of El Bulli’s inclusion in the European art festival?

Even the drawing of Ferran on the cover shows his status as a culinary icon. I mean if The Simpsons creator Matt Groening is providing your cover art then you know you’ve made it big, not that the title “Best restaurant in the WORLD” for three years and three Michelin stars isn’t something to tuck in your apron pocket.

Knowing Ferran’s reputation of epic artistry and attention to detail, I was surprised to open up the book and find two editing mistakes on the first two pages I scanned. Two for two, I was a little afraid to read further. Check out page 65 for a misprinted photo location and page 60 for a misspelling of table setting.

Whatever, I own the book and don’t really care what mistakes the editor made, the door that opens to the world of El Bulli inside the cover was reason enough to purchase.
Food for Thought is available on Amazon for $29.67.

For those looking for something a little closer to home they might want to try Kitchen confidential : adventures in the culinary underbelly byAnthony Bourdain. Sure he was a bit of a cop out, selling t-shirts in the parking lot at CIA and offering tattoos, but early on I loved his writing and I’d also recommend Bourdain’s work of fiction Bone in the Throat for a fun romp through the culinary underworld.