The Balanced Mom

The Balanced Mom: Raising your kids without losing yourself by Bria Simpson

I came across this book in our Parenting Collection and thought "why not, it looks fairly short and I could always use advice on the balancing act". The book is filled with tips for busy moms on how to achieve balance between being mom, being a spouse, work, and household duties. While I found parts useful, there was a lot of repetition like make time for yourself, don't over schedule your kids, and you don't have to be perfect. There were some good strategies on how to make time, limiting children's activities (extracurricular), and including the whole family in household responsibilities (aka chores).

Each chapter begins with a quote. My favorite is "When my kids become wild and unruly, I use a nice, safe playpen. When they're finished, I climb out." -Erma Bombeck

If you are looking for ideas and tips on balancing your busy life and being the mom you have always dreamed of being, take some mom-me time and check out this book.

The Body in the Sleigh

The Body in the Sleigh by Katherine Hall Page is a Faith Fairchild mystery.

Katherine Hall Page is an Agatha award-winning author of The Body in the Gallery.

Faith and her family are spending the Christmas holiday on the Sanpere Island in Maine while her husband Tom recuperates from surgery. Faith is in high spirits enjoying the family time together which is rare at the holidays for the wife of a pastor. Christmas time is usually a busy time for the whole family in their home town of Aleford just outside of Boston. They usually are only on the island in the summer.

Tom was napping and Faith was taking the children for their first walk to see the island’s decorations. Faith walked up to the antique sleigh in front of the Sanpere Historical Society to take a picture. Beside the mannequin was the body of a teenage girl, Norah. At first it was believed she died from an overdose of drugs, then the coroner ruled it a murder. The victim was loved by many in this tight-knit community.

Meanwhile on Christmas Eve another mystery unfolds as Mary Bethany a local spinster who raises goats, and runs a bed and breakfast during the summer finds a newborn baby boy in the manger of her barn. The only clue to the child’s identity is the note in the basket asking Mary to take care of him. Faith and Mary decide they must try and find the mother. Soon they find out that there is a connection to Norah’s last days and the abandonment of the baby.

The characters are well developed and the story line moves along quickly and smoothly with wonderful descriptions of the island and its snow covered scenery.

Posted on behalf of Carol A.

Exceptional Web Sites for Children

The American Library Association’s subdivision ALSC (Association for Library Services to Children) recently released their list of the 20 newly added Exceptional Web Sites for Children. I checked out most of the sites. Some, I agree, they are exceptional. Others were nothing spectacular and some didn’t strike me as something either of my children (ages 5 and 9) would use or be interested in looking at. So, take a look (my favorite was uptoten). Do you think these sites are extraordinary? Is there something you’d recommend instead?

Little Lunkers featuring fishing for kids. Get advice on fishing with your family or play some games to get them excited about the experience.

GettyGames makes looking at art fun with games like Detail Detective and Match Madness.

SCIENCE
Next time you need information for a report on Biomes check out MBGnet.

For those kids out there who just can’t get enough about Earthquakes, the U.S. Geological Survey has put together Earthquakes for Kids to find out about Earthquakes going on today, in history, facts, the science behind them, and science fair projects. Links to other pages provide games and other extension activities.

I was wondering features 10 cool female scientists as well as a timeline. Three little games, the Astroscope is like an I Spy in space, Gorilla Quest is a fun little information trek to observe gorillas, and Make a robot won’t necessarily occupy hours of time but are quick and educational.

The University of Illinois Extension has put together The Great Plant Escape which allows children to learn about types of plants, how they grow, and their parts. To bad I hadn’t seen this website earlier this year! It would have been very helpful for my daughter for science class. Great for reinforcing school work as well as learning on your own. A lot of text is involved but solving the mysteries will appeal to any child’s curiosity.

Invention at Play is fun for all ages and gives kids an opportunity to stretch their imagination by virtually tinkering, solving puzzles, sketching, and using their imagination to reshape clouds.

RESEARCH
Do the latest google results have you scratching your head? When your child has questions or a new research topic, try starting at Encyclopedia.com for your basic information. Search over 100 sources including encyclopedias, dictionaries, and thesauruses at one time to get you started in the right direction.

GAMES
UpToTen.com is an award winning site contains over 1,000 games for children up to age 10. The home page has 3 sections to start; free, premium and at school. A premium membership is not necessary to access the content of the site. The first thing I noticed when entering the free section is the icon for Girls Games on the side (personally, I understand why sites do this, I am just bothered by the idea that something is inherently girly). An important note: the left side bar is advertisements. Coloring pages, puzzles, games, and activities are quite fun and do offer some educational value. Young children will need some assistance with the site.

STORIES, BOOKS, AND READING
Read.gov from the Library of Congress is a great source for kids, parents, and teachers to find new authors and suggested booklists on a variety of topics.

The Story Home Overall, a good site to listen to a story. But, I believe that most children will find it a bit boring. This site does not feature flashy images or text with the story, just audio. On the bright side, you can download various classic stories (for example, an excerpt from Dickens, A Christmas Carol or Thumbelina) to your computer as an mp3 file to listen to later (like on the way to Grandma’s house for Christmas dinner). The reader, Alan Scofield, is a gifted storyteller who has an expressive voice. Seasonal stories (Halloween, Thanksgiving, Christmas) appear to be a part of the features in addition to old favorites like Snow White and The Poor man and the Rich man. The site also has a nice How to section that explains how to download the stories and listen to the stories in various ways (iTunes, iPod, CDs).

Storynory is similar to The Story Home providing audio stories for download. There are a wide variety to choose from including Original stories, fairytales, and classic authors. I love that this site includes how long each story is as well as the text so that beginning readers can follow along while listening.

I haven’t figured out why CILIP Carnegie & Kate Green Away Children's Book Awards website is an extraordinary site. Yes, there are lists of award winning books and a few interviews with authors but not a whole lot to the site.

Coretta Scott King Book Award-winning Authors, Illustrators, & Books features extension activities for books that have won the Coretta Scott King Award. This site looks to be more for teachers than for students. But, it’s great for those who want more about these books.

Calling all readers!!!!

We want your opinions of all the books you are reading. Love it, hate it, indifferent... send an email message to the library (kittanninglibrary@hotmail.com) and we will add you to our list of contributors.

The Economic Naturalist's Field Guide

The Economic Naturalist's Field Guide: Common Sense Principles for Troubled Times by Robert H. Frank

"You're reading a book about economics. How boring!" How many of you thought that when you saw the title? Well, I found Mr. Frank's essays to be interesting to a point. The entire book is a collection of selected columns which the author states were originally in the New York Times (between 1999 and 2008). It is fascinating to see the relationship between cause and effect in the economy, how everyday decisions about spending and saving make a difference. Other topics include tax policy and financial investments.

"Why do Hockey Players feel they need Helmet Rules?" shows how unrestricted choices by rational individuals often yields results that no one favors by looking at hockey players. If hockey players were allowed to choose, most would not wear helmets because they could perform better and increase his team's chances of winning. But, if all of the players aren't wearing a helmet the advantage disappears. The playing field is the same either way.

Earlier I stated that I found the essays to be interesting to a point. That is because by the time I reached the second half of the book, many of the points being made were redundant. Maybe a different title and different situations but I felt like I was reading the same thing. Maybe, this is because we learn better by repetition and maybe it was so there was enough pages in the book. I would still recommend reading this book with an open mind about the subject. Frank's approach makes the subject relevant to life with current examples and a look at why we spend the way we do.

The Golden City by John Twelve Hawks

The Golden City by John Twelve Hawks

My favorite kind of story to read, (the ones that suck me right in) are almost always full of action and are set in some sort of dystopic world - a society in which conditions of life are miserable and characterized by poverty, oppression, war and/or the abridgment of human rights, resulting in widespread unhappiness, suffering and other kinds of pain. I know, I know all happiness, rainbows and sunshine but somehow those are the stories I enjoy the most. The trilogy started with The Traveler, where the reader is introduced to the idea of alternate realms that a select few (Travelers) can get to while the everyday actions of all citizens are consistently monitored by The Brethern. This group seeks to control the world. They are involved in all aspects of life including business, research, health, and government. They also seek the Travelers so they can control the course of history. The Harlequins are individuals who protect the Travelers above all else. The books are set in what is a modern world where technology enables the Brethern to follow the transactions of anyone they choose. I have been impatiently waiting book three of The Fourth Realm Trilogy for some time now and sped through the novel in a few hours. The Golden City completes the story started in The Traveler and continued in The Dark River. One of the Travelers Michael Corrigan has joined with The Brethern. He travels to the realm of the half gods and obtains information for advanced technology and a plan to create a worldwide prison where no one is free. His brother, Gabriel is also a traveler and is leading the resistance to stop his brother. The story takes us on a journey all around the world and through other realms including secret, real-life ancient rivers flowing beneath the streets of London, Los Angeles, London, Japan, and the realm of Hell. In some aspects, the world shown in this trilogy is similar to the one portrayed in Corey Doctrow's Little Brother. If your a fan of action, secrecy, discovering hidden agendas, and resistance consider this trilogy.

From The Golden City
"Privacy is the ability to control access to information about one's Self. It's easy to see that this invisible, all-pervasive system will destroy any sort of privacy. Well lose the power to protect our Self from the scrutiny of unknown groups or individuals.

And some of you may ask: 'Is there any value to privacy?'

All new ideas are dependent on some kind of mental privacy - the potential for peace and reflection. The Vast Machine provides information about us and gives the authorities a wide variety of ways to manipulate our thoughts with a subtle power. Everything we hear and see can be shaped to create certain prejudices. Free will- that is, our ability to make real choices about significant issues- becomes an illusion. Gradually, we are surrounded by targeted messages that destroy the opportunity to make our own decisions."

Song Yet Sung by James McBride

This is about slavery before the Civil War. It takes you on an adventure through the swamps of Maryland's Eastern shore. How one runaway slave, Liz, stirred up ideas of freedom in other slaves. Slaves were sometimes stolen and resold for profit. Liz and nine others were held captive in a thief's attic. One old woman tried to teach Liz the "code". The "code" was the language of the slaves on the run. It told them when it was safe to travel and which way to go, how to make a friend, and more. No one gave up the code. They would die first. Once I started reading this I couldn't put it down.

The Higher Power of Lucky

So, let's face it, we haven't been posting lately. While I have read quite a few nonfiction books over the past couple of months, none have been what I felt were interesting enough to blog about. After a recent conversation, I picked up this book and since finishing it wondered why I didn't read it sooner. It was a quick book for me but I have been saying for weeks now that I just wanted to read some good fiction. Well, I got what I was hoping for and I highly recommend this book for anyone who is looking for a good story.

In Dead Pan, (population 43), the members of the smokers' anonymous, drinkers' anonymous, and gamblers' anonymous all seem to have found their higher power. Ten year old Lucky listens through a hole in the wall at every meeting that takes place at Hard Pan's Found Object Wind Chime Museum and Visitor Center in the hopes of discovering how to find her Higher Power. Most of the stories involve hitting "rock bottom" and then discovering this elusive higher power. Lucky hopes that finding her higher power will help her figure out a way to keep Brigitte, her guardian from wanting to go back to France. Lucky is afraid that since her father doesn't want her and her mother died in an accident that she will be sent to live in an orphanage in LA.

Author Susan Patron has brought to life this sandy colored little girl whose curiosity about science (in particular bugs) and occasional mean streak in a way that children and adults can relate too. Winner of the 2007 Newbery Medal, The Higher Power of Lucky is a poignant story with a happy ending.

Little Heathens

Little Heathens: Hard times and high spirits on an Iowa farm during the Great Depression by Mildred Armstrong Kalish

Little Heathens is the term used by the author's grandmother to show her disapproval of the behavior of the children in this book. In a time where hard work and respect for elders was paramount, Kalish grew up on a farm during the Great Depression. While the time frame is significant to history, the author's childhood brings back fond memories of preparing meals, farm work, pets, and making due with what is available. I found this quick read to be a gentle reminder of how technology, money, and the speed of life now can take us further from living simply and enjoying what is around us. This is a "those were the days" kind of book in the sense that the reader is taken to a time where families were self sufficient and children respected their elders. On the other hand, Kalish shows the hard work involved in just making sure there was enough food on the table. If you're looking for some old fashioned recipes and cures, she has also included this information as well like the recipe for pheasants (disjoint four ring-neck pheasants...) and how to start a neverfail fire. A nice book for nostalgia as well as a peek into a world that today's children will never see.

Heir Apparent

For Giannine's 14th birthday, her father gets her a gift certificate for Rasmussem Gaming Center Virtual Reality Arcade. She's happy with the gift that she told her dad's secretary that she wanted. She'd be happier if her dad would have called and asked what she wanted but he didn't so she's off to enjoy her virtual half hour. Giannine decides to try out the new game Heir Apparent where there are way too many ways to get killed. Unless she can get the magic ring, find the stolen treasure, answer the dwarf's dumb riddles, impress the head-chopping statue, charm the army of ghosts, fend off the barbarians, and defeat the man-eating dragon, she'll never win. The problem is that the equipment has been damaged and if she doesn't win, she will die -- for real this time. Anybody who has repeatedly lost a video game will be able to relate to the Giannine's frustration with trying to make the right moves. Is the game fun any more when your life is at stake? Can she make the right decisions to become the king of the virtual world?

The Tipping Point

The Tipping Point: How little things can make a big difference by Malcolm Gladwell

Gladwell provides an entertaining looks at what causes things to become an epidemic. He looks at not just clothing trends but also crime, disease, rumors, and smoking. There's also a discussion of what made Sesame Street popular and what the children's show Blue's Clues did differently to make it even more appealing. Read the chapter about Connectors, Mavens, and Salesmen to find out what type of person you are and where you fit into the spread of a trend.

See Wikisummaries for Chapter by Chapter summary:
http://www.wikisummaries.org/The_Tipping_Point

Little Brother

Little Brother by Cory Doctorow
Once I picked up this book, I had it finished within a few days. Doctorow pulls together technology, surveillance, terrorism, and the connection between security and freedom in this fast paced, action packed story. This contemporary novel features 17 year old Marcus, a.k.a. "w1n5ton," who figures he knows how the system works and how to work the system. He has no problem working around his high school's surveillance systems and computer filters. When terrorists attack San Francisco, Marcus and his friends find themselves in the wrong place at the wrong time and are arrested by the Department of Homeland Security. They are taken to a secret prison where they are interrogated for days. When finally released, Marcus finds that the city has become a police state where every citizen is treated like a potential terrorist.

This is definitely one of my favorite books for 2008.