With Simple Tools, Bigfoot Creates World

Belying his reputation for isolation and simplicity, Bigfoot held a press conference yesterday to display his latest creation. Using only opposable thumbs, toothpicks, and mini-marshmallows, our hirsute cousin explained his new-found building skills. "It all because of Caney," he eloquently replied when asked how he learned of structural integrity. Reporters quickly ascertained the reference to be to Steven Caney, author of Steven Caney's Ultimate Building Book, which can be found at the CHMS Library. However, by the end of the press conference, only the toothpicks remained, and our host was looking more like the Pillsbury Doughboy. "Next time, me use gumdrops," he was heard to mumble.

Happy Birthday to Supernova 1987A!!

This greatest of events was first observed from Earth 20 years ago in 1987. Considering that it occurred approximately 160,000 light years away(therefore about 160,000 years ago), it's probably safe to say that the star is no longer there. A supernova is an explosion of a star much larger than our sun. When Supernova 1987A was noticed on Earth, it was so bright that people living south of Mexico City could see it in the night sky without a telescope. How, you might ask, can you find out more about such incredible stuff? Check out Karen Taschek's new book, Death Stars, Weird Galaxies, and a Quasar-Spangled Universe (522 TAS). If you want to stick closer to home, take a look at Loree Griffin Burns' Tracking Trash: Flotsam, Jetsam, and the Science of Ocean Motion (551.46 BUR). It tells the story of how oceanographers like Curt Ebbesmeyer follow sneakers, rubber duckies, LEGOs, and even computer monitors that have fallen off cargo ships to discover more about ocean currents. If you want a more concrete example of how science affects our lives, Peter Lourie's new book, Arctic Thaw: The People of the Whale in a Changing Climate (305.897 LOU), is a look at the impact of global warming on the lives of Inupiak Eskimos in northern Alaska. Finally, be sure to put it all together with Art Sussman's Dr. Art's Guide to Science (500 SUS).

How to Sharpen a Pencil

Rube Goldberg Machine Contest

Looking for something to while away the hours during the long wait until the last Harry Potter book? Look no further!! The 20th National Rube Goldberg Machine Contest is happening in West Lafayette, Indiana, on March 31. As you can see from the above picture, Rube Goldberg delighted in coming up with very complex ways to perform very simple tasks. For those of you not familiar with his fabulous inventions, come to the library and have a gander at the book Rube Goldberg: Inventions, by Maynard Wolfe.

This year's challenge: Take a whole orange, juice it, and pour the juice from a pitcher into a cup in 20 steps or MORE. Remember, the deadline is March 31, so get juiced!

THE NEW DCF LIST IS HERE!!! THE NEW DCF LIST IS HERE!!!

More exciting than the new phone books, more stimulating than an Xbox, it's a bird, it's a plane, it's.... the 2007-2008 Dorothy Canfield Fisher Children's Book Award Master List!

Here's how the award process works: kids in Vermont between grades 4 and 8 have a year (from March 2007 to March 2008) to read as many of the titles below as they can. At the end of that time, readers will vote with their school or public librarians for their favorite book out of the list. The author whose book receives the most votes from the kids' votes will be invited to Vermont to receive the DCF Award in May or June of 2008. It's a great chance for kids to have a big say in the literary world. Without further ado, here's the list:

2007-2008 DOROTHY CANFIELD FISHER

BOOK AWARD MASTER LIST

Abbott, Tony. FIREGIRL
Anderson, M.T. THE CLUE OF THE LINOLEUM LEDERHOSEN
Auch, MJ. ONE–HANDED CATCH
Dowell, Frances O'Roark. PHINEAS L. MACGUIRE ERUPTS
Ellis, Sarah. ODD MAN OUT
Fleischman, Sid. ESCAPE! THE STORY OF THE GREAT HOUDINI
Fleischman, Sid. THE WHITE ELEPHANT
Fletcher, Susan. ALPHABET OF DREAMS
Freedman, Russell. THE ADVENTURES OF MARCO POLO
Hatkoff, Craig and Isabella. OWEN & MZEE
Hobbs, Will. CROSSING THE WIRE
Kadohata, Cynthia. WEEDFLOWER
Key, Watt. ALABAMA MOON
Kurlansky, Mark. THE STORY OF SALT
Larson, Kirby. HATTIE BIG SKY
Lawrence, Iain. GEMINI SUMMER
Leavitt, Martine. KETURAH & LORD DEATH
Lisle, Janet Taylor. BLACK DUCK
Lord, Cynthia. RULES
Lowry, Lois. GOSSAMER
Nuzum, K.A. A SMALL WHITE SCAR
Paterson, Katherine. BREAD & ROSES, TOO
Patron, Susan THE HIGHER POWER OF LUCKY
Pearsall, Shelley. ALL OF THE ABOVE
Schlitz, Laura Amy. A DROWNED MAIDEN’S HAIR
Shinn, Sharon. THE DREAM MAKER’S MAGIC
Springer, Nancy. THE CASE OF THE MISSING MARQUESS
Tolan, Stephanie S. LISTEN!
Turner, Megan Whelan. THE KING OF ATTOLIA
Winthrop, Elizabeth. COUNTING ON GRACE

Signs of Spring Reading

Well, it's been 5 weeks since the groundhog saw his shadow, and I see few signs of spring. However, summer is in full swing with the 4th installment from Ann Brashares--Forever in Blue: The Fourth Summer of the Sisterhood. Also in time for spring training is Robert Lipsyte's Heroes of Baseball, an homage to some of the greatest players to grace a diamond.

If you're looking for something meatier, be sure to check out Megan Whelan Turner's The King of Attolia. It's the third in a series. The first two, The Thief and The Queen of Attolia, introduced us to Eugenides, the Palace Thief of Eddis. By the third volume, he has become King of the neighboring land of Attolia, but he is loathed by "his" Guard and subjects. How he works to win the allegiance of both is riveting. Turner creates a world that is unique and universal, and very compelling.