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Always Be a Unicorn

A unique unicorn of children's music
A review of Always Be a Unicorn by Helen Austin

 If the Ditty Bops ever start looking for a third band member, Helen Austin would be perfect for the job. Like their music, hers is twinkly-smooth and happy, even the slow songs. Her lyrics are delightfully whimsical (the title song quips, “Always be yourself/but if you can be a unicorn/always be a unicorn”) and the tunes are so catchy you’ll easily begin to sing along, even on the first or second time hearing the album. And yet, despite their apparent simplicity, the songs stay fresh even after ...read more

Reviewed by Carissa - Alicia Ashman on March 7, 2014 | 0 comments

Ten years apart
A review of Don't Talk To Strangers by Amanda Kyle Williams

 This third in the Keye Street series by Amanda Kyle Williams is her best yet.  Keye is an investigator/consultant running her own office in Atlanta. She does a little bit of everything; including background checks, catching bail jumpers, and because of her former job as an FBI profiler, sometimes consulting with local police when a serial killer may be working. The most recent ...read more

Reviewed by Jane J - Central on March 6, 2014 | 0 comments

A pairing of Holocaust graphic novels
A review of The War within These Walls by Aline Sax and Caryl Strzelecki and A Bag of Marbles by Joseph Joffo, Kris, and Vincent Bailly

 It's been more than 20 years since the graphic novel and Holocaust memoir Maus was published and more than 30 years since its first chapter appeared in the comics anthology Raw. Since that time, general readership and library collections of graphic novels have ...read more

Reviewed by Molly - Central on March 4, 2014 | 0 comments

It all started with Lucy
A review of Lucy by Ellen Feldman

 A member of one of my book groups suggested that we read a slim novel she had read about Lucy Mercer, the "other woman" in FDR's marriage. We did so, with the proviso that we also then wanted to read a non-fiction book that covered at least some of the same time or people. Lucy by Ellen Feldman is a slim book told from Lucy's viewpoint, taking place primarily prior World War I ...read more

Reviewed by Liz - Alicia Ashman on March 3, 2014 | 0 comments

We all want something
A review of Baby Wants Mama by Nancy Loewen

 Everyone in the family, from Baby to Mama to Pup, wants something at dinnertime in this sweet, simple story. Short sentences and a relatable situation make this a perfect read aloud for toddlers who need quick reads, and the repetition and rhyme makes it a good choice for beginning readers, as well. Baby wants Mama -- and a good book, too! ...read more

Reviewed by Krissy on February 28, 2014 | 0 comments

It's good to be king?
A review of The Goblin Emperor by Katherine Addison

 A while back I reviewed Ancillary Justice by Ann Leckie - a science fiction book that was getting almost universal praise (including mine) for its ambitious world-building and clever examination of gender and identity - and now I've found a fantasy novel that is equally ambitious and successfully so. The titular ...read more

Reviewed by Jane J - Central on February 27, 2014 | 0 comments

Staving off the doldrums
Our Winter Reading I was looking at my recent reads trying to decide what book to talk about here and when I got a little stumped I decided to ask my co-workers about their reading instead. With this never-ending winter it seems we've been doing a fair amount of reading. Tina just started a graphic novel about dinosaurs called, Dinosaurs: In the Beginning which she says is pretty AWESOME. She's also been consulting ...read more

Reviewed by Jane J - Central on February 26, 2014 | 0 comments

I really love show biz biographies
A review of Melissa Explains It All: Tales from My Abnormally Normal Life by Melissa Joan Hart

 Are you familiar with the '90s television shows Clarissa Explains It All and Sabrina the Teenage Witch? Well, Melissa Joan Hart, the actress who played Clarissa and Sabrina has written a book. And it's highly entertaining. First and foremost, like the subtitle suggests, Melissa is very normal for a child actor with a continuing professional career in Hollywood as an adult. By ...read more

Reviewed by Molly - Central on February 25, 2014 | 1 comment

Calling all truck lovers!
A review of Dig Dogs Dig by James Horvath

 Attention fans of earth movers! These dogs are ready to roll. Follow along with some canine construction workers as they use heavy equipment to make great discoveries and build a park for their community. The rhyming text explains the action and the bright, detailed illustrations give the readers plenty to peruse. The heavy equipment is accurately depicted in the illustrations. The text and the illustrations work together to create understanding of each earth mover's special job. For those who ...read more

Reviewed by Ruth on February 21, 2014 | 0 comments
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Mad Matches
Reading Suggestions from Librarians Looking for your next great read? Follow Madison Public Library on Facebook and tune in on Monday, February 24 for our first ever Facebook online event.Madison librarians will be on Facebook from 5:30-7:30 pm with custom book recommendations just for you. Post the last three books you read and enjoyed on our Facebook page from 5:30-7:30 pm, and we’ll respond with another title we think you’ll enjoy. ...read more

Reviewed by Jane J - Central on February 20, 2014 | 2 comments
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