The Atrium Blog

My name is Skippito Friskito.
I fear not a single bandito.
My manners are mellow,
I’m sweet like the Jell-O,
I get the job done, yes indeed-o.

 

Have you met this fellow called Skippyjon Jones? He is no ordinary kitten, not at all. His super imagination frequently turns him into El Skippito, a great sword-fighter who is ready to battle banditos everywhere! You can read about these adventures and meet this brave cat in all the Skippyjon Jones books by Judy Schachner.

 

 

Celebrating children’s books with kids is one of our favorite things to do at the library.  This month we teamed up with the Cook Arts Center to create some fantastical cats that would make Skippjon Jones proud!

Moms and Dads joined in with all the creative fun.

Kaden enjoyed every minute of creating his cool cat…

Kierstyn, Addison and their Mom show their cat creations…

 

 

 

 

 

 

Filed under: Kids> Library News
Tags: books, Children's books, Judy Schachner, Kids, Skippyjon Jones
by Jeanne on May 16, 2012
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It’s affecting to walk through Grand Rapids’ Veteran’s Memorial Park and read the inscriptions on each of the monuments.  It got me to thinking of how little I know about all the wars our country has fought in.  With a stretch of Quaker schools behind me, I thought when I was younger that if people  had all they needed, there would be no  war.  Over time, I’ve changed my thoughts about that.  General George Patton is quoted as having said,   “Compared to war, all other forms of human endeavor shrink to insignificance. God help me, I do love it so.”  The library has books, databases, and videos on every aspect of war. I was looking for information on the Korean War and our “History in Context” database was very useful, as were our DVD‘s on that conflict.   War is a Force that Gives Us Meaning, by Chris Hedges, is a more philosophical book, as to why war is unlikely to disappear anytime soon.

 

 

 

Filed under: Books, Movies, Music> Databases> Research> Staff Picks> Trending
Tags: human nature, war
by Lisa on May 16, 2012
1 Comment »

Right on the heels of being inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, the Red Hot Chili Peppers are coming back to Grand Rapids as part of their world tour.

They’ll be at Van Andel Arena on May 26. I’ve seen them twice here in Grand Rapids and the band always rocks! Looks like the date is sold out, so hopefully you’ve got your tickets already.

Check out Anthony Kiedis’ memoir Scar Tissue. He even mentions Grand Rapids! And check out the Peppers’ many excellent albums.

Filed under: Books, Movies, Music> Trending
Tags: Red Hot Chili Peppers, Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, Van Andel Arena
by Amy on May 14, 2012
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What IS Bookfest you ask? Well, for several years you may have known it as Celebration of the Book. This year, the Grand Rapids Public Library will be hosting a stage for Festival of the Arts! And to kick it off, Jim Gill will be having a concert on Saturday, June 2 beginning at 10. Jim Gill is an awarding winning children’s musician who emphasizes how important music and play are in a child’s life. His concerts are always great fun!

After his concert, he will be Grand Marshall to the Storybook Parade around the library! Kids (and adults, too) can come to the concert dressed as their favorite book character and parade around the library after hearing some fantastic music! We, along with the Kroc Center, will also have paper bags to make a vest for those without or not wanting to wear a costume.

 

Next up for families will be local author Gary Schmidt. Mr. Schmidt is a multiple Newbery Medal honor winner and Michael L. Printz honor winner, and he will discuss his books on our stage.

Finally for families, keep an eye out for PBS’ Super Why and Princes Presto from their popular show Super Why. Kids will have the opportunity to shake hands, give hugs, and perhaps even have their picture taken with one of these popular faces.

 

Filed under: Books, Movies, Music> Event> Kids> Library News

by Mary D on May 11, 2012
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When I was in elementary school, a day with a film was a great day. You always knew when it was going to be a film day because sitting in the middle of the room was the reel-to-reel projector and a film can on a cart. The bigger the can, the longer the film. My favorite film was Really Rosie. I don’t know how many times they showed the film in school, but I had every delightful song by Carole King memorized.

The film, which was later adapted for the stage, follows Rosie and the other children in her neighborhood as they create an imaginary musical about Rosie’s life and the demise of her kid brother, Chicken Soup. Rosie, the ringleader of the group, is also the star. She sings “I’m really Rosie, I’m Rosie real, you better believe me, I’m a great big deal.” As I child I was a little bossy and the character of Rosie resonated with me. (OK who am I kidding. I was really bossy.)

Flash forward 30 years. I am browsing the picture books at the Main Library for something new to read to my son, when I see them sitting on the shelf–small books–each one with a title that corresponds to one of the songs in Really Rosie. There is Chicken Soup with Rice, One Was Johnny, Pierre, and Alligators All Around. I gasped when I saw the author–Maurice Sendak. How did I not know that the man who inspired generations of children with his classic books, Where the Wild Things Are, In the Night Kitchen, and Outside Over There had written and directed one of my favorite childhood films? The four small books are known as The Nutshell Library and were the basis for the film.

I checked them all out and delighted in not reading but singing all the books to my son. I could not believe that I remembered each one. When Sendak died this week at the age of 83, I thought not just about how much I enjoy reading his books with my son, but also about how his film made such an impact on me. Mr. Sendak created worlds where children were free to dream and imagine and were “a great big deal.” Thank you Mr. Sendak.

Filed under: Books, Movies, Music> Trending
Tags: really rosie, sendak
by Kristen on May 10, 2012
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I am a sucker for history, especially if it is amusing, so when someone donated a book to us of kitchen planning and decorating, I was thrilled. Why?

Because this book was published in 1972, and is rife with photographs of horrible wallpaper and awash in Avocado green and Harvest gold. Remember Harvest Gold? Don’t deny it. If you were around in the 70s, you know Harvest Gold. I am pretty sure there was some sort of law dictating that all American households must have at least one kitchen appliance in this color.

I looked at the pictures in this book, at all the dark paneling (Rec room, anyone?) and bordering-on-an-acid-trip wallpaper (Why was this so frequently in the guest bathroom? Did they *want* their guests to feel like Major Tom?), and I was entranced. Part of it was nostalgia, and part of it was hilarity. I wondered, Did we really think this décor was beautiful? We must have. Like wearing bell-bottoms, very few may actually admit it, but those of us born early enough to experience this will recall living in a place with wallpaper and appliances in colors that didn’t strike us as awful at the time. As they say, hindsight is 20/20.

(more…)

Filed under: Local History> Research> Trending

by Emily on May 10, 2012
5 Comments »

Kids: Do you want to make something special for your mom for Mother’s Day?

Moms: Do you want to receive a special gift for showing up somewhere because of all you do?

Families: Do you want to do something fun this weekend that has food, stories, music, and more?

Than stop by the Main branch of GRPL this Saturday, anytime from 1-4pm for Fiesta!

The program, once again funded with a grant from the Grand Rapids Public Library Foundation will feature:

Four different crafts.  Choose one or make them all!

Two bi-lingual storytimes, featuring our special guest, Mr.Edwin from the Cook Library Center of the Grandville Avenue Arts and Humanities.

Food!

Raffles for bi-lingual picture books.

Once again the local band, Cabildo will be entertaining the crowd.

In addition to all this, the first 50 mom’s to attend will receive a rose as a thank you for all they do to encourage our children.

See you there!

 

Filed under: Event> Kids> Library News> News> Trending
Tags: cabildo, family, fiesta, food, hispanic, Kids
by Steve M on May 10, 2012
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I don’t know about you, but I have wanted to see a show by Cirque du Soleil ever since I was shown a video of a performance in my high school French Class. I remember watching in awe as the performers moved their bodies in ways I could only dream about. They twisted and turned and flipped more than anything I had ever seen.

If you are as mesmerized by the Cirque performers as I am, this may be your lucky day. Our friends at Van Andel Arena have graciously donated a pair of tickets to Quidam for the Wednesday, May 30, 2012 show at 7:30 pm to be given away at each branch. GRPL card holders can stop into any nearby branch from May 9-22 to fill out an entry form. You are welcome to enter at multiple locations, but you can only win one pair of tickets. We will be drawing on May 23.

For more information on the show, check out the Quidam website and check out a DVD or CD of a different Cirque du Soleil performance. Click here to purchase tickets to a performance of Quidam.

Filed under: Books, Movies, Music> Event
Tags: acrobatics, cirque du soleil, contest, performance, tickets
by Melissa K on May 9, 2012
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I feel like an obituary writer, but I would be remiss if I didn’t acknowledge the passing of beloved children’s author/illustrator Maurice Sendak. Probably most renown for Where the Wild Things Are, love him or hate him, Mr. Sendak was a legend in children’s publishing. His unique style and talent will be missed.

Filed under: News> Trending

by Mary D on May 8, 2012
3 Comments »

My family has never owned a firearm as long as I remember. So naturally, I tend to view firearms as an unnecessary and dangerous. However,  I also understand that many people feel a sense of protection by carrying weapons. Besides, the second amendment in the U.S.  Constitution gives us the “right to keep and bear arms,” right?

The topic of gun control, specifically the right to carry concealed weapons, seems to have invaded the news over the past month, starting when Colorado Courts struck down the University of Colorado’s ban on concealed weapons, which will allow students and faculty to carry firearms on campus.

Since this ruling, it seems that the issue of gun control has taken center stage in the political arena and has been a discussion point in Grand Rapids.  The State Senate has been toying with the idea of passing a bill to allow concealed weapons in schools and other public locations. There has been a recent debate whether allowing concealed weapons at the Van Andel Arena is a constitutional right or not.  Currently, many Grand Rapidians are voicing their opinions on Mlive.com on this issue.

While I don’t want to worry if someone is carrying a gun when I go to the Red Hot Chili Peppers concert, I want to continue to learn more about how gun control policies are impacting my community. I will be using the Gale Opposing Viewpoints database, since it addresses the many different perspectives on this topic. Additionally, the library has many books about gun control as well.

 

Filed under: Trending

by Brandon on May 8, 2012
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