Between 2010 and 2019, Cauli Le Chat (2006?-2020), feline roving reporter for Mooresville Public Library (Mooresville, Indiana), reported all things interesting to cats (and humans) happening at the library. Related stories from across the state (and beyond) were also included.
Our MEG-A-RAE gals look at some great books loosely relating to their New Orleans/Mardi Gras/Zydeco's theme. Adults and teens will respectively enjoy reading these three books featured, I'd venture. But the true highlight of this week's video blog (vlog) is Savvy wearing her blue wig. Quite the look, I must say.
Your Roving Reporter On The Go,
Cauli Le Chat
P.S. "Blue Hair," composed by Joe Iconis, was performed by Krysta Rodriguez from The Joe Iconis Rock and Roll Jamboree (2007) at the Laurie Beechman theatre in New York City.
Young humans (preschoolers, or early literacy readers as they are known in the library trade) sometimes have trouble falling asleep. Bedtime stories help children relax and drift off to the land o' nod, where the Sandman brings (hopefully) sweet dreams.
Coming next month, there will be a new children's picture book to assist caregivers in reaching slumberville with their young charges. Our book trailer highlights the storyline.
MPL Book Trailer #169
Nighty-Night, Sleep Tight, by Jennifer Berne & David Walker (Illustrator)
(Sterling's Children's Books, 2013)
For Ages 3 and Older
Publication Date: March 2013
In a review of Berne's book, fellow author Mike Thaler says that Nighty-Night is a fitting "bedtime buddy" for the classic children's picture book, Goodnight Moon, by Margaret Wise Brown. That's high praise, indeed, but it is well-deserved. With its rhythmic rhymes and soft, gentle illustrations, Nighty-Night is an ideal bedtime read-aloud.
My Library should definitely order a copy. Casey at the Bat and Crafty Gal know what to do.
Your Roving Reporter On The Go,
Cauli Le Chat
P.S. "Good Night," by the Beatles, completes the two-disc self-titled album commonly known as The White Album (1968). John Lennon wrote the song originally as a lullaby for his then five-year-old son, Julian. Ringo Starr provides a solid lead vocal, and producer George Martin's rich orchestration gently and lovingly carries the listener to the end.
The first Saturday in February is "Take Your Child to the Library Day." At least that's true in Connecticut. Actually, as the video in my postscript reveals, this holiday is now celebrated in 34 states and four countries.
Bunny Families, Too, Are Welcome
This holiday is now included in Chase's Calendar of Events (2013 edition), so it must be official.
Many public libraries are having special programs today for children and their caregivers. Our PAWS to Read program is starting right now (it is exactly 10:30 a.m. as my minions are typing this), if I correctly remember our online calendar.
We have many children's programs happening at MPL, as you may see from a quick glance at our latest newsletter, The Bookmark. You may sign-up using our online calendar, or call (317) 831-7323 to register. Of course, you may also sign-up for programs when visiting the Library.
Your Roving Reporter On The Go,
Cauli Le Chat
P.S. "Take Your Child to the Library Day" is now a nationwide campaign, according to this Connecticut newscast excerpt on YouTube (late January, 2013).
P.P.S. Seeing those bun-buns on that cute graphic above reminded moi of our book trailer for The Bunny Book, the classic children's picture book by Patricia (Patsy) & Richard Scarry. This is Scowl-Face's favorite book from his youth.
Besides that other name commonly used to describe today, whistle pigs are known as woodchucks or marmots. National Geographic uses their official zoological title, Marmota monax. Obviously, I'm no biologist or zoologist or whatever-kind-of-gist, because I think a much more intriguing species name would be rodentia meteorologica. Why? Whistle pigs predict the remaining length of winter today, right? So they're nature's meteorologists. Plus, they look like rodents to moi. Case closed.
Do you think Punxsutawney Phil will see his shadow today?
Who Can See a Shadow With
All These "Officials" Gadding About?
I'll tell you this: If any human "handlers" grabbed moi and held moi up in the air before a hooting, squealing crowd of people, those "handlers" would have two (or more) fewer hands (depending upon the number of "handlers"). Also, what's with the funereal garb? "Stuffed shirts" galore!
This whole business seems ridiculous to moi. But, then, I won't tolerate crowds of humans yammering and shuffling around. It's no picnic for the whistle pig, from all appearances.
Well, there won't be any shadow-seeing around where I live. Overcast, snow, and bitter cold are forecast. So I suppose we'll have whatever weather comes when shadows are unseen.
Your Roving Reporter On The Go,
Cauli Le Chat
P.S. Groundhog Day (1993) was a popular movie starring Bill Murray and Andie MacDowell and directed by Harold Ramis. Here's the movie trailer.
Scowl-Face thought it would be fun during Black History Month for library patrons to experience the underground railroad through an online video game. Mission US, in conjunction with WNET Thirteen, the Corporation for Public Broadcasting, and the National Endowment for the Humanities, has such a game: "Flight to Freedom." Here's a promo trailer that shows us what to expect.
To play the interactive video game, visit the Mission US website and choose Mission 2. The game immerses the player in the escape of a 14-year-old Kentucky slave named Lucy. You become Lucy. Your decisions determine if she escapes bondage. There were many perils fleeing slaves faced travelling the Underground Railroad, and by playing this game, you, too, will face these dangers. Who can you trust? How will you manage to meet basic biological survival needs in unfriendly territories? Will you reach freedom?
Interactive gaming such as "Flight to Freedom" fuels learners' interests in history and brings the past into sharp focus for modern students. There is no substitute for "being there," even if "there" is simply a computer simulation.
Your Roving Reporter On The Go,
Cauli Le Chat
P.S. Television viewers first became "eyewitnesses" to historical events watching the television series You Are There (1953-1957), hosted by famous news announcer Walter Cronkite. On April 17, 1955, the audience witnessed issuance of President Abraham Lincoln's Emancipation Proclamation (January 1, 1863). My minions couldn't find a video clip from this episode (or the entire original series, amazingly), but here is a clip from the revival of the program when it aired Saturday mornings on CBS (1971-1972), which Scowl-Face recalled watching. This episode took viewers to the siege of the Alamo.
