Publisher: Dial Books for Young Readers
Check Library Catalog Pub Date: 9/21/2006
ISBN: 9780803730946
ISBN-10: 0803730942

Take the world’s most tired joke and give it to 14 of the top children’s book artists and it becomes a delightful picture book filled with illustrated punch lines —"I’m telling you guys, I just did it to get to the other side!” and “because the light changed” ending with “You tell me”. Whether it is a tuxedo-clad chicken, zombie chickens from Mars, or city chickens rollerblading and cackling on cell phones- you will be crowing for more after savoring Why Did the Chicken Cross the Road? compiled by Jon Agee.

Publisher: Holiday House
Check Library Catalog Pub Date: 4/30/2005
ISBN: 9780823418046
ISBN-10: 0823418049

Another “eggceptional eggstravaganza” is The newest pun filled chicken tale by one of my favorite author/illustrators Mary Jane Auch. Chickerella is a very fractured barnyard version of Cinderella. With non stop wordplay and visual details, Auch relates the story of Chickerella, her wicked stepmother and stepsisters (Ovumelda and Cholestera) rescued by her Fairy Goosemother, who is quite the fashion designer, sending her off to the Fowl Ball from which she flees at midnight leaving a glass egg behind. A surprise ending awaits. I was enchanted with the artwork—handmade chicken mannequins were dressed, accessorized and positioned with found objects, photographed and scaled using a computer.

Publisher: Dial Books
Check Library Catalog Pub Date: 4/20/2006
ISBN: 9780803730809
ISBN-10: 0803730802

I couldn’t resist listening to a book entitled Here Lies the Librarian by Richard Peck. You will always find 14 year old Peewee helping her brother Jake run their small garage “way out in the weeds” in 1914 Indiana. Then four wealthy pretty young librarians motor down their old road and life changes forever for Peewee, Jake and the town library.

Publisher: Candlewick Press
Check Library Catalog Pub Date: 4/1/2003
ISBN: 9780763619312
ISBN-10: 0763619310

Once Judy sees a picture of Jessica Finch in the newspaper for winning the spelling bee, she realizes everyone has some claim to fame except her. Now she must find a way to be a star. Perhaps she could enter the local pet contest-after all her cat can make toast. I listened to Judy Moody Gets Famous by Megan McDonald on the way to work, f-u-n-n-y!

First Chapter  

Publisher: Hyperion Books for Children
Check Library Catalog Pub Date: 9/1/2006
ISBN: 9780786838820
ISBN-10: 0786838825

From the first page to the last line of Clementine by Sara Pennypacker I didn’t stop laughing once.
Chapter I – “I have had not so good of a week. Well, Monday was a pretty good day, if you don’t count Hamburger Surprise at lunch and Margaret’s mother coming to get her. Or the stuff that happened in the principal’s office when I got sent there to explain that Margaret’s hair was not my fault and besides she looks okay without it, but I couldn’t because Principal Rice was gone, trying to calm down Margaret’s mother. Someone should tell you not to answer the phone in the principal’s office, if that’s a rule. Okay, fine, Monday was not so good of a day.”

Publisher: Ballantine Books
Check Library Catalog Pub Date: 6/28/2005
ISBN: 9780345478108
ISBN-10: 034547810X

Faye Quick was meant to be a typist at A Detective Agency, but her boss went off to fight in the Second World War. Faye is now the boss lady. She ain’t your regular tomato, with her sassy air and impertinent questions. This book has a fabulous backdrop, filled with 1940’s slang, USO dances and murder.

First Chapter  

Publisher: Fantagraphics Books
Check Library Catalog Pub Date: 1/1/2004
ISBN: 9781560975588
ISBN-10: 156097558X

This book is a compilation of love comics from the 1950’s full of “nice girls” and parents with sage advice. One of my favorites is called “Loneliness made me a pick up” In it Terry is so ill, that the doctor writes her a prescription, a prescription for a boyfriend! Her “symptoms point to the need for romantic interest,” but none of the boys in town have asked her out, so she figures the best way to get a date is to go to the next town over and walk the streets.

Publisher: Sony Pictures Home Entertainment
Check Library Catalog Pub Date: 1/1/2007
UPC: 00043396148598

This is the new James Bond film that stars Daniel Craig as 007. Now many people think how can this new guy, Daniel Craig, possibly be as good as or better than Sean Connery? I know, I was skeptical too. Then I saw it in the theatre, twice. And he is better. He is funny, charming, handsome and deadly. If the new guy, and Sean Connery from his heyday had a contest to see who could be the ultimate James Bond, I think Daniel Craig would win. Don’t believe me? Watch the movie and decide for yourself.

Publisher: Wea Corp
Check Library Catalog Pub Date: 9/4/1990
UPC: 00081227098827

This is a two volume CD set of saccharine, smarmy girl group goodness from the 1960’s. This collection contains songs from two of my favorite girl groups, the Shirelles and the Shangri Las as well as some stand alone favorites like “Popsicles and icicles” where the Murmaids sing about some of their boyfriends’ favorite things, including popsicles and icicles. Another favorite is called “Johnny get angry” by Joanie Sommers. She sings about how she wants a “brave man” and a “cave man.” Doesn’t everyone?

Publisher: Emi Distribution
Check Library Catalog Pub Date: 11/7/1995
UPC: 00017046751520

The Misfits have been my close companion since high school. They are good for turning up loud, whether at home or driving down the freeway so that everyone can hear it. Loud is best so you can fully enjoy Glenn Danzig’s Elvis/Jim Morrison-like vocals. This collection has such hits as “We bite,” “Rat fink,” and “Nike-a-go-go.” It also contains “Return of the fly” with Danzig singing about Vincent Price and the 1959 classic horror film he starred in. “Halloween” is always a favorite song whether in the fall or any other time of the year. Enjoy!

Publisher: Sony Bmg Music
Check Library Catalog Pub Date: 8/16/2005
UPC: 00037629592326

I first heard this Spanish group while I was visiting relatives in Mexico City two years ago. Although they dress in spandex, wear make up, and have horrendously big band hair, and look like a true 80’s heavy metal band, they are pure pop. My favorites on this album are “Quemandome de amor,” and “Mueriendo lento,” with Mexican pop singer Belinda.

Publisher: DGC
Check Library Catalog Pub Date: 1/1/1994
UPC: 00720642462928

My all-time favorite album to listen to anytime and in any mood is Weezer’s self-titled first album Weezer (it’s also known as the Blue Album). All songs are my favorites, but I especially enjoy listening to “My name is Jonas.”

Publisher: Andrews, McMeel & Parker
Check Library Catalog Pub Date: 4/1/1987
ISBN: 9780606010061
ISBN-10: 0606010068

I have my older brother to thank for introducing me to Calvin and Hobbes comics when I was a kid. Calvin reminds me of why I just love working with children. His view point on life and parents, and grown ups in general, remind me that sometimes life shouldn’t be taken too seriously.

Publisher: Hyperion Books for Children
Check Library Catalog Pub Date: 9/1/2005
ISBN: 9780786852949
ISBN-10: 0786852941

This is a new favorite of mine by a very fun and creative author, Mo Willems. It’s about Leonardo, who as the title suggests is terrible, well, terribly bad at scaring people. When he finally gets the clever idea to scare the most scaredy cat kid in the world, he learns that there is something better than being a terrible monster.

Publisher: HarperSanFrancisco
Check Library Catalog Pub Date: 5/1/2006
ISBN: 9780061122415
ISBN-10: 0061122416

Paolo Coelho’s classic novel is by far one my favorite books to read more than once. The story of Santiago, a sheep herder, who dreams of finding his treasure and challenged to do so by an ancient king, is a fable about the importance of following ones dreams and the lessons learned along the way.

First Chapter  

Publisher: William Morrow
Check Library Catalog Pub Date: 10/1/2006
ISBN: 9780060825393
ISBN-10: 0060825391

Narlund writes a fictionalized, sympathetic portrayal of Marie Antoinette that captured my imagination and interest. How would this fourteen-year old Austrian princess fare in the French court without family or friends? How will she deal with an uninterested husband when all of Europe is pressuring her to have a baby?

First Chapter  

Publisher: N.A. Talese/Doubleday
Check Library Catalog Pub Date: 9/1/2001
ISBN: 9780385489485
ISBN-10: 038548948X

After reading Abundance, I was inspired to read Antonia Fraser’s scholarly biography of Marie Antoinette. Fraser loads the drama with meticulous detail and I came away feeling like an expert!

First Chapter  Table of Contents  

Publisher: Paramount Home Video
Check Library Catalog Pub Date: 10/10/2006
UPC: 00841887050555

If you want facts without the commitment of reading Fraser’s biography, try this new, well-done PBS release on the life of Marie Antoinette.

Publisher: Sony Pictures Home Entertainment
Check Library Catalog Pub Date: 1/1/2007
UPC: 00043396159105

Sofia Coppola directed and Kirsten Dunst starred in this contemporary and impressionistic look at Marie’s life in the French court up to the revolution. It is a sumptuous visual feast of the palace and gardens of Versailles and the costumes of the period. I loved it but most of my friends did not. Don’t watch it for historical accuracy, but try it for an almost tongue-in-cheek look of Marie as a celebrity.

It’s the time of year for the Oscars and Cinequest, and movies are on the brain! For a flavorful change of pace, check out my global sampling of films:

Publisher: New Yorker Video
Check Library Catalog Pub Date: 10/19/2004
UPC: 00717119870447

I SO loved this! This delightful documentary takes you to the magical place of childhood as no other work of fiction can! Watching the children learn and interact in a one-room schoolhouse in France was touching and often comical. I most especially fell in love with Jojo and the ever-patient school teacher. Hopefully someday they will do a follow-up documentary and tell us where the kids from this film have landed. The movie is quiet and calming, and can be a real antidote to a frenzied day. I’ve viewed it repeatedly, as needed!

Publisher: Paramount Home Video
Check Library Catalog Pub Date: 1/1/2002
UPC: 00097363408048

She’s an aunt and a chef, two of the greatest things to be! The story about Martha, her niece, and the sous-chef who comes to work with her was completely enjoyable. Watching the development of their intertwining relationships makes this movie an altogether tasty treat!

Publisher: Sony Pictures Home Enter
Check Library Catalog Pub Date: 1/1/2000
UPC: 00043396086975

It may start out as a vacation, but this harried housewife’s journey to Venice leads her to discover her most true self. It’s a great trip to take without ever leaving the couch!

Publisher: Warner Home Video
Check Library Catalog Pub Date: 3/21/2006
UPC: 00012569736795

Here’s a look at the flip side of the coin. This film presents a rare view at the circumstances and motivation surrounding a suicide bomb plot, and poses an interesting question of how an oppressor can also play the victim.

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This farcical story about a thug named Munnabhai was surprisingly enjoyable, containing elements of comedy, drama, romance, and music. I especially enjoyed the conversations that occurred between the main character and Gandhi, who appears to him and gives him pep talks and guidance along the way. This unique film successfully combines touching human truths and light-hearted laughs.