History in the Park

In August, we are partnering with the Historical Society for a Vietnam War display. They will be putting on a History in the Park event about the Vietnam War on Sunday August 25th. This event will feature Madison author and Vietnam veteran Doug Bradley who will be speaking about his book DEROS Vietnam: Dispatches from the Air-Conditioned Jungle.

Doug Bradley is also the author of We Gotta Get Out of this Place: The Soundtrack of the Vietnam War.

Brush up on your history before hitting the park with these other Vietnam War reads:

The League of Wives by Heath Hardage Lee

A Rift in the Earth by James Reston, Jr.

We Were Soldiers Once - And Young by Harold G. Moore

They Called It Naked Fanny by Scott Harrington

Wisconsin Vietnam War Stories by Mik Derks

Inheriting the War by Lauren McClung

They Marched into Sunlight by David Maraniss

The Vietnam War: An Intimate History by Geoffrey Ward

App Review: Ready Jet Go! Space Explorer

App Name: Ready Jet Go! Space Explorer
Developer: PBS Kids
Cost: Free
Available on iOS, Amazon, Google Play
Recommended for Kindergarten - Grade 2

Explore a virtual night sky to learn about stars, planets, and more. If using the app outside of the library, you can share your location with the app to match the view of the virtual sky to your local sky. There aren’t very many astronomy apps for kids, so curious star gazers will appreciate this one!

Summer Music to Make Note Of

Whether you're just chilling at home; going for a drive; or gearing up for a music festival, a Summer soundtrack is pretty essential. The right songs can really add so much to whatever your adventure may be.
All across the genres there were so many great album releases this Spring and even more this Summer! Give these a try and you will probably find the next track or album that just begs you to hit repeat. If they haven't actually been released yet, now is the perfect time to put yourself on the wait list!

Happiness Begins by Jonas Brothers

Cuz I Love You by Lizzo

No. 6 Collaborations Project by Ed Sheeran

Lover by Taylor Swift

Center Point Road by Thomas Rhett

Madame X by Madonna

Map of the Soul: Persona by BTS

Hurts 2B Human by Pink

When We All Fall Asleep, Where Do We Go? 

by Billie Eilish

Let's Rock by The Black Keys
Social Cues by Cage the Elephant
Help Us Stranger by The Raconteurs
Western Stars by Bruce Springsteen
Living Mirage by Head and the Heart
The Center Won't Hold by Sleater-Kinney
Fever Dream by Of Monsters and Men
The Teal Album by Weezer

App Review: Labo's Pebble Art

App Name: Labo's Pebble Art
Developer: Labo Lado Inc.
Cost: $1.99
Available on iOS, Amazon,  Google Play
Recommended for Preschool and Up

This app encourages kids to get creative with natural elements like stones, rocks, and pebbles. Kids will create different creatures out of stones, color them, and then use their characters to play 12 different games. Games like matching and sorting encourage children to think mathematically while looking for similarities and differences. Natural elements like stones, rocks, and pebbles are featured in the app, extending real world experiences.

Beach Reads

The Dog Days of Summer are upon us. Maybe you're lucky enough to be enjoying them on an actual beach or maybe you're just daydreaming about the sun and sand. Either way, you can get your summer reading fix by checking out some of the most popular "beach reads" of this year.

Wait, what is a beach read anyway?! Typically it's a book that you take on vacation with you that's fun to read and nothing too serious. But really, a beach read can be whatever you want it to be. The following are some of this Summer's hot reads!

Summer of '69 by Elin Hilderbrand

The Friends We Keep by Jane Green

The Summer Guests by Mary Alice Monroe

Mrs. Everything by Jennifer Weiner

What Happen in Paradise by Elin Hilderbrand

Honestly We Meant Well by Grant Ginder

The Golden Hour by Beatriz Williams

The Marriage Clock by Zara Raheem

Meet Me in Monaco by Hazel Gaynor

The Unhoneymooners by Christina Lauren

I Scream, You Scream!

I scream, you scream, we all scream for ice cream!

It has been crazy hot lately, so what better way to beat that Summer heat than to indulge in an ice cold treat?!

Did you know that this fun to say phrase is actually from a 1920s song? It started out as a comedic novelty song and was so well liked that it ended up becoming a jazz standard.

You can take a listen to the song by clicking here: 

I Scream, You Scream, We All Scream for Ice Cream!

If you're feeling extra ambitious this Summer, why not try making your own frozen treats?

No-Churn Ice Cream: Over 100 Simply Delicious 

No-Machine Frozen Treats: by Leslie Bilderback

The Ultimate Ice Cream Book: Over 500 Ice Creams, 

Sorbets, Granitas, Drinks, and More by Bruce Weinstein

Ice Cream and Iced Desserts: Over 150 Irresistible Ice 

Cream Treats - From Classic Vanilla to Elegant Bombes and Terrines by Joanna Farrow 

Jeni's Splendid Ice Creams at Home by Jeni Bauer

App Review: Fireworks Lab

App Name: Fireworks Lab
Developer: Cowly Owl
Cost: Free
Available on iOS, Amazon, Google Play
Recommended for Preschool and Up

The experience of watching fireworks in the summer is something many children have, and acting out their own fireworks show is a fun way for them to engage with the world around them in a safe and playful way. The app is intuitive and easy to use, allowing for younger players. Plus, children learn through play. Play gives the opportunity for children to express themselves and put thoughts into words and actions.

Oh say can you read?

Somehow the Fourth of July is already upon us! It had seemed like Summer was never going to come and now it's just zipping right on by. The hot weather seems to have found us too which means it's the perfect time to stay inside where it's cool and read.
So, if you are in the mood for some festive reading but maybe aren't interested in getting bogged down by heavy history vibes, try these lighter mystery reads.
As a friendly reminder, the Library is closed on Thursday July 4th. Have a safe and happy holiday!

A Catered Fourth of July by Isis Crawford

Dead, White, and Blue by Carolyn Hart

Star Spangled Murder by Leslie Meier

Fourth of July Creek by Smith Henderson

Yankee Doodle Dead by Carolyn Hart

Red, White and Blue Murder by Bill Crider