MYTH & FOLKLORE BASED FICTION

This week's blog post features books that are based on different myths and folklore. Some of the works are retellings of classic stories while others feature characters from the different myths. Myths and folklore are a part of every culture and typically are used to explain natural phenomena, how a civilization was created, where people came from, or why things happen the way they do. Myths most often include different gods and goddesses, supernatural beings, and heroes (often with super-human powers). 

Check out some of these titles today!

Middle Grade Fiction

Aru Shah and the End of Time by Roshani Chokshi (Hindu)

Maya and the Dark Rising by Rena Barron (West African)

When You Trap a Tiger by Tae Keller (Korean)

Tristan Strong Punches a Hole in the Sky by Kwame Mbalia (West African & African)

Athena the Brain by Joan Holub (Greek)

City of the Plague God by Sarwat Chadda (Mesopotamian)

YA Fiction

Poison Princess by Kresley Cole (Tarot)

The Lightning Thief by Rick Riordan (Greek)

The Red Pyramid by Rick Riordan (Egyptian)

Children of Ragnarok by Cinda Williams Chima (Norse)

Lore by Alexandra Bracken (Greek)

A Snake Falls to Earth by Darcie Littlebadger (Lipan Apache)

Adult Fiction

Circe by Madeline Miller (Greek)

The Silence of the Girls by Pat Barker (Greek)

House of Names by Colm Toibin (Greek)

The Bear and the Nightingale by Katherine Arden (Russian)

The Maidens by Alex Michaelides (Greek)

American Gods by Neil Gaiman (Multiple including Norse, Egyptian, & Algonquian)

Pictures from https://ent.sharelibraries.info/client/en_US/evans

PROGRAM ROUND UP

We have a lot of programs going on this week, and we hope you are able to stop by!  

Monday, February 20 (No School Day)

• Indoor Games - Join us for balloon volleyball, paper plate tennis, and other games! 
• Book Tasting - Sample a variety of different books to see which ones you'd like to devour!

Tuesday, February 21

• No programs today, but stop in to browse the collections!

Wednesday, February 22

• Storytime - Stories, songs, and other early literacy activities for children ages 2-5 with caregivers.
• Manga & Munchies - Come share your favorite graphic novels/manga!

Thursday, February 23

• Antemeridians Book Club - This month, we are reading The Family Romanov by Candace Fleming.
• Evening Storytime - Stories, songs, and other early literacy activities for children ages 2-5 with caregivers.

Friday, February 24

• Baby Storytime - Lapsit stories, songs, and fingerplays.
• Movers & Makers - Sing, dance, play, and create! Registration is required.

For more information on these programs, visit our website's Events & More page: https://www.als.lib.wi.us/EFPL/events/programs-events/

ONE SEED ONE WISCONSIN

This year we are participating in a brand new initiative: One Seed One Wisconsin. Participating libraries throughout the state are offering access to the same garden seed, and for the first year of the program, we are offering the Wisconsin 55 tomato. 

This variety of tomato was first bred in Wisconsin at the University of Wisconsin-Madison. It was bred for disease and crack resistance in our humid upper Midwest climate. These tomatoes are great for canning or for fresh eating. Seed packets are available now in our Ag/Business area.

Interested in learning more? Mark your calendars for our program on the Wisconsin 55 tomato:

On Thursday, March 30 at 6:00 PM, the Rock Prairie Master Gardener Association, Inc. will be offering a presentation on best practices in the propagation and care of tomatoes. They will begin with a short history of the Wisconsin 55 tomato, followed by the basics of growing good tomatoes. They encourage all in attendance to bring their questions.  We will also have seed packets available for attendees to take home.

Still want more? Check out some of these gardening books today!

Ten Tomatoes That Changed the World by William Alexander

Niki Jabbour's Veggie Garden Remix by Niki Jabbour

The Seed Garden by Lee Alan Buttala

The Month-by-Month Gardening Guide by Franz Bohmig

Grow Now by Emily Murphy

Plant Grow Harvest Repeat by Meg McAndrews Cowden

The Garden Refresh by Kier Holmes

GrowVeg by Benedict Vanheems

Picture from https://ent.sharelibraries.info/client/en_US/evansint/?dt=list

CLASSICS OF SCIENCE FICTION

What is science fiction? Science fiction is a genre of fiction that often deals with futuristic concepts such as advanced science and technology, space exploration, time travel, aliens, and parallel universes. Oftentimes, you will find some crossover between science fiction and other genres such as horror, fantasy, and superhero fiction. You will also often see it referred to as sci-fi.

This week's blog post features many titles that are considered classics or mainstays in the area of science fiction. Pick one up today!

Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep? by Philip K. Dick

• Androids

Frankenstein by Mary Shelley

• Scientists
• Crossover with horror

The Time Machine by H.G. Wells

• Time travel
• Dystopias

Brave New World by Aldous Huxley

• Genetic engineering
• Dystopias

I, Robot by Isaac Asimov

• Robots

Fahrenheit 451 by Ray Bradbury

• A future in which advances in technology have significantly transformed society

Starship Troopers by Robert A. Heinlein

• Future society
• Interstellar government

A Wrinkle in Time by Madeleine L'Engle

• Space
• Time travel
• Extraterrestrials

Dune by Frank Herbert

• Life on other planets

The Left Hand of Darkness by Ursula K. Le Guin

• Life on other planets

Slaughterhouse-Five by Kurt Vonnegut 

• Time travel
• Extraterrestrials

The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy by Douglas Adams

• Space
• Extraterrestrials

The Children of Men by P.D. James

• Near future dystopia

Doomsday Book by Connie Willis

• Time Travel

Picture from https://ent.sharelibraries.info/client/en_US/evans