ABC Wonderful

With the New Year well and truly underway, and my new stack of Christmas gift books sitting on my bedside table, I’ve looked back at my 2014 reading list and pondered my favourites.  This year  it wasn’t a gigantic fiction work nor an intellectual epic that had me purchasing copies for friends this year. No, this year… children’s books reigned supreme and this printed wonder went in every little persons stocking I knew. Funnily enough their delight was matched by parents, uncles, aunties, nannas, pops, baby sitters, dogs, cats and sometimes the lucky teddy who reads along before bed as well.

Once Upon a Alphabet by the great Oliver Jeffers made my smiling cheeks hurt. Firstly… can we just stop to judge this book by its marvelous cover?

Jeffers, one of the most imaginative illustrator/story tellers of our time tells us beautifully alternative tales of each letter; subtle yet immeasurably expressive.

Jeffers nods to adult readers with intelligent conundrums and glorious juxtapositions. His stories brim with the fallible and heartening humanity that makes up our vastly imperfect but mostly noble selves — our paradoxes (A is for “astronaut,” and Edmund the astronaut is afraid of heights), the silly stubbornness (B is for “burning a bridge” and we meet neighbours Bernard and Bob, who have spent years “battling each other for reasons neither could remember”), the playful flights of curiosity (E is for “enigma,” like the question of how many elephants can fit inside an envelope), the existential perplexities (in P, a “puzzled parsnip” spirals into anguish over realising that he is neither a carrot nor a potato), the self-defeating control tactics we employ in attempting to assuage our fear of impermanence (the robots in R are so terrified of rusting that they steal the rain clouds from the sky and lug them around in carts).

It is a spellbinding classic and well worth borrowing whether to read to a child or enjoy your self.

Jaime

 Visit Newcastle Region Library's Catalogue and Website.

Photos of Christmas past in Newcastle

Newcastle Region Library would like to wish all our customers 

a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!

Would you like to see more photos like this? 

Check out Hunter Photo Bank here

Labourers’ Christmas Party held at the Wharf Labourers’ Hall, Wharf Road, Newcastle in 1950.

Newcastle Herald Collection, Newcastle Region Library (104 000871)

Christmas shopping in Hunter Street 1959

Newcastle Herald Collection, Newcastle Region Library (104 012684)

Child posting a Christmas letter at Ells Bookshop in Hunter St, Newcastle, 1961.
Ron Morrison Collection, Newcastle Region Library (00400494)

The famous Christmas lights in David Street, Georgetown, 1968, Newcastle.
Newcastle Herald Collection, Newcastle Region Library (c1264-1)

Alderman's (Councillors) wives Christmas Party, 1966.
Newcastle Herald Collection, Newcastle Region Library (104 006800-1)

The Store Choir entertaining customers during Christmas shopping at The Newcastle Store.
Newcastle Co-op Store Collection, Newcastle Region Library (10800031)

The Swedish Table Christmas : Traditional Holiday Meals, Side Dishes, Candies and Drinks by Jens Linder and Johanna Westman

Are you still planning your Christmas menu? Do you need recipes for a Glogg party? 

This charming book is by two self confessed "Christmas nerds" whose "passion for food reaches its devoted, joyful peak every month of December when gluttony and revelry are socially acceptable and the spirit of tradition is strong."

In this book you will find both traditional and modern recipes interspersed with beautiful Christmas themed collages and photographs. So if  you need a recipe for Gingerbread, molten chocolate, root vegetable salad or new ways with duck, turkey and fish try this book. I must say though, I will be giving the Baked fillet of Reindeer with Bleu Cheese a miss. What would Rudolph think!

The Swedish Christmas Table can be borrowed for free from our eBook collection by library members.

For assistance call library staff on 4974 5340.

Visit Newcastle Region Library's Catalogue and Website.

Zinio Magazine of the Month: Super Food Ideas

Australia’s top-selling food magazine, Super Food Ideas provides busy mothers and families with easy recipes and meal solutions, using readily available ingredients and simple techniques. With hundreds of recipes and tips every issue, you’ll never lack inspiration or ideas with Super Food Ideas.

Get prepared for the Christmas food festivities with December's edition of Super Food ideas. Get Christmas feast ideas that include traditional to meat free recipes, plus 15 great ideas for Christmas salads and starters! Discover recipes for modern recipes, including a delicious coconut and raspberry ice cream cake, as well as recipes for allergy-friendly cakes and cookies. This month's edition of Super Food Ideas will make sure your prepared for the celebrations ahead!

Download the magazine FREE from Zinio, simply visit Newcastle Region Library's Catalogue and Website.

Good Reading - November issue

Members of Newcastle Region Library can read Good Reading magazine for free. The November issue features a review of Revival - the new novel from horror master Stephen King, an extract from Margaret and Gough: the Love Story that Changed a Nation and a special feature on the battles and books of World War I. Visit eMagazines on our website and start reading!

If you need help call the library staff on 02 4974 5340.

 Visit Newcastle Region Library's Catalogue and Website.