And the Pursuit of Happiness

Author & Illustrator: Maira Kalman

Publication Date: 2010

Category: Whimsical, artistic, creative and poetic non-fiction

Who'll want to read it? Anyone who thinks Abraham Lincoln would have made a great boyfriend.

Point of no return: If you are like me, you will be hooked from the very first page. I saw the Maira Kalman interviewed on "The Colbert Report" and had to read it. View the interview and I think you will be charmed into reading it also.

Classic line: "All of this history makes me want to embrace Lincoln and bring him into my world. I imagine us walking around New York. We would go straight to the Museum of Modern Art. Maybe we would look at self-portraits by Frida Kahlo. Would he be fascinated by a female artist with a unibrow and mustache flaunting her sexuality and visions? I think so." pg 83-85

What's it all about? It's an illustrated history lesson and love letter to all that is good in the USA. It doesn't skip over the bad bits, but makes you think about things without being confronted or horribly depressed. You don't even need to read this book to enjoy it, the illustrations and photos are so delicious. If you would like to borrow a copy contact the lovely staff at Newcastle Region Library - 02 4974 5344.

Publisher: The Penguin Press

Visit Newcastle Region Library's Catalogue and Website.

High Tea with Jane Austen

On Wednesday 8th December, 30 of Wallsend's most dedicated Jane Austen fans flooded Wallsend District Library to celebrate all things Austen.

From High Tea with scones and wildflowers to trivia and voting for their favourite Austen character, all who attended had a lovely morning immersing themselves in Jane facts and fun!

Mr Darcy won as the favourite (a huge suprise) and we were treated to some tales of saucy seduction in our writing competition about Darcy and Elizabeth's happily-ever-after honeymoon. We had lots of accomplished ladies, as well as regency maids and aristocrats gracing our tables and vying for a place in our costume competition.

All together we had a wonderful morning, with everyone getting into the spirit of the event. A big thank you goes out to all our patrons who constantly support our events and make them something to remember, this is what the library is all about!

Puggle's Problem

Author: Aleesah Darlison

Illustrator: Sandra Temple

Publication Date: 2010

Category: Picture Book

What's it all about?

Pipp Puggle is a beautiful baby echidna, he is top of his class at eating ants and makes "terrifically tidy burrows", but Pipp is very worried, he is the only one in the whole bush who hasn't grown his spines yet.

So, Pipp goes on an experimental adventure trying all sorts of funny things to make his spines grow. From eating handfuls of eucalyptus leaves to laughing until sunset, but nothing seems to work, will he ever get his spines?

This was a beautiful story about growing up and about all the different animals in our incredible Australian bushland. It was lovely and simple, while on another level it gave me a lot of laughs about all the things we do to try and grow up too fast.

There is a wonderful message in this book about letting things happen when they happen, about enjoying your life and not rushing it.

But most of all, it was about a very cute echidna, Pipp Puggle!

I would recommend reading this book to any child in your life, it will bring a smile to both your faces, gorgeous illustrations and a great story.

Publisher: Wombat Books

If you love the sound of this book

why not meet the author during our January School Holiday Fun!

Aleesah will be holding sessions of 'Draw. Dream. Write. Delight' and 

'Puggle Storytime' at different branches of Newcastle Region Library.

Contact your local library for more information OR download the program from our online catalogue:
Visit Newcastle Region Library's Catalogue and Website.

HSC Society & Culture PIPs

Are you starting HSC Society & Culture? Are you having trouble with your Personal Interest Project? Do you need ideas for your layout?

Wallsend District Library and the Information & Research Centre at Newcastle Region Library have 17 award-winning Personal Interest Projects (PIPs) available for viewing. These PIPs have been selected from 2009 entries which were awarded with Distinctions.

Here are some of the available titles:

• Penetrating Australia's Patriotism
• Afghan Girls Gone Wild
• Through the Porthole
• Deutschland: ü ber alles
• Is Foreign Aid Perpetuating 'Race'?
• An Exploration into the Attitudes Towards the Mothertongue Among Second Generation Adolescent Australians

PIPs cannot be loaned or photocopied, but are completely free to access. Simply ask our friendly staff.

Did you know that our libraries also hold study guides for Society & Culture? Or that we have provide access to a range of electronic resources such as ebooks and searchable databases on civilizations and global issues? Simply search our catalogue or use our E-resource page to get started.

Rediscover Marilyn Monroe

Two gorgeous recent releases will delight Marilyn Monroe fans.

The first is Fragments: poems, intimate notes, letters by Marilyn Monroe, edited by Stanley Buchthal and Bernard Comment. Fragments is a manuscript lover's dream - a collection of notes, letters and poems written in Marilyn's own hand. Each piece is copied in the book and transcribed on the opposite page with notes and explanations. The book gives us an intimate insight into Marilyn Monroe, highlighting her sense of humour, her despair, her perfectionism and her charm. Each section is complemented with rarely seen photographs.

Marilyn August 1953: the lost Look photos by John Vachon, text by Brian Wallis, is another treasure trove for lover's of things lost. John Vachon was sent to Canada in 1953 by Look magazine to do a story on Hollywood in Canada. Marilyn was on location to film River of No Return. Due to a broken ankle, Marilyn was unable to film, giving Vachon days of access for his Look piece. The result is a stunning portfolio of images her fans will adore - Marilyn on crutches by the poolside, on a ski lift and many more. My favourites are the ones taken with Joe DiMaggio, especially the one with her cheekily poking out her tongue.

Both of these books are held at Wallsend District Library and can be reserved by either ringing the library on 4985 6680 or on-line via our catalogue.