Two Articles About Perrot in the Greenwich Citizen

The Greenwich Citizen ran two articles about Perrot recently. One article profiled Perrot's Young Critics' Club (YCC) [http://www.greenwichcitizen.com/localnews/ci_13674114] and a second article remembered Mrs. Mac's "Hag of Old Greenwich" and talked about this year's Nightmares show [http://www.greenwichcitizen.com/localnews/ci_13678187].

Terrible Tales from... NIGHTMARES

Excerpts from our evening of fear, on October 26th, 2009...

Scary Stories

I just attended a wonderful reading of Washington Irving’s “The Legend of Sleepy Hollow.” It took place at the Old Dutch Church in Sleepy Hollow, where else? It was lit by candlelight only, with the narrator telling the story in a way that was fascinating, funny and spellbinding. What more could you ask for? I skipped going into the cemetery after the reading. This seems like the perfect time to catch up on some older, scary stories– not just for Halloween, but for the fall, with the dark descending on us earlier each evening. We have some books on the table in the Rand Room and have short story collections on the second floor.

-Linda

Youth Services Drawing Contest!-- Win IMAX Tickets

Youth Services has a special drawing contest going on now! Pick up an entry form at the Youth Services Desk, and draw us your version of a "wild thing." The creators of our five favorite drawings will win each win two tickets to the IMAX theater at the Maritime Aquarium, to see their choice of Where the Wild Things Are or Cloudy With a Chance of Meatballs! The contest is open through Friday, November 13th, 2009.

We can't wait to see your creations!

National Book Award Finalists 2009

The National Book Awards present the best in four genres of published works: Fiction, Nonfiction, Poetry, and Young People’s Literature. They recognize the best in literature, from both emerging and established writers.

The National Book Awards finalists were announced on October 14th, 2009 and are as follows:

For Fiction:
American Salvage, by Bonnie Jo Campbell
Let the Great World Spin, by Colum McCann
In Other Rooms, Other Wonders, by Daniyal Mueenuddin
Lark and Termite, by Jayne Anne Phillips
Far North, by Marcel Theroux

For Non-Fiction:
Following the Water: A Hydromancer’s Notebook, by David M. Carroll
Remarkable Creatures: Epic Adventures in the Search for the Origin of the Species, by Sean B. Carroll
Fordlandia: The Rise and Fall of Henry Ford’s Forgotten Jungle City, by Greg Grandin
The Poison King: The Life and Legend of Mithradates, Rome’s Deadliest Enemy, by Adrienne Mayor
The First Tycoon: The Epic Life of Cornelius Vanderbilt, by T.J. Stiles

In addition, there are finalists in Poetry and Young People’s Literature categories. A special award to acknowledge a distinguished contribution to American Letters will name Gore Vidal as its recipient. A Literarian award will go to Dave Eggers. The winners in each of the categories will be announced at the 60th National Book Awards Benefit Dinner on November 18th, 2009.

-The Reference Librarians

Perrot Is on AOL Instant Messenger

Perrot is now available to answer your reference and circulation questions via AOL Instant Messenger. Our screen names are AskPerrot (for reference questions), AskPerrotCirc (for questions about your library account), and AskPerrotYS (for questions about your library account or children's programs).

If you don't use AOL IM, you can still chat with us live via Meebo on our website: http://www.perrotlibrary.org/askperrot.html

DVD Diva: Joan Crawford

Joan Crawford wanted a career in show business because it was much more glamorous than the odd jobs she was working. She won a dance contest which landed her a job in a chorus line. After two years, she moved to the movie colony of Hollywood. She felt movies might afford her a chance of fame and glory. She was determined to succeed and succeed she did.

One of my favorite Joan Crawford movies is Mildred Pierce. After her cheating husband leaves her, Crawford's character proves she can become independent and successful, but she still can't win the approval of her spoiled daughter.

In The Women, released in 1939, Crawford plays the ruthless and husband-stealing Crystal Allen. The movie also stars Rosalind Russell and Norma Shearer. This movie has been remade several times, most recently in 2008 with Meg Ryan and Annette Bening.

Also available at Perrot is The Joan Crawford Collection Volume 2, which includes A Woman's Face, Flamingo Road, Sadie McKee, Strange Cargo, and Torch Song.

--The DVD Diva

Event Reminder: Mary Ann Hoberman

The National Children's Poet Laureate, Mary Ann Hoberman, will give a talk at Perrot tomorrow, Wednesday, October 14th, 2009, at 7:30 P.M. in the children's wing. She will speak about the importance of poetry in children's lives. (Although the talk will be aimed at adults, children are welcome to attend.)

2nd Annual Greenwich Awesome Tree Contest

The Greenwich Tree Conservancy and the Town of Greenwich are sponsoring the second annual "Awesome Tree Contest"!

Residents can nominate their favorite tree in the following categories:

• Best Climbing Tree
• Favorite Shade Tree
• Best Wildlife Tree (please describe what wildlife lives in the tree)
• Favorite Park or School Tree
• The Fattest Tree

Entries are due on Friday, October 16th, 2009, and prizes will be awarded at a celebration at the Garden Education Center on Sunday, November 15th, 2009. Join in the fun and take the kids, grandparents and the whole family out for a fall walk in search of the most Awesome Trees in Greenwich. Perhaps the winner is right in your own yard!

Entry forms are available in the Library, or online at http://www.greenwichtreeconservancy.org/

Photos from Critter Caravan's visit

Kathryn of Critter Caravan visited our Stuff and Nonsense and Spotlight program participants on September 30th.

She brought a bunch of neat animals, told us all about where they're from, what they eat, and how they live... and then EVERYBODY got to touch them and see them close up! See all the fun we had here.

Perrot's Got Kindles

Perrot now has two Kindle readers-- one that can be borrowed (loaded with fiction), and one to enjoy in the Library (loaded with a variety of newspapers).

Come see the Kindle DX at the Reference Desk. It’s loaded with news from around the nation and the world: The New York Times, The Time (London), The Irish Times, The Washington Post, and more. All you need is your driver's license to check it out for in-library use.

Mr. Miody and his dahlias

(click to view a larger version)

Pictured next to two of his amazing Double A dahlias is Stanley Miody, a frequent patron of the Perrot Library. Mr. Miody was kind enough to bring these fresh cut dalias, picked from his garden, to brighten up our front desk. He was a pilot in WWII, and has been married to his wife, Claire, for 65 years.

Author Tracy Kidder: Two Books, One Night

New York Times best-selling author Tracy Kidder will discuss his books, Mountains Beyond Mountains and Strength in What Remains, on Thursday, November 5th, 2009, at 7 P.M. at the First Congregational Church of Old Greenwich. The author will sign books at 6:30 P.M., and a reception will follow the talk at 8 P.M. in Perrot's children's wing.

Please arrive early for Mr. Kidder's talk, as seating is limited.

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For those of you who loved Mountains Beyond Mountains, and ran to the book store for Tracy Kidder's new book Strength in What Remains, the author will be sharing his experience of writing about two incredible men.

Mountains Beyond Mountains
In medical school, Paul Farmer found his life’s calling: to cure infectious diseases and to bring the lifesaving tools of modern medicine to those who need them most. Kidder’s magnificent account takes us from Harvard to Haiti, Peru, Cuba, and Russia as Farmer changes minds and practices through his dedication to the philosophy that “the only real nation is humanity.” At the heart of this book, is the example of a life based on hope and on an understanding of the truth of the Haitian proverb “Beyond mountains there are mountains"—as you solve one problem, another problem presents itself, and so you go on and try to solve that one too.

Strength in What Remains
Kidder once again delivers the masterful story of a hero for these modern times. Deo grew up in the mountains of Burundi, and survived a civil war and genocide before seeking a new life in America. In New York City he lived homeless in Central Park before finding his way to Columbia University. But Deo’s story really begins with his will to turn his life into something truly remarkable; he returns to his native country to help people there, as well as people in the United States.

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Please visit Tracy Kidder's website for more information about the other and his books: http://www.tracykidder.com/

Book Recommendation: Stitches

Stitches: A Memoir, by David Small
741.5973 SMALL





Award-winning children's book illustrator David Small (Imogene's Antlers, So You Want to Be President?) recounts his nightmarish childhood in this amazing and disturbing memoir, which takes the form of a graphic novel. The text and illustrations are spare, but so evocative. You will be inspired by Small's escape from his repressive and angry household, as well as by his growth into a successful and talented adult. This book is not for the faint of heart, but is most definitely a rewarding read.

-Vicky

Children's Poet Laureate Mary Ann Hoberman to Speak at Perrot

Perrot is pleased to host the national Children's Poet Laureate, Mary Ann Hoberman, on Wednesday, October 14th, 2009, at 7:30 P.M. She will speak about the importance of poetry in children's lives.

Mary Ann Hoberman has written many children's books and won a number of awards, including the National Book Award for Children's Literature.

In Hoberman's own words:

“I have always loved language and particularly language as manifested in poetry. From as far back as I can remember, I was making up little songs and stories and verses for my younger brother, my dolls, and most particularly for myself. And from my earliest childhood I knew I wanted to be a writer.But it was only when I had children of my own that my desire found a focus in writing poetry for children. This is the vocation that allows me to bring together everything that delights me about language-- rhyme, rhythm, repetition, word play-- and to pass it along to new generations of children. I'm now an old woman but the children are always young!”

For more information please visit Mary Ann Hoberman's website at:
http://www.maryannhoberman.com/