Wrapping Up Summer Reading and Naming Our Elephant

Wow! What a beautiful summer this has been! I’ve really been enjoying this year’s Summer Reading theme: “One World, Many Stories!” In June I attended the American Library Association conference held in New Orleans. It was my first visit to that vibrant city and I was awed by its energy and perseverance. European, Caribbean and African influences are felt in the food, music and culture of New Orleans. I was also fortunate enough to spend two weeks in Italy in July. Eating, reading and sightseeing through the Tuscan countryside. The heat didn’t even faze me, I was just so happy to be there soaking it all in!

Our summer reading program is winding down this week and next. All our young readers should be sure to come in and suggest a name for our “adopted” elephant! The youth department symbolically adopted an elephant from the World Wildlife Fund. Our adoption helps protect a pygmy elephant in the wild. We have an adorable plush elephant on display and it needs a terrific name! Put your suggestion in the jar in the children’s room and the winning name will be chosen at random on Sept. 1.

Interested in the conservation and preservation of wild animals? Check out these spectacular books:

Can We Save the Tiger? by Martin Jenkins.
This book combines beautiful artwork with accessible text to help us learn about animals in danger. The author also shows that there is hope and that dire situations can be turned around.

Gone Wild: An Endangered Animal Alphabet by David McLimans.
Not your ordinary alphabet book, this title explores endangered animals from the Chinese Alligator to Grevy's Zebra incorporating stunning design and artwork. Also includes further reading and websites for more information.

Almost Gone: The World's Rarest Animals by Steve Jenkins.
I’m a longtime fan of Steve Jenkins. His illustrations are accurate and artistic, inviting the reader to spend time just looking. Like the other books on this list, this title also encourages us to do our part in protecting animals.

You Can't See a Dodo at the Zoo by Fred Ehrlich.
In simple and clear language this book explains why some animals are extinct or endangered. A touch of humor in the illustrations make a heavy topic feel a little lighter without detracting from the seriousness of the topic.

So come on in to the library before Aug. 31 to suggest a name for our elephant and check out our selection of wild animal books!