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text sizeAudio Appreciation Month: Recommendations for Children
August is Audio Appreciation Month! Celebrate this event by checking out various audio book and music titles at your library! Here are a few recommendations for children.
* indicates Series
Books on CD
The library has audio book versions of many popular titles shown below in audio compact disc format.
Children's Audio Books
Harry Potter* by J.K. Rowling
One of the most popular fantasy series about a young wizard named Harry Potter. Harry attends the Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry and makes new friends, learns new magic spells and goes on a quest to defeat the dark wizard Lord Voldemort.
The Extraordinary Education of Nicholas Benedict by Trenton Lee Stewart
Nicholas Benedict, an orphan afflicted with physical ailments and narcolepsy, is sent to a new orphanage where he encounters depraved bullies, difficult circumstances, and a mystery that could change his life forever.
39 Clues* by Various Authors
A series of intriguing adventure stories written by today's popular authors such as Rick Riordan, Gordon Korman, Peter Lerangis and more. These audio books will engage readers by combining card collecting, reading and online gaming.
Digital Audio Books
Besides compact disc, you can also download audio books to your digital audio player, including your iPod, smartphone, or home computer via OverDrive Digital Library or OneClickdigital. Using your digital audio player, you can transition or navigate to other chapters of the book without having to change discs. Here are a few recommended digital audio book titles:
Children's Digital Audio Books
Artemis Fowl* by Eoin Colfer
A popular fantasy and action series about a young master criminal named Artemis Fowl. Artemis gradually develops his moral character as he works with the fairies to help defeat enemies and save the world.
The Mysterious Benedict Society* by Trenton Lee Stewart
Reynie Muldoon, an orphaned child with special abilities joins an elite team of four talented children and they become the Mysterious Benedict Society. They soon go on an adventurous journey of espionage to defeat a villain who plans to take over the world.
Percy Jackson and the Olympians* by Rick Riordan
A young boy named Percy Jackson discovers that the legendary Greek Gods still exists and goes on an adventurous quest to prevent a devastating war between the gods.
Music
In addition to audio books, the library also has a substantial collection of new music CDs and downloadable new eAudio and eMusic for all ages! Please see a librarian at your library for more details.
Audio Appreciation Month
August is Audio Appreciation Month! Celebrate this event by checking out various audio book and music titles at your library! Here are a few recommendations for children and teens.
* indicates Series
Books on CD
The library has audio book versions of many popular titles shown below in audio compact disc format.
Children's Audio Books
Harry Potter* by J.K. Rowling
One of the most popular fantasy series about a young wizard named Harry Potter. Harry attends the Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry and makes new friends, learns new magic spells and goes on a quest to defeat the dark wizard Lord Voldemort.
The Chronicles of Narnia* by C.S. Lewis
Another popular fantasy and adventure series about various children exploring the mysterious and mythical world of Narnia.
39 Clues* by Various Authors
A series of intriguing adventure stories written by today's popular authors such as Rick Riordan, Gordon Korman, Peter Lerangis and more. These audio books will engage readers by combining card collecting, reading and online gaming.
Teen Audio Books
The Alchemyst: The Secrets of the Immortal Nicholas Flamel* by Michael Scott
Sophie and Josh are caught up in a deadly struggle between two rival alchemists over the possession of an ancient and powerful book containing the secret formulas for alchemy and everlasting life.
Shiver by Maggie Stiefvater
A moving, paranormal romance story about Grace and a mysterious wolf that often watches her from a nearby distance. Later, Grace discovers a wounded boy near her home and makes a shocking discovery that this boy is that same wolf in human form.
Maximum Ride* by James Patterson
An exciting adventure and science fiction series about six genetically enhanced children being imprisoned in a laboratory. Eventually, a sympathetic scientist helps them escape and they use their special abilities to survive on their own.
Digital Audio Books
Besides compact disc, you can also download audio books to your digital audio player, including your iPod, smartphone, or home computer via OverDrive Digital Library or MyiLibrary. Using your digital audio player, you can transition or navigate to other chapters of the book without having to change discs. Here are a few recommended digital audio book titles:
Children's Digital Audio Books
Artemis Fowl* by Eoin Colfer
A popular fantasy and action series about a young master criminal named Artemis Fowl. Artemis gradually develops his moral character as he works with the fairies to help defeat enemies and save the world.
Percy Jackson and the Olympians* by Rick Riordan
A young boy named Percy Jackson discovers that the legendary Greek Gods still exists and goes on an adventurous quest to prevent a devastating war between the gods.
Teen Digital Audio Books
Hunger Games* by Suzanne Collins
In a post-apocalyptic world, a powerful government called the Capitol selects a boy and a girl from each district to participate in an annual televised event called the "Hunger Games", where they would fight each other to death. However this time, both participants defy the rules and face dire consequences.
Graceling by Kristin Cashore
Katsa, a young warrior lives in a world where some people are born with unique special skills called "Graces". Katsa however has a dreaded skill of killing and in this adventurous story, she goes on a journey of self-discovery and redemption by trying to save her land from a depraved king.
Music
In addition to audio books, the library also has a substantial collection of new music CDs and downloadable new eAudio and eMusic for all ages! Please see a librarian at your library for more details.
Come On and Meet the Elements
Two weeks ago I was watching an episode of "Pushing Daisies" where Kristen Chenowith and Ellen Greene sang a version of a song called "Birdhouse in Your Soul." This song was written and performed 20 years ago by the group They Might Be Giants. Well, I had to look up information about this alternative rock group and found out that not only are they performing music for grownups, but they are also writing and performing music for young ones too. They have produced CDs and DVDs that help young children (and not-so-young children) learn about numbers, the alphabet and even science. They have also performed music for television (Blue's Clues) and movies (Meet the Robinsons and Coraline). I think they are a fun group to listen to. Interested in their music? Come visit us and check out some of the the DVDs and CDs they perform on. View the video below to meet the Elements or watch They Might Be Giants introduce us to the elements.
Serious About Comedy
I have a friend who is just starting out as a stand-up comic. He's got a couple of youtube videos and is always inviting me to come see his routine. I love stand-up comedy, but I've been to a couple of comedy clubs, and I must confess, I don't like the club side of the comedy. I don't want to drink, I just want to hear the jokes.
Luckily for me, at the library we've got a great line-up of comedy CDs that I can listen to. I like doing this on my drive to and from work. Here's some you may also like.
Blue Collar Comedy Tour Rides Again - The Blue Collar Comedy Tour consisted of Jeff Foxworthy (you know you're a redneck...), Larry the Cable Guy, Ron White (they call me 'tater salad) and Bill Engvall (here's your sign). This humor takes me back to my Missouri roots and though sometimes a little offensive, they're always funny.
The Best of Lily Tomlin - if you are of an age with me, then you remember Lily Tomlin's Edith Ann and of course her routines as the phone operator Ernestine...
Something Like This - Bob Newhart. You probably remember him from the two long-running sit-coms he did - the Bob Newhart Show and Newhart - both of which you can watch on Hulu. But Bob Newhart was really one of the funniest stand-up comedians ever! Such witty, dry humor!
There are also plenty of stand-up comedy dvd's available for check out as well...
Robin Williams Live on Broadway - Robin Williams comedy is frenetic and makes me laugh so hard my sides hurt. He's done a lot of dramatic roles in movies but his start was stand-up comedy.
Carlos Mencia: Not for the Easily Offended - Take this title to heart! Carlos Mencia does talk about subjects in a way that might offend some of you. But if you can take a joke and go to the edge of propriety, the results are hilarious. This video was recorded in San José.
So, check it out and laugh a little - or a lot!
Update your Christmas music!
Are you tired of hearing the same old Christmas songs in the same old arrangements? Check out the sounds available at your local library!
All of the libraries have holiday music CDs, such as Christmas Duets by Elvis Presley, Christmas Spirit by Los Lonely Boys, And Winter Came by Enya, and even Christmas with the Chipmunks!
You could also check out DVDs, including All I Want for Christmas is a Real Good Tan by Kenny Chesney, A Christmas Celtic Sojourn, Live, and Luciano Pavarotti Live at Notre-Dame: a Holiday Special.
Finally, get ready for caroling with piano and song books. One of my favorites is Christmas Joy for Piano: Piano Solos, including such favorites as “Jingle Bells”,” Deck the Hall”, and “We Wish You a Merry Christmas”. Another choice, which includes guitar chord symbols, might be Carols for Children. Come check it out at your local library!
Holiday Music Courtesy of the Library!
During December, I am quite content to listen to holiday music all month long. On the radio after a while, the same songs seem to be played over and over and my patience with Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer and Jingle Bell Rock wears thin. Every year I do seem to stumble on a great holiday album that includes new titles I'd never heard or revisions of old classics.
As a child I cherished the Chipmunks album I had! I never grow tired of "Christmas Don't Be Late" from Christmas with the Chipmunks!
When I was in college, Windham Hill came out with the first in a series of New Age holiday albums. A Winter's Solstice is great to play during a holiday party - instrumental versions of holiday favorites. Songs of Joy and Peace by Yo-Yo Ma and Friends is another great album to celebrate the holiday season with Hannukah, Christmas, Kwanzaa and New Year music.
A couple of years ago, a group of dj's who specialize in mashups and remixes came out with a collection called Santastic which they put online for download. Santastic 4 is out now. This is dance music with a holiday twist. Take a listen to Pumping Up Christmas and see if you like holiday mashups!
Maybe you saw the Sting concert on PBS last year - I did and I loved it! The concert featured older songs accompanied by the Lute - some of which I had never heard before! The Library has the CD If On A Winter's Night and the DVD A Winter's Night: Live from the Durham Cathedral.
When I heard Alicia Keys singing "Little Drummer Girl" from Jermaine Dupri presents the Twelve Soulful Nights of Christmas, I got goosebumps!
You can browse through literally hundreds of holiday songs - when you get to Freegal, just type in the word Christmas or Holiday and see what pops up. While was there I also found a Laura Nyro song, "Upstairs By a Chinese Lamp" from her album Christmas and the Beads of Sweat. Remember, you can download 3 songs a week, so I rounded out my trip to Freegal by downloading one of my favorite songs, "The Cherry Tree Carol" as sung by Jose Feliciano from his Feliz Navidad album.
I love acapella music - and I was pretty excited to see that the Library just ordered the Straight No Chaser CD With a Twist. It isn't their Holiday CD - but please, enjoy this video of their version of the "12 Days of Christmas." It is hilarious and might get you in the mood for Holiday music!
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