Newbery and Caldecott awards announced

The 2009 Newbery Medal winner is The Graveyard Book by Neil Gaiman, illustrated by Dave McKean. A reviewer described it as "a delicious mix of murder, fantasy, humor and human longing, the tale of Nobody Owens is told in magical, haunting prose. A child marked for death by an ancient league of assassins escapes into an abandoned graveyard, where he is reared and protected by its spirit denizens."


The 2009 Caldecott Medal winner is The House in the Night, illustrated by Beth Krommes, written by Susan Marie Swanson. A reviewer wrote "[r]ichly detailed black-and-white scratchboard illustrations expand this timeless bedtime verse, offering reassurance to young children that there is always light in the darkness. Krommes' elegant line, illuminated with touches of golden watercolor, evoke the warmth and comfort of home and family, as well as the joys of exploring the wider world."

Cathy Wurzer to visit library!

Speaking at the library tomorrow at 10am as part of the Friends of the Library's Hot Reads program will be Cathy Wurzer, host of Minnesota Public Radio's Morning Edition show. She is the author of Tales of the Road: Highway 61, a companion to a first-of-its-kind documentary film that will air on Twin Cities Public Television later in January. The project uses a little known book, the WPA Road Guide to Minnesota as a thread that follows Highway 61 from Grand Portage to La Crescent, Minnesota. The Road Guide was published in 1938 by a group of unemployed reporters, teachers and preachers as part of the federal government’s Works Progress Administration. The documentary and its companion book follow Highway 61 looking at what the Road Guide says used to be on the route, what still exists, and what has been lost.

New look for the story well

Those of you coming to storyhour next week are in for a bit of a surprise. We are getting new carpeting for the story well. It's part of our effort to make the children's area a brighter, more welcoming place. Please let us know what you think!

Library closed on Monday, January 19

The library will be closed on Martin Luther King, Jr. Day, Monday, January 19.

Winter driving

In conditions this cold, driving becomes much more hazardous. Learn how to prepare yourself and your car with winter driving tips from the Minnesota Department of Transportation and AAA.

Grandparents and grandkids

The book Grandparents: Minnesota Style "has tips for sharing great trips, adventures and outings that will result in memorable, fun and enlightening experiences for [grandparents and their grandchildren]. The authors have selected unique Minnesota places that provide great opportunities for grandparents to share their stories and wisdom. " And for those of you who live across the border, we have Grandparents: Wisconsin Style as well!

Pigeon Party!

Join our children's librarians Pat and Laura this Saturday at 9:00 am for a Pigeon Party! There will be stories, songs, rhymes and a take home craft! The party is intended for preschool through 1st graders, but older brothers and sisters are welcome. It's free and no registration is required!

Hot Reads for Cold Nights

It's time for the annual Hot Reads for Cold Nights program, sponsored by the Friends of the Red Wing Public Library. Register for the program and receive a free gift bag! Fill out read and recommend cards and be entered for prize drawings. Come and listen to any of the Hot Reads author programs at the library. If you have any questions, please give us a call.

Family Story Times

On the first and third Saturdays of the month during Jan. - Mar., library staff will present a special themed story time at 9:00 am including stories, songs, rhymes and a take home craft. Dress up if you like! The story times are designed for preschool through 1st grade but older siblings are welcome! No registration is required. The dates and themes are:

* Jan. 3 Enchanted Story Time
For all princesses, princes, knights, dragons, and fairies

* Jan. 17 Pigeon Party
Stay in your jammies for this one!

* Feb. 7 Home on the Range
Cowboys and cowgirls welcome!

* Feb. 21 Beach Party
Come in your beach clothes and join the fun!

* March 7 Super Heroes
Dress up as your favorite super hero, or invent a new one!

* March 21 Dance Party
Boogie and bop at the library!

Best Books of 2008

Here's our last - and largest - set of links for Best Books of 2008. Enjoy!

Amazon’s Best Books of 2008
The Atlantic’s Books of the Year
Barnes & Noble Best of 2008
AudioFile’s Best Audiobooks of 2008
Bookmarks Magazine Best Books of 2008
Business Week’s Best Business Books of 2008
Entertainment Weekly’s Best and Worst of 2008
Independent Bookstores 2008 Bestsellers
Library Journal Best Books of 2008
London Times Books of the Year
School Library Journal’s Best Books 2008
Seattle Times Best Books of 2008
Slate’s Best Books of 2008
Time’s Best Book of 2008
Wall Street Journal’s Shelf of Standouts 2008
Washington Post’s Best Books of 2008
YALSA Teens Top Ten of 2008