APRIL BOOKMARKS
We Can All Be Grassroots Heroes…..
Thursday April 22nd marks the 40th anniversary of Earth Day, and the birth of the modern environmental movement. More than six million Canadians will join one billion people, worldwide, in celebrating the importance of the environment around us and committing to address the local environmental issues which face us.
Curiosity House is committed to green living. We reuse and recycle and wherever possible, we use low energy fluorescent bulbs . Our shopping bags are made of recycled paper and we routinely offer our customers the option of “going bagless”. We support the David Suzuki Foundation Book Club in its attempt to give citizens an opportunity to take part in a meaningful discussion about sustainability and we provide a 10% discount for all books which are part of the David Suzuki Book Club reading guide.
In 1970, the first Earth Day celebration was successful because of the spontaneous response at the grassroots level. This Spring, let’s join together and show that same grassroots energy and enthusiasm is still flourishing. We can make a difference to our world, one action at a time.
M Vince, Editor
What’s On In April
Saturday April 3, 2:00 to 4:00 pm
Artist’s Opening Reception
In The Gallery: Sue Belcher
Sue Belcher is a professional artist who has taught at the Blue Mountain Foundation for the Arts and Georgian College. She paints large Canadian landscapes which are expressionistic and energetic, relying on her memory rather than photos to inform the content of the painting she creates. Still life and portraiture are also a part of her portfolio and she is a member of The Portrait Society of Canada. Curiosity House is pleased to welcome Sue to the gallery for the month of April. Come to the opening reception on Saturday April 3, from 2:00 to 4:00 pm and take an opportunity to meet this talented artist.
Saturday April 10, 10:30 to 11:15 am
Monthly Story Hour
Miriam will be leading our monthly Story Hour from 10:30 to 11:15 am. Children from 18 months to 6 years of age will have the opportunity to listen to captivating stories, share the love of reading and complete a small craft activity.
Inspired Gardening
(Reviewed by Catherine Randall)
With the early arrival of spring-like weather this year everyone is itching to get to work in the garden, but we know it is too early! An alternative is to begin planning and reading some of the new gardening books. Here are a few that have caught my eye.
Grow Great Grub by Gayla Trail, TP, $24.99 is a “how to” grow organic food in small spaces. Many colour photos of containers, small backyard plots and half the book devoted to vegetable types, planting, growing and harvesting and even some recipes.
Finally, for all gardeners or want-to-be gardeners The Gin & Tonic Gardener by Janice Wells, TP, $17.95. The sub-title says it all, Confessions of a Compulsive Gardener. These are very short, humorous essays illustrated by pen and ink sketches. Anyone would enjoy this little book from the expert to the novice. It is a good book to read BEFORE you plan all those extra beds or rush out to buy many packets of seeds or flats of plants. Here’s to a happy spring and enjoyable gardening!
Great Kids Titles for Spring
(Reviewed by Miriam Vince)
Here are a few of the great new titles for children and young adults which should be in the store by the end of April:
For kids from birth to 6 years, we have Perfect Piggies ($8.95, board book) from Sandra Boynton. Told with the usual Boynton whimsy and enthusiasm, this wonderful book is a celebration of the simple pleasures of life and the special importance of each of us. Children who enjoyed the adventures of Chester, the overconfident cat, will love Chester’s Masterpiece. In this third Chester book we find our favourite feline author, determined to create his own book without any help from anyone. Author Melanie Watt gives us lots for hilarious fun with a strong message that writing a children’s book isn’t as easy as we might think. This book is sure to be a great addition to every kid’s library ($18.95, hardcover). Finally, we have Fancy Nancy: Poet Extraordinare ($14.99, hardcover), a new Fancy Nancy title complete with Nancy’s very own poetry anthology,which shows how a true love of words can be tres fancy!
For kids aged 7 to 10, who have been waiting for a new Wimpy Kid title from author Jeff Smith, Diary of The Wimpy Kid Movie Diary ($16.99, hardcover) gives a behind the scenes peek at the making of the recently released movie and shares secrets and information about the film industry and the challenges of adapting a bestselling book for the big screen. The Emperor’s Code is the eighth book in the Thirty-Nine Clues series, due to be released in April. Amy and Dan Cahill will continue their adventures as they find themselves separated for the first time and face the agonizing choice of finding the next clue or finding their way back to each other. Geronimo Stilton is also back with another adventure. Mighty Mount Kilimanjaro ( $8.99, paperback) finds everyone’s favourite rodent explorer on an extreme adventure – a climb to the top of Mount Kilimanjaro.
Finally, for young people 11 to 14 years of age, Kelley Armstrong is back the long-awaited final installment of the Darkest Powers trilogy, The Reckoning. We also have the first volume in graphic novelization ($22.99, pb) of the blockbuster novel, Twilight, as well as a new installment in the very popular House of Night series. Burned is the unforgettable continuation of Zoey Redbird’s compelling story ($19.99, hardcover).
Curiosity House Supports The David Suzuki Foundation Book Club
The main objective of the David Suzuki Foundation is to protect the diversity of nature and our quality of life. Books can inspire conversation and debate. They can also move people to action that can change the world. With reading guides tailored to each book selection, access to web resources, opportunities to meet like-minded people, online and in your community, this environmentally conscious book club provides its members with a chance to be part of the beginnings of real, positive change. For more information about this inspiring undertaking, go to www.davidsuzuki.org. We’ve posted the reading guide at the store and will be happy to order any titles we don’t have on hand.
Curiosity House Knitting Group
Our Knitting Group meets every Wednesday from 2:00 to 4:00 pm.
We gather around the table to work on our latest projects, inspire, support and help one another. Please call us at 705-466-3400 or email us for more information. We have a growing selection of books which are great choices for knitters of every skill level.
What’s Happening at the Book Club?
Wednesday April 7, 2:00 to 3:00 pm
Easter Hours
Curiosity House will be open each day of the Easter Weekend:
Good Friday, April 2
10am – 5pm
Easter Saturday, April 3
9 am – 5 pm
Easter Sunday, April 4
10 am – 5 pm
10 am to 5 pm
In the Gallery
April to August 2010
Pamella Branch
Opening Reception
Saturday May 1, 2 – 4 pm
June 5 – July 2
Sandi Wong
Opening Reception
Saturday June 5, 2 – 4 pm
July 3 – July 30
Jody Buda
Opening Reception
Saturday July 3, 2 – 4 pm
July 31 – September 3
Johane Landry
Opening Reception
Saturday, July 31, 2 – 4 pm
Quips, Quotes & Trivia
Tis the good reader that makes the good book; in every book he finds passages which seem confidences or asides hidden from all else and unmistakenly meant for his ear; the profit of books is according to the sensibility of the reader; the profoundest thought or passion sleeps as in a mine, until it is discovered by an equal mind and heart.
Ralph Waldo Emerson
Society and Solitude
(1870)
