Ready to Go Book Display: Mythology

Welcome to our series, "Ready to Go! Book Display." Once a month we'll highlight the latest or greatest for every age group that you can promote within your library or order for your collection. This month we are showcasing mythology books in anticipation of the CSLP theme "Imagine Your Story."

Recommendations for Adults:

Mythology by Edith Hamilton (Jul 1942)

A collection of Greek, Roman, and Norse mythology including eight genealogical tables.

The Mythology Book (May 2018)

In this installment to the Big Ideas series, 80 of the world's greatest myths and characters, from Greek gods to Norse heroes, and brought to life through engaging text and bold graphics, getting to the heart of the importance of mythology to different cultures around the globe.

Myths in Minutes by Neil Philip (Nov 2017)

The world's great fables, sagas, and legends dramatically retold.

Circe by Madeline Miller (Apr 2018)

Follows the banished witch daughter of Titans as she hones her powers and interacts with famous mythological beings before a conflict with one of the most vengeful Olympians forces her to choose between the worlds of the gods and mortals.

The Silence of the Girls by Pat Barker (Sep 2018)

Reimagines The Illiad from the perspectives of the captured women living in the Greek camp in the final weeks of the Trojan War.

Recommendations for Teens:

Norse Mythology by Neil Gaiman (Feb 2017)

Presents a rendering the the major Norse pantheon that traces the genesis of the legendary nine worlds and the exploits of its characters, illuminating the characters and natures of iconic figures Odin, Thor, and Loki.

  A Thousand Beginnings and Endings edited by Ellen Oh and Elsie Chapman (Jun 2018)

Fifteen authors of Asian descent reimagine the folklore and mythology of East and South Asia, in short stories ranging from fantasy to science fiction to contemporary, from romance to tales of revenge.

Nobody's Princess by Esther Friesner (Apr 2007)

Determined to fend for herself in a world where only men have real freedom, headstrong Helen, who will be called queen of Sparta and Helen of Troy one day, learns to fight, hunt, and ride horses while disguised as a boy, and goes on an adventure throughout the Mediterranean world.

Lifestyles of Gods & Monsters by Emily Roberson (Oct 2019)

The daughter of a royal family becomes a leading contestant in a near-impossible reality TV competition alongside a gorgeous teammate only to find her ambitions complicated by her constant viewership and a criminalized monster's true nature.

Ithaka by Adele Geras (Jan 2005)

The island of Ithaka is overrun with uncouth suitors demanding that Penelope choose a new husband, as she patiently awaits the return of Odysseus from the Trojan War.

Olympians Series by George O'Connor

Retells in graphic novel format the stories from Greek mythology about the exploits of the young Zeus; Athena, goddess of wisdom; the heroes who sought and won Hera's patronage; Hades and Persephone; Poseidon, god of the seas; Aphrodite and more.

Recommendations for Kids: 

Myths and Legends of the World by Alli Brydon (Oct 2019)

Retells twenty-one myths and legends from around the world, including tales featuring gods and goddess, talking fish, and clever spiders.

Everything Mythology by B.A. Hoena and Adrienne Mayor (Mar 2014)

Introduces children to the gods of ancient worlds, including Greek, Norse, Chinese, American Indian, African cultures and more.

Race to the Sun by Rebecca Roanhorse (Jan 2020)

Guided by her Navajo ancestors, seventh-grader Nizhoni Begay discovers she is descended from a holy woman and destined to become a monsterslayer, starting with the evil businessman who kidnapped her father.

Aru Shah and the End of Time by Roshani Chokshi (Mar 2018)

Twelve-year-old Aru stretches the truth to fit in at her private school, but when she is dared to prove an ancient lamp is cursed, she inadvertently frees an ancient demon.

The Red Pyramid by Rick Riordan (May 2010)

After their father's research experiment at the British Museum unleashes the Egyptian god Set, Carter and Sadie Kane embark on a dangerous journey across the globe - a quest which brings them ever closer to the truth about their family, and their links to a secret order that has existed since the time of the pharaohs.
 

Good Job, Athena! by Joan Holub (Mar 2016)

Athena can tie a bow better than anyone, but when Arachne tries to take credit for Athena's work, she is forced to admit that it was Athena who tied her bows.

Ready to Go Book Display: Online Displays

In order to help librarians during the COVID-19 epidemic, I've decided to forgo the monthly Ready to Go Book Display and instead share with you some tips on online displays.

Tips and Tricks:

• Graphics are important to an online display because it's easy to scroll pass a chunk of text. I love using Canva.com to create graphics. Check out some of our past posts on using Canva for your library: 5 Secret Tricks to Using Canva Like a Pro, Canva Update 2017, and Quick Canva Tutorial.

• Highlight your collection. Right now it's especially important to highlight your digital collection that more people will be open to trying.

• Use a template. It's fast and easy to change the color background of a template and insert a new image.

• Use what you can. Many services offer premade social media graphics that you can use. Hoopla makes great banners that I add to my graphics.

• Link to your resources. Make it easy for your patrons to access what you are promoting quickly and easily.

• Add your logo so that people can identify your library.

• Do the best you can! We are living in a world of uncertainty - try not to be too hard on yourself.

Ready to Go Book Display: Fairy Tale Retellings

Welcome to our series, "Ready to Go! Book Display." Once a month we'll highlight the latest or greatest for every age group that you can promote within your library or order for your collection. This month we are showcasing books fairy tale retellings in anticipation of the CSLP theme "Imagine Your Story."

Recommendations for Adults:

Mirror, Mirror by Gregory Maguire (Oct 2013)

A retelling of "Snow White" set in Renaissance Italy draws a link between the original fairy tale and the Borgia family's infamous practice of poisoning its enemies.

White Beauty Slept by Elizabeth Blackwell (Jun 2014)

A Gothic retelling of the real story behind the legend of Sleeping Beauty.

The Beast's Heart by Leife Shallcross (Feb 2019)

A retelling of Beauty and the Beast set in the 17th century France in which Beast struggles to come to terms with his horrid behavior as a man, his years of savagery, and his hope of redemption.

Cursed: An Anthology of Dark Fairy Tales (Mar 2020)

An anthology of unique twists on the fairy tale conceit of the curse, from the traditional to the modern - giving us brand new mythologies as well as new approaches to well-loved fables.

Boy, Snow, Bird by Helen Oyeyemi (Mar 2014)

A reimagining of the Snow White story recast as a story of family secrets, race, beauty, and vanity set in the United States during the 1950s and 1960s.

The Sisters Grimm by Menna Van Praag (Mar 2020)
Searching for each other after years of separation, five half-sisters, the daughters of a demon who would corrupt humanity, use their elemental powers to prepare for a gladiatorial match against their father's soldiers.


Recommendations for Teens:

Poisoned Apples: Poems for You, My Pretty by Christine Heppermann (Sep 2014)

Free-verse poems juxtapose fairy tale elements against the life of a teen and explore the cruelty of judgment, pressure, and self-doubt while reflecting on how girls are taught to think about themselves, their friends, and their bodies.

Princess of the Midnight Ball by Jessica Day George (Jan 2009)

A retelling of the tale of twelve princesses who wear out their shoes dancing every night, and of Galen, a former soldier now working in the king's gardens, who follows them in hopes of breaking the curse.

Briar Rose by Jane Yolen (Nov 2019)

A powerful retelling of the fairy tale Sleeping Beauty set during the Holocaust.

Thorn by Intisar Khanani (Mar 2020)

A fantasy retelling of the "Goose Girl" fairy tale follows the experiences of a betrothed princess who is robbed of her identity by a mysterious sorceress before a threat against her betrothed prince compels her to make a dangerous choice.

Cinder by Marissa Meyer (Jan 2012)

As plague ravages the overcrowded Earth, observed by a ruthless lunar people, Cinder, a gifted mechanic and cyborg, becomes involved with handsome Prince Kai and must uncover secrets about her past in order to protect the world in this futuristic take on the Cinderella story.

Recommendations for Children:

Beauty and the Beast: 3 Beloved Tales by Cari Meister (Aug 2016)

Retells the classic French fairy tale of the enchanted beast, and the maiden whose love rescues him, together with two similar tales from China and Switzerland.

The Mermaid by Jan Brett (Aug 2017)

Set in the ocean off Japan, this retelling of Goldilocks and the Three Bears stars Kiniro, a mermaid, who finds a baby octopus's breakfast, chair and bed just right.

Really, Rapunzel Needed a Haircut!: The Story of Rapunzel, As Told by Dame Gothel by Jessica Gunderson (Aug 2013)

Introduces the concept of point of view through Dame Gothel's retelling of the classic fairy tale "Rapunzel".

Leaping Beauty: And Other Animal Fairy Tales by Gregory Maguire (Aug 2004)

The author wreaks havoc on eight classic fairy tales, with a cast of characters including a dancing frog, a gorilla queen, and seven giant giraffes.

Princess Princess Ever After by Katie O'Neill (Sep 2016)

When the heroic princess Amira rescues the kind-hearted princess Sadie from her tower prison, the two band together to defeat a jealous sorceress with a dire grudge against Sadie.

Reading Beauty by Deborah Underwood (Sep 2019)

A lively fairy tale set in the universe of Interstellar Cinderella, find space princess Lex embarking on a quest to break a curse that has removed all the books from her kingdom.

A Tale Dark & Grimm by Adam Gidwitz (Oct 2010)

If you think of fairy tales as nice, pretty little stories to bore children to sleep with, this book will make you think again.

The Fairy-Tale Detectives by Michael Buckley (Oct 2005)

Taken out of foster care by a woman who claims to be their grandmother, orphans Sabrina and Daphne Grimm are whisked away to Ferryport Landing, New York. There they learn that their ancestors, the famous Brothers Grimm, wrote not make-believe stories, but the histories of the Everafters - fairy-tale characters.

Developing a Sensory Storytime for Your Library

We at Five Minute Librarian are thrilled to introduce guest-blogger Erin Collier-Plummer, Youth Services Librarian with the Seminole County (FL) Public Library. Ms. Collier-Plummer has been planning and presenting Sensory Storytimes in her library, and has graciously allows us to share her experience with you. All words below are her own.

Getting Started

Erin Collier-Plummer presents a book at Sensory Storytime.

When I arrived at the Seminole County Library system, I learned that there were only two Sensory Storytimes here, and both were located at different branches. Moreover, the branches alternated months, so interested families would have to travel between the two branches (which are not very close together) in order to attend on a monthly basis. While our Central branch houses an entire Sensory Lab (for which they won both a grant and a state library award), I felt it important to have something similar, albeit smaller and able to be contained on one library cart dedicated for this purpose. 

Resources for parents are available.

Being a librarian that works primarily with youth, as well as a mother of a child on the autistic spectrum, I sought to create a program at my own branch that would run monthly and would serve both neurodiverse and neurotypical families. To this end, I decided to learn what I could from a professional standpoint about how to develop my own Sensory Storytime. Fortunately, I found the book Programming For Children and Teens With Autism Spectrum Disorder by Barbara Klipper. Armed with the recommendations in this book and my own experience with the types of activities that had helped my son in occupational therapy, I went to work pulling together information. I also reached out to local organizations for resources and advice on what to incorporate. [Some of these resources are made available to caregivers at each Sensory Storytime]

I chose Wednesday morning to hold the storytime, since I knew many of the families in my community were interested in a more hands-on, tactile experience than I could provide at my other storytimes. My first session was held late last year, and there has been some tweaking to the format since to accommodate new ideas. Overall, I am very pleased with the way this program has evolved, and I cherish the families that attend and provide very positive feedback regarding the experience. Perhaps my favorite feedback moment was from a family who told me how welcomed they felt and how engaged her child was throughout, which she stressed was a rare thing.

What to Do

Some of the techniques I incorporate come directly from Ms. Klipper’s book, while others were based on other feedback and my own research regarding the sensory needs of children. I’m including some of the tools I’ve found most helpful:

Interactive books are always a big hit

• Social story: I outline, in graphical format, how the storytime will proceed. Some children on the spectrum, for instance, need structure and find transitions a challenge. The social story gives them a heads-up about what to expect.
• “Wiggle” or “bumpy” seats: these provide sensory stimulation and allow the kids to move a bit while still sitting. 
• “Quiet” fidget toys: I use sensory beads enclosed in a plastic cover, but theraputty would work well, too. 
• Sensory balls: I do an activity where I roll a sensory ball to each child and ask them (or their caregiver) their name, then state, “Hello, [name]” as they roll the ball back to me. This activity provides a wonderful opportunity to help everyone get more comfortable while helping to work on core muscle strength and gross motor skills. 
• Scarves and shakers provide an opportunity to move, stretch, and sing. Everyone gets scarves and shakers, even babies and adults!
• Interactive books: stories that allow kids to make noises, move, etc. are always a hit. 
• Action rhymes and songs about activities of daily living: washing body parts and brushing teeth (such as singing Raffi’s “Brush Your Teeth”) are some of my favorites, but I’m always on the lookout for new ideas.
• Activity tables: since I don’t have access to a separate room, I have commandeered a library cart and stock it with my supplies. Some of the activities I do every month include hiding plastic toys in plastic bins of kinetic sand and water marbles and allowing the kids to dig through them to find the “treasures”. These are always a huge hit, providing tactile/sensory stimulation and a lot of fun! Other activities include finger painting, gluten-free play dough, and a tissue paper craft that helps children practice their fine motor skills.
• Mats for de-stimulation: I have small gym mats placed in a quieter corner of the room for kids who need it. 

Textured mats make drawing even more fun

Overall

Attendance has been wonderful, and I am looking to possibly expand this program to twice monthly, as scheduling permits. There is clearly a need for this type of program in my community. As a parent, I wanted to create a storytime my own child could have joyfully attended, since traditional storytimes in my area at the time were not designed to be inclusive. The program I’ve come up with is not ideal, and I am not an authority by any means. But libraries are for everyone, and we need to make sure all our children feel welcome and included!

About That Librarian-In-Residence Thing

This week, Reese Witherspoon's book club, which is in conjunction with her media company Hello Sunshine, put out a call for a librarian-in-residence. People have mixed feelings about this opportunity. Some people are REALLY EXCITED about it, and others are very frustrated.

While on the surface, it seems great, we thought we should take a closer look at this. There is already a pretty comprehensive article written on BookRiot, and Library Twitter has plenty of opinions, but we thought we'd share our thoughts anyway.

The Bad

1. Lack of Information. Though the ad has now been updated, when it was first posted, there was no mention of salary, hours, benefits, etc. In addition, the title "Librarian-In-Residence" implies that you would have to live in Los Angeles, which means it would only really be open to a select few. The updated ad says that this is a part-time, paid position, and you wouldn't have to live in L.A. Some travel is required, which would also be paid for. This doesn't really answer all the questions, though; how much travel is required? Is this something a librarian can do on top of their full-time job? We really don't know.
2. Wait, a Librarian Is What Now? It seems that the term "librarian" is being used to mean "a person who likes books a lot." This is ... not correct. As we know, many of us got a Master's Degree to have the title of "Librarian," and to see it given away to just anyone raises our hackles a bit. According to the actress, "the word 'Librarian' encompasses all types of interests and educations," and that is just not true. It's hard enough to have people think that we're not volunteers when we're full-time employees; please don't add to this. Really, you don't have to be a librarian to do this job. A really good booktuber would be great at it.
3. Dance Moves? In the video Ms. Witherspoon made to advertise this position, she mentioned that great dance moves are important. Many people find this ableist. What if the absolute perfect person for the job has limited mobility? Even those of us who are lucky enough to be able-bodied... well, I can't dance to save my life, but it's never come up in a job interview.
4. It's Too Cute. One of the comments I've read about this is that the whole thing is just too cute. We work so hard to be taken seriously as educated professionals, but here comes this video that makes us seem like, to be A Real Librarian, we have to not only be educated and knowledgeable, but also adorable. Really?
5. It's Not An Application, It's A Contest. As BookRiot explains, this is more of a contest than a job application. You need to look good on camera, and once you submit an entry video, Hello Sunshine can use that video however they wish, with no guaranteed compensation to you.
6. So ... Really, Does It Pay? The ad says that it is as paid, part-time position. It doesn't say how much, and the lack of transparency is an ongoing issue in terms of salary in the library world. 

The Good

1. Honestly, It Sounds Like Fun. The person who gets this position will get to "collect and catalog resources, talk about our book picks with Reese, speak directly with our authors, and have fun and entertaining conversations with our community." A worldwide book club! HOW COOL! It really does sound awesome.
2. You Get To Talk To Celebrities. I'm going to be totally honest here. The thought of being friends with Reese Witherspoon is pretty cool, but what I would really geek out about is the opportunity to talk to authors about the books they wrote, maybe get the inside scoop on details that ended up getting cut in editing. 
3. A Little Extra Income. While the ad doesn't say how much the job pays, many of us are drowning under student loan payments and the general cost of living life in 2020. Especially for those of us with Etsy shops or barista jobs on the side, an extra paycheck doing something we love would be pretty nice. 
4. Free Travel. I mean... how fun! 

Our Thoughts

Look, if this sounds like a good opportunity for you - why not apply? Take these things into consideration, but if you go into this with your eyes open and you still are interested, then go for it. This job sounds like a really great opportunity for someone, and I hope that Hello Sunshine finds the perfect person for the role.

Ms. Witherspoon, if you're reading this (which I know is extremely unlikely), we here at 5 Minute Librarian love you and would welcome the chance to educate you about the field of librarianship. We're a very dedicated profession, and you should drop into your local library and take a tour! 

And please consider hiring a degreed librarian.

Ready to Go Book Display: Australia

Welcome to our series, "Ready to Go! Book Display." Once a month we'll highlight the latest or greatest for every age group that you can promote within your library or order for your collection. This month we are showcasing books that feature Australia. 

Adult Recommendations:

The Light Between the Oceans by M.L. Stedman (Jul 2012)

After moving with his wife to an isolated Australian lighthouse where they suffer miscarriages and a stillbirth, Tom allows his wife to claim an infant that has washed up on the shore, a decision with devastating consequences.

The Rosie Project by Graeme Simsion (Jan 2013)

A socially awkward genetics professor who has never been on a second date sets out to find the perfect wife, but instead finds Rosie Jarman, a fiercely independent barmaid who is on a quest to find her biological father.

Growing Up Aboriginal in Australia by Anita Heiss (Apr 2018)

What is it like to grow up Aboriginal in Australia? This anthology showcases many diverse voices, experiences and stories in order to answer that question.

Bittersweet by Colleen McCullough (Jan 2013)

A story of two sets of twins - all trained as nurses but each with her own ambitions - stepping into womanhood in the 1920s and 30s Australia.

Growing Up Queer in Australia by Benjamin Law (Jan 2019)

Compiled by celebrated author and journalist Benjamin Law, the book assembles voices from across the spectrum of LGBTIQA+ identity. Spanning diverse places, eras, ethnicities and experiences, these are the stories of growing up queer in Australia.

Teen Recommendations:

Jasper Jones by Craig Silvey (Apr 2011)

In small-town Australia, teens Jasper and Charlie form an unlikely friendship when one asks the other to help him cover up a murder until they can prove who is responsible. 

Wildlife by Fiona Wood (Sep 2014)

Two sixteen-year-old girls in Australia come together at an outdoor semester of school, before university - one thinking about boys and growing up, the other about death and grief, but somehow they must help each other to find themselves.

Children's Recommendations:

Escape to Australia by James Patterson and Martin Chatterton (Mar 2017)

The trip to Australia Rafe has won starts badly, but after connecting with a group of misfits he finds a way to do what he does best - create mayhem.

Does a Kangaroo Have a Mother, Too? by Eric Carle (Apr 2000)

Presents the names of animal babies, parents, and groups, for example, a baby kangaroo is a joey, its mother is a flyer, its father is a boom, and a group of kangaroos is a troop, mob, or herd.

The Australia Survival Guide by George Ivanoff (Feb 2020)

This book will help you by providing the knowledge you need to survive in all kinds of Aussie conditions - in the bush, in the desert, or even at the beach!

Bob by Wendy Mass & Rebecca Stead (May 2018)

Visiting her grandmother in Australia, Livy, ten, is reminded of the promise she made five years before to Bob, a strange, green creature who cannot recall who or what he is.

Pie in the Sky by Remy Lai (May 2019)

Knowing very little English, eleven-year-old Jingwen feels like an alien when his family immigrates to Australia, but copes with loneliness and the loss of his father by baking elaborate cakes.

Don't Call Me Bear! by Aaron Blabey (Sep 2019)

Warren the Koala is cute, furry, maybe a bit of a grump, but he is NOT a bear!

Emu by Claire Saxby (Apr 2015)

Protecting his chicks according to the instincts of all emu fathers, an emu in Australia's eucalyptus forest watches over his growing hatchlings as the outmaneuver regional dangers, in an illustrated introduction to the emu life cycle.

One Very Tired Wombat by Renee Treml (Sep 2012)

A tired wombat has trouble falling asleep when penguins, magpies, kookaburras, and other birds native to Australia disturb his peace and quiet.