An amazing photo awaits the reader in the first pages.  It is a soldier and his dog jumping from an aircraft over the Gulf of Mexico during training.  The Special Forces, such as Navy Seals, are only one branch of the military that uses dogs as members of their teams.  MWD’s are now a part of all the service branches.  With amazing photos and hero stories, this book is of high interest for young people as well as adults.

Dogs have been used as vital partners in the United States war effort since World War I when they served as Red Cross dogs.  They sought out the wounded and brought them aid as well as serving as messenger dogs.  As messenger dogs, they bravely dodged through the trenches to deliver critical information between command posts and the front.  It wasn’t until the Vietnam War, however, that the military realized all the ways a dog’s powerful senses could be used to protect troops from harm.

What breed of dog is best suited for this career?  The Belgian Malinois is a fine athlete, quick to learn and eager to please.  Also favored are the Dutch Shepherd, German Shepherd, and the Labrador Retriever.  However, any type of dog showing promise is welcome to serve.  From the time they are three days old, puppies start training for their very important job.  The intense training that these dogs go through is covered in this book.

A highlight is stories of individual dogs who have served with such heroism and valor; although any dog serving in the military is a hero.  Personally, this book touched me as my own brother served in Vietnam as a dog handler.  Only in the past few years has he been able to tell us of his experiences there, and his great trust and companionship in his lifesaver, his dog.

Lives of the musicians : good times, bad times (and what the neighbors thought)

Lives of the presidents : fame, shame (and what the neighbors thought)

Harvesting Hope: The story of Cesar Chavez

Wilma unlimited : how Wilma Rudolph became the world’s fastest woman

and many more.

In 2011, Kathleen Krull won the Children’s Book Guild of Washington, D.C. Nonfiction Award, an honor presented annually to an author or illustrator whose total body of work has contributed significantly to the quality of nonfiction for children.

Recently, two new titles by Krull were added to our collection.  What Was The March on Washington and What Was the Boston Tea Party are the titles in the What Was… series that we now have available for checkout.  Other titles are What Was the Gold Rush and What Was the Battle of Gettysburg.  At this point, we can get these through interlibrary loan.  What a fun way to learn history! What Was the March on Washington even includes black and white photos taken on that grand day.

Nonfiction books are being written in such an entertaining way that readers barely realizes they are reading a factual book.  So, if you haven’t been in the habit of checking out nonfiction books, give it a try.  I think you will thoroughly enjoy your read!

Monday and Thursday mornings will be Toddler Storytime for 2 year olds at 10:30 am. (only one session each day). Tuesday and Friday mornings will remain Library Storytime aimed at 3 and ups at 10:30 am, with Thursday nights at 7 pm and Sundays at 3:30 pm as well. Books & Babies for 8 to 23 months will be held on Wednesday mornings, two sessions: 9:30 and 10:30 am.

All this will start up the week of February 11th. So plan to join in on the fun. Meanwhile, plan to stop by, stay awhile and enjoy the books, fish, puppets and people. And don’t forget to check out lots of books!! Thank you for your patience and kindness during this huge move. I know that, together, we will make this a memorable time in our city’s already rich history.

As a young child, Booker dreamed of going to school and learning how to read.  As a teenager, he was determined to reach Hampton Institute, a wonderful place of learning for African-Americans.  He did not know where Hampton was located nor how he was going to reach it.  He only knew he had to get there.  And get there he did, walking 500 miles through the mountains of Virginia to the sea with only fifty cents in his pocket.  This is the amazing story of Booker T. Washington who went on to graduate with honors from Hampton Institute, founded Tuskegee Institute, and became a national leader and one of the best known African Americans of his time.  Listed as one of 2012 Best Books on most lists-Kirkus, Amazon, Barnes & Noble, this book is a must read for elementary ages and up.  Enjoy!

Following the sudden death of her husband Carl, Peg turned his workshop into a foster home for rescued cats.  This, along with family, friends and her many beloved animals, helped restore joy and purpose to her life.  Animal lovers, young and old, will enjoy this book.  By the way, Peg Kehret’s book Ghost Dog Secrets is one of Kansas’s William Allen White Award nominees for 2013. Happy reading!