TIPLINE: Skippyjon Jones (and a Happy Birthday to Judith Byron Schachner)!

The Independence Public Library's Interesting Nuggets of Exploration: Skippyjon Jones

Last Saturday was a whole lot of furry fun at the Check The Chip Day. We made pet toys, helped out the Buchanan County Animal Shelter, and met a litter of kittens looking for a good home. Some of them have already been adopted! If you weren't able to stop in on Saturday, try not to be too sad. you can find some great cats and dogs at the library anytime. You might be surprised to find out just how many series star (or co-star) a cat or dog,or a cat that thinks he a dog, like Skippyjon Jones.
Skippyjon Jones is a Siamese kitten who thinks he is a Chihuahua, and the star of a children's book series by Judith Byron Schachner. Today is the author's 64th birthday. If you'd like to give Skippyjon Jones a try, stop in at the IPL and look for the Happy Birthday sign in the picture books. You can also ask at the circulation desk, we're always happy to help.
If Skippyjon Jones doesn't satisfy your cat and dog cravings, give some of these furry friends a try:

You can find Bad Kitty books in
Picture Books and Chapter Books

Charlie The Ranch Dog can be found in
the Picture Books

Chester is hanging out in the
Picture Books

You can read about Ike LaRue
in the Picture Books Section

You can read about Pete The Cat
in the Picture Books

You can find J. J. Tully Mysteries
in the Chapter Books Section

Stretch of the Maxie and Stretch
Series can be found in Adult Fiction

The Cat Who... Series is available
in the Adult Fiction Section

There are many more books (and movies) starring cats dogs and other great pets, stop in at the IPL and explore our shelves. You can also ask us at the circulation desk, we can help you find that furry friend you're looking for.

Happy Birthday Jan Berestain!

Jan Berenstain's birthday is today (July 26th) and she would have been 92 this year. She is best known for the children's books she wrote with her husband (Stan Berenstain) and later her son (Mike Berenstain).

 

The popular Berenstain Bears Books have been a favorite among kids for almost four generations. The first in the series, The Big Honey Hunt, was written and illustrated by Jan and Stan Berenstain in 1962. The husband and wife duo continued to publish nearly 300 books together in the Berenstain Bears series until Stan's passing in 2005. Jan Berenstain then continued the series with the help of her son Mike Berenstain until her passing in 2012. Mike Berenstain now continues the beloved children's series his parents started, with new releases each year.
Celebrate Jan Berenstain's birthday by reading one of her great stories. The IPL has many available to enjoy. What's your favorite Berenstain Bear book?

How's That 5-5-5 Reading Challenge Coming?

So far we have fifty patrons reading toward the May 5th challenge deadline. If you got started on January 1st, you should have about nine books down. If you're a little behind, don't panic there is still plenty of time. In fact, if you started the 5-5-5 Reading Challenge today, you would still have a little over three days for each book to read. Sound impossible? Think again, we've already had one patron complete the challenge. (That's right! 25 books read in under two months!)
So if you still want to get in on the challenge you can sign up online and pick up your challenge log the next time you are at the library, or sign up directly at the library.
And if you're looking for book ideas for that challenge, give Iowa author Carol Gorman a try. Tomorrow is (February 16th) is her birthday. You can find her books in the Young Adult and Junior Fiction sections of the library.

Happy Birthday To Two Great Children's Authors

A big HAPPY BIRTHDAY to Jane Yolen and Mo Willems, who will both be one year older today. Celebrate at the library by checking out one of their many wonderful children's books. Many of you may know Mo Willems from his Elephant & Piggie books, or Jane Yolen from her How Do Dinosaurs series. Of course they both write much more than that, but too much to fit in a tiny blog post, so head to the IPL and discover their fantastic fiction.