Noe Valley Voice October 2004
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Books in our Branch

This month's new book list, chosen by Noe Valley librarians Carol Small and Wayne Donica, features humorous essays by David Sedaris, poems by Marianne Moore, and a book about a duck who's running for president. To find out which selections are available, call 355-5707, log onto www.sfpl.org, or visit the Noe Valley­Sally Brunn Library at 451 Jersey Street near Castro Street. Besides books, the branch offers magazines, newspapers, DVDs, music CDs, Internet access, and the archives and index to the Noe Valley Voice. Branch hours are Tuesdays, 10 a.m. to 9 p.m.; Wednesdays, 1 to 9 p.m.; Thursdays, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.; Fridays, 1 to 6 p.m.; and Saturdays, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.

Adult Fiction

- An unstable, disgruntled cop in a small Midwestern town becomes both suspect and potential victim after he discovers the body of a 3-year-old girl dressed as an angel, in Lost Souls by Michael Collins.

- In Mark Haddon's The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time, a 15-year-old autistic boy solves a neighborhood mystery.

Adult Nonfiction

- Dress Your Family in Corduroy and Denim is a collection of humorous essays by David Sedaris.

- In Eats, Shoots & Leaves, author Lynne Truss outlines the zero tolerance approach to correct punctuation.

- The Poems of Marianne Moore, edited by Grace Shulman, is an anthology that includes more than 100 previously unpublished works by the eminent American poet.

- In Who's Pulling Your Strings? How to Break the Cycle of Manipulation and Regain Control of Your Life, author Harriet Braiker describes techniques to deal with problematic people.

- Lundy Bancroft offers comfort and understanding, and suggests concrete plans of action in When Dad Hurts Mom: Helping Your Children Heal the Wounds of Witnessing Abuse.

Children's Fiction

- While performing in San Francisco, two animals miss their home and friends, so they find a way to return to them in Penguin and Little Blue, story by Megan McDonald, illustrated by Katherine Tillotson. Ages 3 to 6.

- Over time, a young dancer experiences an aching back, sore feet, and self-esteem issues, but she overcomes all these obstacles to perform well and enjoy the applause of the audience in Rachel Isadora's Not Just Tutus. Ages 4 and up.

- In a time when the presidential election is so much on our minds, you might welcome the lighter approach to the situation in Duck for President by Doreen Cronin, illustrated by Betsy Lewin. Ages 6 and up.

- If you want to try your hand at solving a whole new set of mysteries with an experienced boy detective, try Donald J. Sobol's Encyclopedia Brown and the Case of the Jumping Frogs. Ages 8 and up.

Children's Nonfiction

- Using the characteristic picture-puzzle format enjoyed by so many children in the I Spy books, Walter Wick takes children on an exciting nighttime journey in Can You See What I See: Dream Machine. Ages 4 and up.

- Presenting simple information about the human body and briefly discussing various forms of active sports and games, Lizzy Rockwell encourages young children to have a healthy lifestyle in The Busy Body Book. Ages 5 and up.

- If you are interested in various topics pertaining to dogs, such as their ears, tails, sense of smell, and relationships with humans and other animals, you can probably find the information in Marty Crisp's book Everything Dog. Ages 6 and up.

- Although told by one of his teachers he "would never get anywhere with art," a young student grows up to be a famous and well-loved author/illustrator in The Boy on Fairfield Street: How Ted Geisel Grew Up to Become Dr. Seuss, by Kathleen Krull. Ages 6 and up.

LIBRARY EVENTS

Stories and Films for Children

- Kids 2 to 5 are invited to attend preschool story time at 10 a.m. on Tuesdays, Oct. 5, 12, and 26. Children 3 to 5 can watch short films at 10 and 11 a.m. on Tuesday, Oct. 19.

Saturday Lapsits

- Share stories, songs, and fingerplays with your baby or toddler at the library's lapsits at 10:30 a.m. on Saturdays, Oct. 16 and 23; come in costume to the Halloween lapsit on Oct. 30.