Giraffes, and Turtles, and Impalas, Oh My!

When I was younger, I loved checking out Zoobooks from the library (in case you're wondering, we do still have them -- they're in the Youth department!).  The glossy pages and the colorful photographs of animals interspersed with fast facts and text was the perfect combination to engage my inquisitive mind.  We've recently added a reference book in the Adult department that has that same feel -- lots of pictures and quick information on just about every animal imaginable, from weevils to whale sharks.  It's called Animal and though it can't be taken from the library, feel free to stop by and take a look -- you might even learn something, like what a Tucuxi is.  HM

Knowledge is Power

You may have stopped by the Library and seen the beautiful reference books we have on display.  The book that started it all is Anatomica: The Complete Home Medical Reference Book.  Visually appealing, you can find illustrations on everything from “Infection: viral replication” to the illustrations of the brain.  Sounds strange I know, but you won’t be able to tear yourself away from browsing this book.  New to the collection is the revised and updated Michigan Trees: A Guide to the Trees of the Great Lakes Region.  If you come across a tree in Michigan you can refer to this book, which has illustrations of leaves, twigs, flowers and shoots and nuts.  Notes are sprinkled throughout.  For example did you know that hickories belong to the same family as walnuts?  Next on my list of visually appealing reference books is anything published by Dorling Kindersley, aka DK.  Stop by and check out their Smithsonian series of reference books, such as Earth or Animal.  For fun see if you can locate the pink-tailed skink (hint: an adorable little reptile).  SG

"Everyone Has the Right to Enjoy It"

For anyone who has visited the Louvre, for those who would like to, and for art lovers everywhere The Louvre: All the Paintings is the must-see reference book at the Library. This catalog of paintings on display at the Louvre (over 3,000 in all) is priceless and will give hours of enjoyment. This book includes essays on each school of art represented in the book (Italian, North, French, and Spanish) and commentary by art historians on over 400 pieces. For anyone who has ever looked at a painting and wondered "what is that all about?" the commentaries will facsinate you as they talk about the artist, symbolism and historical significance. Just as you can't see everything in the Louvre in one visit, plan on visiting this book over and over again. SG

New Resource Available

Reference USA is an excellent source of information that's now available for you to use in the library and at home. It has two categories--similar to the white pages and yellow pages of the phone book--with listings for residences and businesses that include lots of detailed information and great advanced searching options.