July-September 2009 Lexicon Newsletter

Exciting Titles New to Lexicon

The first two books in the recent A.D. Series by Bodie and Brock Thoene

The Appeal by John Grisham

Read what John Grisham himself said about his latest release on Amazon.com:

Several Nancy Drew mysteries including:

• The Mystery of the Glowing Eye
• Mystery at the Ski Jump
• The Cule of the Velvet Mask
• The Hidden Window Mystery
• The Haunted Showboat
• The Secret of Mirror Bay
• The Mystery of the Ivory Charm
• The Whispering Statue
• The Haunted Bridge
• And more…

Nights of Rain and Stars by Maeve Binchy

A large collection of John Steinbeck titles* including:

• The Winter of Discontent
• The Moon is Down
• Cannery Row
• Tortilla Flat
• America and Americans
• The Pastures of Heaven
• A God Unknown
• and more

The Heart Has Reasons by Mark Klempner

From Publishers Weekly
Asked why she helped save Jewish children during Germany’s occupation of Holland in WWII while so many others stood by, Clara Dijkstra replies, “The heart has reasons.” Klempner, a folklorist and oral historian, attempts to explore some of those reasons through interviews with 10 Dutch resisters who rescued Jews from the Nazis. Each of the chapters includes a short introduction, a first-person narrative from the rescuer, followed by a question and answer format and historical information.

A copy of his  book has been generously donated to us by Mark and his family, who are members of Lexicon.

We hope that many of you will get the opportunity to check this out.

*Thank you to Sidney Glazer for arranging for the Steinbeck titles to be given to us.

April-June 2009 Lexicon Newsletter

Lexicon News and Announcements

†Harvest Vineyard Fellowship

Harvest Vineyard would like to welcome all to Sunday worship services beginning at 10:30 am here at the Lexicon library. Come fellowship and celebrate with us.

Visit the Harvest Vineyard website for more information or call: 2289-6782 and ask for Kathy.

Storytime Again

Please let us know those of you who are interested in attending Storytime. We would like to plan accordingly. Thank you.

Baby Yosef is born

If you have not seen him yet. My son, Little Yosef Asher Dilello, was born on March 2, 2009. Here’s a photo of him.

Adult fiction Book Spotlight:

Snow Falling on Cedars by David Guterson

Winner of the Pen/Faulkner Award

This is has to be one of my favorite reads. On a personal level, the history that Guterson wove into the story of the U.S.’s internment of Japanese citizens during World War II interested me (because of my family’s history of having been interned); however, it is also amazingly well written. I like a book that flows from the very first sentence and this did just that.

A Review from Pico Iyer, Time says “Luminous…a beautifully assured and full-bodied novel [that] becomes a tender examination of fairness and forgiveness…. Guterson has fashioned something haunting and true.”

Children’s Section Spotilight:

Blueberries for Sal by Robert McCloskey

This is an adorable story of a little girl named Sal who goes off with her mommy to pick wild blueberries. Remember those days? When you could just go off and find a hill of wild free berries ripe for the picking? I don’t. But I know that they existed. Sal and her mommy have a bit of a run-in with a mama bear and her cub. It’s great fun and sure to engage your little one. Atira really loved the sounds that Sal’s berries made when dropped in her bucket…Kaplink! Kaplank! Kaplunk!

The Eentsy, Weentsy Spider: Fingerplays and Action Rhymes

Atira and I have been enjoying this book a lot! If your children love songs with hand motions or even singing – they’ll love  this one! I’ve learned several new ones and Atira asks at least once a day for this book and a song/rhyme from it.

It’s great for hand coordination in little ones and for some good old fashioned fun!

February 11, 2009 Storytime Summary

Lexicon member, Julie Cerdas, once again led our children’s storytime. We had children ranging from one to four years old. The storytime began with singing 3 action songs in a circle.  Then Julie read the book: The Train Ride. The story was about a child’s train ride to visit her Grandma and all the sights she sees along the way.

Following the story, the children all participated in a paper craft. They glued different shapes together to make their own trains on paper.

Some the parents even got involved.

January-March 2009 Lexicon Newsletter

Lexicon News and Announcements

♥Storytime to Begin Again: Second Week of February

Be sure and Mark your Calendars!!!

Our first Storytime of the new year will be held Wednesday, February 11th , 10:30 am – 11:30 am. We would like to ask all of our members who think they might attend to confirm by email so that we can plan. One of our members, Julie Cerdas, will be leading the storytime, followed by a story-related craft. All ages are welcome.

†Harvest Vineyard Fellowship

Harvest Vineyard would like to welcome all to Sunday worship services beginning at 10:30 am here at the Lexicon library. Come fellowship and celebrate with us.

Visit the Harvest Vineyard website for more information or call: 2289-6782 and ask for Kathy.

Children Fiction Book Spotlight

Ballet Shoes by Noel Streatfeild

This classic children’s story tells the tale of three young orphan girls named Pauline, Petrova and Posy Fossil. Their story is one of adventure and learning as they set out to make a name for themselves through performing. Their story takes place in England at the  young girls’ dance academy that they attend and where they study ballet and the stage.

This book has recently been turned into a movie. Click here for more information.

Other books by Noel Streatfeild at Lexicon Library include:

• Dancing Shoes
• Tennis Shoes
• Gemma
• Gemma and Sisters
• The Painted Garden
• The Growing Summer
• Apple Bough
• The Circus is Coming

Adult Non-fiction Book Spotlight

Learning to Bow by Bruce S. Feiler

321 pages, published 1991

“Always fascinating and often funny…one of those rare books that shows the Japanese as fully rounded human beings.” – Washington Post

With warmth and candor, Feiler recounts the year he spent teaching within the world’s most heralded school system, and through his unique perspective, demystifies contemporary Japanese life. (from back cover)

And don’t miss the other title by Bruce S. Feiler at Lexicon entitled Under the Big Top, about his experiences in joining a circus. Many of our members have thoroughly enjoyed this work.

October-December 2008 Newsletter

Author Spotlight: Francine Rivers

Francine Rivers is one of my all time favorite authors. She manages to write fresh stories every time she puts her pen to paper. Always focusing on people with real problems but who manage to perservere while relying on their faith in God above. I especially have enjoyed her fictional series based on 5 women of the Bible. She brings them and their long-ago culture to life. If you have not given her a try, please do and you won’t be sorry.

You can check out her official website at: http://www.francinerivers.com/ for more information such as bio, current projects and beliefs.

Books by Francine Rivers that we have at Lexicon Lending Library for your enjoyment include:

• The Scarlet Thread
• The Atonement Child
• The Last Sin Eater
• And the Shofar Blew
• Leota’s Garden
• The Priest
• All 5 books of the Lineage of Grace series

Children’s Books for Little Ones

This issue we will be sharing some of our all-time favorite stories for little ones. There are so many it would be impossible to list all of them, but we will begin here.

Lately Atira, my daughter, who will be 2 on October 14th, as been enjoying “lift-the-flap” type books. Her most recent favorites are:

A quick read about finding the Heffalump. Lifting the flaps and finding who is under them is half of the fun.

A cute story about Spot’s birthday party. He plays a game of hide-and-seek throughout. Children get to meet several animals and have fun guessing who is under each flap.

Another great one that we have enjoyed that is not a lift-the-flap type is:

One of my all time favorites as a little girl and what has now become one of my own daughter’s favorites is a wonderful story of a duck named Ping. He lives in China and it is the tale of how he loses his family all because he doesn’t want to be the last duck to board the boat he calls home and get a spanking. We get to follow his adventure as he finds his way home and learns a lesson along the way.

Please come and check out our Children’s section for yourself! You’re bound to find something that will keep your little one entertained and asking for more.

Lexicon News and Announcements

We will be closed for One week in October

The dates we will be closed will be: Wednesday October 15th and Friday, October 17th. We will be open once again on Wednesday, October 22nd. If any of your books have been stamped as due for either of these dates, we apologize. They will be accepted on October 22nd with no late fees charged. Thank you for your understanding.

Storytime to Continue?

We would like to get feedback from our members. What would be better for you: Wednesday or Friday? What time would be better for you: Mornings or Afternoons? Because we had no one come to our last storytime we will be gathering information and confirmations from our members before we schedule our next reading hour.

Winner of our Last Reading Contest

The winner of our last reading contest is Edwin Emery. Congratulations Edwin. Please pick up your prize, a c5,000 gift certificate for Libreria Internacional next time you are in.

Harvest Vineyard Fellowship

Harvest Vineyard would like to welcome all to Sunday worship services beginning at 10:30 am here at the Lexicon library. Come fellowship and celebrate with us.

Visit the Harvest Vineyard website for more information or call: 2289-6782 and ask for Kathy.

Book Exchange Social by Lexicon member: Tuesday, September 2, 2008

Mark Your Calendars!

One of our members, Gloria, will be hosting a book exchange social on Tuesday, September 2. Below is information from her for all of you. We are hoping to attend. Maybe we’ll see some of you there as well.

Gloria’s invitation

What: Remember to mark your calendars for our trade your book day. Let’s trade our unwanted books with one another. This is meant to be a fun morning of sharing and perhaps meeting new or reacquainting with old friends.To make this happen I need your help by bringing a breakfast dish to share. I will be providing coffee, tea, coke and water.

Bring a friend and your unwanted books to make this a great trading day.

Remember books are to be shared or the humidity will get to them…….

When: Hope to see ya’ll on Tuesday September 2, from 9:00 am to 12 pm

Where: Directions to my house:

From the AM/PM in Cariari (next to the new Doubletree hotel located on the service road
of the airport hwy )

Make a right at the AM/PM

Go straight 600 meters

Go past “the puente de los golfistas” (golfer’s bridge) two blocks

Turn right and look for house #93 beige house

Contact Info: If lost call my house # 2293-8215 or for more information.

Gloria

August 13, 2008 Story time Summary

On Wednesday, August 13 from 2:00-3:30 PM we were very pleased to have a guest storyteller: Julie Cerdas. Julie is a former grade-school teacher and has a one year old daughter named Nadia.

The story Julie read was titled: Stellaluna by Janell Cannon. Stellaluna is the tale of a baby fruit bat who falls into a bird’s nest and learns how to adapt to living with birds and behaving like one too. However in the end she is finally reunited with her mother.

The amazon.com review continues the story…

But when she finally has an opportunity to show her bird siblings what life as a bat is like, all of them are confounded. “How can we be so different and feel so much alike?” one asks. “And how can we feel so different and be so much alike?” asks another. “I agree,” Stellaluna responds. “But we’re friends. And that’s a fact.” Anyone who has ever been asked to be someone they’re not will understand the conflicts–and possibilities–Stellaluna faces.

Then after the story reading all of the children did a paper craft where they each made a fruit bat out of black construction paper. We had a nice turnout of 3 girls and 3 boys, with ages ranging from 1-10 years old. Thanks again Julie!

Our next story time will be Friday, August 29, 2008 from 2:00 – 3:30 PM. And this will mark the end of our second reading contest! Be sure and get those book reports or drawings in. So far it is anyone’s game. See you there.

Farewell to Leslie

As some of you know by now, Leslie Borrase, my former co-librarian will not be returning to the Lexicon library, as originally planned. You have probably noticed a new face around here: Brian Needham, my brother. We would like to thank Leslie for all of her hard work and time spent here at Lexicon. We’ll miss you Leslie.

She has written a farewell letter to all of our members. I have included it below.

Leslie’s Farewell Letter

Well, I have finally come out of my W.U. cave long enough to let all of you in on my current life status; busy, but accomplishing what I set out to. My two month absence from the library, as most of you already know, has been extended indefinitely, which means if you want to see my face it will have to be in this blog, or when you come in to get those pesky allergies removed, or just see where my clinic is located in Santa Ana and to pay me a visit. At this point I don’t have a coffee pot connected so you will have to keep coming to Lexicon for that and there is not a single book in the place (dust free policy for those with allergies to dust!), but we can run down to the coffee shop on the first floor and share a cup of coffee there (be careful there are lots of sweet treats there as well.) My phone number at the clinic is 2282-5935 and my e-mail address is leslie.borrase@hotmail.com . Please feel free to reach me at either.

I enjoyed serving all of you at Lexicon and hope to keep serving you at a different capacity and continuing on with our friendships in the future.

All the best,

Leslie Borrase

July 25 Storytime Summary

The Results from our First Reading Contest (June 27-July 25)!

Our recent storytime on Friday, July 25th, marked the end of our first reading contest held at Lexicon Lending Library.

Congratulations to our winner, Samuel De Dios, who won with 13 written book reports. Lexicon Library presented him with a gift certificate of 5,000 colones to be used at the popular bookstore, Libreria Internacional. He had some competition from Keila C. who ended up with 3 finalized reports and Coulier with 2.

Thank you to all of our participants and we will look forward to seeing the reading continue for our next contest which began on the 25th of July and ends on the 29th of August. Remember to see our previous blog post titled Children’s Events at Lexicon for rules on how to participate.

Beatrix Potter and The Titanic

On another note we had an excellent turnout of children. Overall there were 11 children within a wide range of ages – our youngest was just shy of three weeks old and our oldest was 11. This time we had a story about the Titanic for the older children and Tales from Beatrix Potter for the younger ones. There was a lot of excitement while the children spent much of their time looking at books and playing table games with one another.

We hope that many of you will be able to make it in to our next storytime scheduled for the 13th of August – a Wednesday, from 2:00-3:30 PM. Because Friday, August 15th, is Costa Rican Mother’s Day, we moved this next storytime to the Wednesday before. Happy Mother’s Day to all of our Mommy members!

We will be officially closed on Friday, the 15th of August.

July 11 Storytime Summary

Friday July 11 we had a turn out of 5 children with ages ranging from 9 months to 10 years. We had two new families join as members as well.

“I know this is your first long trip,” he (the station master) said, “but remember, all you have to do is follow the track.” -taken from Brave Little Train

The book read was Brave Little Train by Nicola Baxter. Storytime was lively with the children all interacting with the tale of the little train that persevered and exceeded other’s expectations of him. He stayed on track and kept on blowing his steam until he got his passengers to their destination.

Then afterwards play dough was brought out and put on the little tables for the children to try and form trains and other shapes from the story they had just heard. Keila C. made a very beautiful train complete with wheels, 5 cabooses and a full load of passengers. This was a lot of fun.

See you next storytime on Friday, July 25 at Lexicon! Be sure to invite your friends and remember that our reading contest ends on July 25th. We will be giving out the prize that day if the winner is present, otherwise we will notify the winner by phone or email. Be sure and read our post here on Children’s Events for more information on the Reading Contest.