APRIL: Ability Awareness Month

Diversity in America has many faces and forms. “Disabled” people have learned how to focus on their assets, not their limitations.

Journey within: Very special Arts Wisconsin Adult Art Collection, an exhibition of work by artists with disabilities.

Journey within: Very special Arts Wisconsin Children’s Art Collection, an exhibition of work by artists with disabilities.

This is a 2-sided book by VSA (Very Special Arts Wisconsin). One side showcases the art accomplishments of adults, the flip side showcases children’s work. Whatever the disability, mental or physical, the creative process shines through, giving us new insights into other people’s worlds.

Helen Keller: the story of my life, by Helen Keller.
Since its first publication in 1902, this famous story of a courageous woman’s battle against overwhelming disabilities has become a classic of inspirational writing and a lighthouse of hope for the afflicted. In addition to her original autobiography, LTC's edition of Helen Keller’s story contains an account of her childhood, and her letters from 1887 to 1901.

The Heart's Language, by Lois-Ann Yamanaka.

'How do I listen with my heart?' I asked the blue bird.

The blue bird answered:

'The sun and moon will tell you, there are many ways of glowing.
The winds can tell you, there are many ways of blowing.
The rains can tell you, there are many ways of flowing.
The stars can tell you, there are many ways of glistening.
Your son can tell you, there are many ways of listening.'
--from back cover.

Although a children's book, this lyrical story of love and understanding will speak to anyone whose life has been touched by an exceptional child.

GreenFILE Database

EBSCO Publishing, provider of EBSCOhost, has announced the release of GreenFILE, a ibliographic database of information about environmental concerns and issues facing our planet.

Containing nearly 300,000 records (full text for selected titles and searchable cited references for more,) it is a freely accessible website, found at: http://www.greeninfoonline.com/.

Woman's History Month, Pt. 2

The library has several books about individual women and their lives. Whether well-known or not, their stories tell of the resourcefulness and resiliency of us all.

The Heart of a Woman by Maya Angelou. Part 4 of her highly acclaimed autobiography tells of Maya's introduction as a singer/dancer to the razzle-dazzle of New York City, and the re-awakening of her love of writing. PS 3551.N464.Z465 1997

Laura: The Life of Laura Ingalls Wilder by Donald Zochert. Before Laura began to write her famous stories, she wrote an unpublished memoir, which told of the reality that underlay the Ingall's family's adventures. Here is the authentic story of her life with Ma and Pa and her sisters. PS3545.I342.Z98 1976

My Several Worlds: a Personal Record by Pearl S. Buck. Known for her wisdom, compassion, and insight into the human condition, Nobel prize winner Pearl Buck looks back over a life rich in memories about people, both great and the lowly, of epochal events, and of simple, everyday occurrences. A remarkable life of a most remarkable woman. PS3503.U198.Z5

40 Acres and no mule by Janice Holt Giles. After moving to the Appalachian birthplace of her husband, a city woman writes about her first year there, farming its barren land, and coming to love and understand its shy, proud, courteous, stubborn people. F106.G55 1967