EDMOND —
‘BABY’S CHRISTMAS’
BY ESTHER WILKIN
This rhyming story from 1959, illustrated by Eloise Wilkin, shows the presents that Santa brought for Baby’s first Christmas.
Babies will love to watch this baby playing with toys and enjoying its first Christmas. And parents will like the sturdy pages and padded cover of the Golden Baby board books.
This title is perfect for stocking stuffers and a must-have for fans of classic Golden Books.
Esther Wilkin was Eloise Wilkin’s sister. She wrote several Little Golden Books for Eloise Wilkin, including “Baby Listens.”
Eloise Wilkin (1904-1987) illustrated dozens of classic Golden Books in her long career. Known and loved for her beautifully detailed paintings of nature scenes and chubby-cheeked children, she illustrated “Baby Dear,” “Busy Timmy,” “We Help Mommy,” “Prayers for Children,” “Wonders of Nature,” “The Christmas Story” and “My Little Golden Book About God,” among many others.
Ages 0-4.
‘THE WONDROUS JOURNALS OF DR. WENDELL WELLINGTON WIGGINS’
BY LESLEY M. M. BLUME
The journals of Dr. Wendell Wellington Wiggins might just be the most extraordinary contribution to the study of the earth’s past since the discovery of the Rosetta Stone.
In the pages of these thought-to-be-lost diaries, Dr. Wiggins — whom we now must consider the greatest paleozoologist of all time — has divulged the secrets of the truly ancient animal world: a world before human beings; a world before dinosaurs; a world that, until now, existed well beyond the outer reaches of human imagination.
From deadly Amazonian Whispering Vines (Vitus Sussurus) to curious creatures called Brittle Bones (Futilis Ossis) to a mysterious and indispensible pet named Gibear (Chiroptera Vicugna Pacosis), the discoveries of Dr. Wiggins will forever change the way we think about the world before us.
Perhaps it is no coincidence that Dr. Wiggins’s journals have surfaced now, in a time predicted by scientists and religions all over the world to be the beginning of the next mass extinction.
While natural disasters often bring about the end of species, these stories show that certain species often bring doom upon themselves, through foolish or self-destructive actions. Can we learn from the mistakes of those who came before us and avoid such a fate?
Ages 8-12.
‘JUMP INTO THE SKY’
BY SHELLEY PEARSALL
“Jump into the Sky” is a novel by historical fiction writer Shelley Pearsall, based on the real-life secret mission by the first African-American Paratroopers and their service.
Levi Battle has been left behind all his life. His mother could sing like a bird and she flew away like one, too. His father left him with his grandmother so that he could work as a traveling salesman — until Levi’s grandmother left this world entirely.
Now Levi’s staying with his Aunt Odella while his father is serving in the U.S. Army.
But it’s 1945, and the war is nearly over, and Aunt Odella decides it’s time for Levi to do some leaving of his own. Before he can blink, Levi finds himself on a train from Chicago to Fayetteville, N.C., where his father is currently stationed — last he knew.
So begins an eye-opening, life-changing journey for Levi.
First lesson: There are different rules for African-Americans in the South than there are in Chicago. And breaking them can have serious consequences.
But with the help of some kind strangers, and despite the hindrances of some unkind ones, Levi makes his way across the United States — searching for his father and finding out about himself, his country and what it truly means to belong.
Ages 10 and up.
‘CECIL THE PET GLACIER’
BY MATTHEA HARVEY
Award-winning poet Matthea Harvey and illustrator Giselle Potter team up to create an indescribably unique picture book about wanting to be normal, and then coming to appreciate being different.
Ruby would love to be like everyone else — not easy when you have a tiara-wearing mother and a father who spends his time trimming outrageous topiary.
She’d also like to get a nice normal pet, maybe a dog. Then, on a family vacation to Norway, she finds herself adopted by a small, affectionate glacier.
How Cecil, as the ice pet is named, proves himself to Ruby — risking his own meltdown — is a story sure to thrill and delight young readers. This offbeat, utterly charming, one-of-a-kind story is unlike anything you’ve ever read.
Ages 4-8.
NOTE: Email dpeery@edmondsun.com to have your name entered into a drawing for the following titles: “Baby’s Christmas” and/or “The Wondrous Journals of Dr. Wendell Wellington Wiggins” and/or “Jump Into the Sky.” Deadline is 10 a.m. Dec. 3. Winner will be notified by return email. Winner is responsible for picking up the book at The Edmond Sun at 123 S. Broadway. All entrants must be 18 or older to win.
Arts & Entertainment
11-27 Good Reads
- Arts & Entertainment
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Don’t miss out on Williams, Ariz.
You know how some days you’re really at your best and then you hit one where your efforts just don’t measure up. I had one of those. Jack and I were on a nine-day driving tour of Arizona, getting close to the end of the trip.
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Best of Books observes 94th annual Children’s Book Week
Internationally renowned Choctaw storyteller and author Tim Tingle will perform and sign copies of his new children’s novel, “How I Became A Ghost,” a story about the Choctaw Trail of Tears told by a young boy, Saturday from 11 a.m. to noon at Best of Books, 1313 E. Danforth Road, Kickingbird Square.
Children will take home free Children’s Book Week posters and totes. This year’s poster artist is Brian Selznick, the 2008 Caldecott Medal winner for The Invention of Hugo Cabret. And children also will get one of the first peeks in the country at Tingle’s new book for children. -
ACM@UCO signs exchange program agreement with ACM
The Academy of Contemporary Music at the University of Central Oklahoma (ACM@UCO) recently signed an exchange program agreement with the original ACM in Guildford, England. The agreement will allow Central ACM students with global opportunities to study with contemporary music experts at the ACM in Guildford.
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5-14 Good Reads
NOTE: Email dpeery@edmondsun.com to have your name entered into a drawing for the following titles: “The FitzOsbornes at War” and/or “Pretty Penny Makes Ends Meet” and/or “Spirit’s Chosen.” Deadline is 10 a.m. May 20. Winner will be notified by return email. Winner is responsible for picking up the book at The Edmond Sun at 123 S. Broadway. All entrants must be 18 or older to win.
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Locals join Dallas film shoot
University of Central Oklahoma graduate Page Tudyk recently landed the lead supporting actress role in the film “I,” due to start filming this summer in Edmond and the Dallas/Fort Worth area.
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Mumford & Sons event needs volunteer force
The Pollard Theatre Company is sponsoring the volunteer pool for the Mumford & Sons Guthrie Stopover. Organizers are seeking 250 volunteers to work three, five-hour shifts between Thursday-Sunday the weekend of the festival Sept. 5-8.
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Artist INC program to present workshop
The Artist INC program has identified the common behaviors of successful artist entrepreneurs. In their ”What Works/What Doesn’t?” workshop they’ll share those behaviors and leave artists ready to apply them to their own art practice. The workshop includes discussion of portfolio, careers, goal setting and planning, communications strategy and financial planning.
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5-7 Good Reads
NOTE: Email dpeery@edmondsun.com to have your name entered into a drawing for “Behind the Bookcase.” Deadline is 10 a.m. May 13. Winner will be notified by return email. Winner is responsible for picking up the book at The Edmond Sun at 123 S. Broadway. All entrants must be 18 or older to win.
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Oklahoma Choral Artists presents ‘Trial by Jury’
At 7 p.m. May 15 in the Christian Life Center at St. Luke’s United Methodist Church, the Oklahoma Choral Artists will present a program of operetta by Gilbert and Sullivan featuring a staged performance with professional instrumental ensemble of “Trial by Jury.” The performance is co-sponsored by Oklahoma Choral Artists and the Emerson Community Action Board, a group of concerned citizens providing support for the Oklahoma City Public School’s Emerson Mid-High Alternative School, a school for young persons who are working to keep their lives together and earn a high school diploma. All proceeds from the evening will go to the support of projects at Emerson.
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Fine Arts Institute schedules 5 X 5 Art Show and Sale
The Fine Arts Institute will present its first “5 X 5 Art Show and Sale” on Sunday. This exhibit includes 55 artists from Oklahoma. The show and sale begins at 5:55 p.m. May 5 with a $5 admission at the door of the Fine Arts Institute, 27 E. Edwards. All art work is priced at $55 and will be sold on a first-come, first-serve basis.
The exhibit will hang in the FAI gallery May 5-15. Some of the artists included are Jennifer Hustis, Thomas Stotts, Bert Seabourn, Kyle Golding, Jackson Compton, Doris Nelson, Clint Stone, Arni Anderson, Michelle Wiser, Gary Lennon, Linda Kukuk and many more. Gallery hours are 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday-Friday. All purchased art is to be picked up May 15. Proceeds from 5 X 5 will go toward operational costs at the Fine Arts Institute to help keep tuition and fees affordable for students of all ages. - More Arts & Entertainment Headlines
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