Observe Children’s Book Week With Your Kids
This week is National Children’s Book Week, which has been observed annually since 1919.
The theme is “Any Time is Book Time,” which, of course, is meant to encourage kids to read this week and then just keep reading.
So, take your child to the library or bookstore and get him or her started on a life-long habit of reading.
Beyond a war story
In his novel “World That Never Was” (Aegina Press, 299 pages), Frank Bartel explores the tie between the Korean and Vietnam wars. More important, he looks at the culture that stumbled out of the first and tripped into the second.
Bartel, a first-time novelist who is an associate editor of The Spokesman-Review, is a familiar name to readers of this newspaper. A longtime observer of the area business scene, Bartel still writes a regular column.
In “World That Never Was,” however, his intent is far more ambitious. In telling the story of one of the American soldiers who refused repatriation following the Korean War’s end, Bartel wants nothing less than to document the “cultural miscarriage that begat the wrenching intergenerational upheavals of the second half of the century.”
Bartel, a Korean veteran himself, will read from his book at 7:30 p.m. Saturday at Auntie’s Bookstore, Main and Washington.
The good stuff goes first
You know the adage about the early bird getting, well … It applies to the Friends of the Spokane Public Library New and Used Book Sale Saturday at the downtown library, 906 W. Main. The pre-sale for Friends of the Library only, begins at 9 a.m. (you must have a pass to get in). The general sale begins at 10 a.m. and runs until 3 p.m.
A Northwest presence
The newly released “Best American Short Stories 1997” (Houghton Mifflin, $25) edited by Annie Proulx of “The Shipping News” fame contains nary a contribution by a Northwest writer. However, a nod was given in book to 100 Other Distinguished Stories of 1996, selected by Katrina Kenison, and this corner of the country is represented on this list.
Among the “other distinguished” writers are the Montana-based Rick Bass who lives and writes in the Yaak Valley, Bainbridge Island writer David Guterson, who wrote “Snow Falling on Cedars,” and Port Angeles poet Tess Gallagher.
An essay by Richard Ford, who maintains a home in Montana as well as New Orleans, made the companion book, “The Best American Essays 1997” (Houghton Mifflin, $27) edited by Ian Frazier. Several Northwest writers also made the list of Notable Essays of 1996, selected by Robert Atwan. Among them are Bass, Missoula-based David Quammen who writes a column for Outside magazine, Seattle transplant Jonathan Raban who wrote “Bad Lands,” and Oregon writer Barry Lopez of “Arctic Dreams” fame.
Thinking Christmas
If there’s a dog lover on your Christmas list, check out a new book any dog person can relate to: “My Dog’s Brain” by Stephen Huneck.
The book is simply labeled woodcuts - good dog and bad dog - by Huneck, who was the featured artist at the 1996 Summer Olympic Games in Atlanta.
“My Dog’s Brain” ($27.50, ISBN 0-670-87736-0) is not complex, but it’s certainly amusing and Huneck hit the mark when it comes to dogs.
Reader board
Spokane poet Karen Mobley will read from her work today at 5 p.m. at Mootsy’s, 960 E. Sprague.
Children’s author Mark Brown who has written the books about “Arthur,” now of TV fame, will appear at a booksigning today from 1 to 3 p.m. at Bookpeople, 512 S. Main, in Moscow.
Seattle author Steve Oliver will read from his Spokane-based mystery “Moody Gets the Blues” and from his forthcoming novel, “Moody Becomes Eternal” Monday at 7:30 p.m. at Auntie’s Bookstore, Main and Washington.
Idaho writer John Remember will read from his new book “Coyote and the Mountain” Wednesday at 7:30 p.m. at the University of Idaho Law School Courtroom in Moscow. Remember’s previous books include “Cheerleaders” and “Gomorrah.”
Actress, historian and fashion history teacher Tames Alan will present “Learning Among the Oak Groves (A Look at Celtic Life)” Wednesday at 7 p.m. at the East Side Library, 524 S. Stone (preregistration required for this event, call 444-5375), and Thursday at 7 p.m. at the Shadle Library, 2111 W. Wellesley. The presentation is recommended for college-level history students but would be suitable for children of elementary school age. Seating is limited so call 444-5312 for reservations.
National best-selling author Robert Fulghum will read from his new book “Words I Wish I Wrote” Thursday at 7 p.m. at Auntie’s Bookstore. Tickets, $5, are required to this event and are available at the bookstore. Proceeds from the reading and the royalties from this book will be donated to Human Rights Watch.
The Annebelle of the hit children’s film “Annebelle’s Wish” will tour the nation with Santa this season and the little calf will make two appearances in Eastern Washington.
Santa and Annabelle will be at the Valley Mall at Union Gap, Wash., on Saturday and at the Blue Mountain Mall in Walla Walla on Nov. 28. The little calf also has a new children’s book on the market which is Christmas-related.
, DataTimes