What the heck are TumbleBooks?

What are "Tumblebooks", you ask?

"Tumblebooks" are a group of REALLY HARD books made especially for REALLY clumsy people. You know those people who leave the book on top of the car and then drive off?

No...not really...

"Tumblebooks" are a collection of books specifically about gymnastics and really bad "Pairs" figure-skaters.

Okay...I'll stop...don't leave...I'll tell you the real story. I warn you, it's a complicated topic...but it's worth putting up with the rambling of a library clerk who is working the evening shift in the dead of winter.

Our library offers a range of new e-Resources that you can access from our www.mycallander.ca/library/e-resources web page. Although most e-Resources on this page can only be accessed from within the library, you can access the online databases known as the Tumblebook Library from your home computer.

Are you with me, so far?

On our e-Resources page, you'll see the headings called TumbleBookLibrary Collection, Tumble Talking Books and TumbleReadables.

TumbleBookLibrary Collection is an online collection of TumbleBooks - animated, talking picture books which teach kids the joy of reading in a format they'll love. Read more about them here.

TumbleBooks are awesome, exciting, high interest materials with skillbuilding exercises. There are great puzzles and games available to enhance much of the reading experience, so that kids won't even know that they are learning. The kids will love them and not even know that they are making their parents happy and their teacher's job easier.

And get this...there is a Language Learning option that offers books in five languages other than English.

Tumble Talking Books is a library of high-quality, streaming audio books that you can play right from your browser.

TumbleReadables is an online collection of read-along titles which features adjustable online text and complete audio narration. Sentences are highlighted as they are being read. The collection features chapter books, early readers, YA/Teen Novels, high interest/low level books plus classics.

Go ahead...

(are you ready for it? I've been saving this and here it comes...)

TAKE A TUMBLE!

Books Make My Brain Feel Better!

Oh, it's early February. Early yesterday morning, I saw -40.6 C on my digital thermometer. Car wouldn't start. Even my alpaca socks were shivering.

My family is getting cabin fever. What brainiac decided to make Family Day right smack in the middle of the Northern Ontario winter? Sure enough, if we plan to go skiing that day, you know it's going to rain. A trip planned to the big city is sure to bring on the blizzard gods.

Oh....do I need a HAPPY, "FEEL-GOOD" BOOK! Today!

You may have your own idea of what a feel-good book is, but in my definition, it's a book that let's you escape your day from a quiet corner of your world. It doesn't ask you to think about life's big dramas or the effect of an individual's personality flaws on your world.

Nope - a "feel-good" book simply puts images in your head that make your brain feel better.

Here's some suggestions...

Dewey: The Small-Town Library Cat Who Touched the World by Vicki Myron with Bret Witter

It's the story of a kitten, who was rescued by the librarian, made the public library his domain and was adopted by the town of Spencer, Iowa.

The Irish Country series by Patrick Taylor are a charming read with endearing characters that will put a smile on your face. My favorite in the series is The Irish Country Doctor.

more on the list....

The Book of Awesome by Neil Pasricha makes you think of all those little, insignificant (or so you thought!) things that happen in your day that work to make you happier.

The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Society by Mary Ann Shaffer and Annie Barrows is a collection of letters between friends, regarding a young woman's visit to the island of Guernsey during the German Occupation. This hardly seems like a light-hearted setting, but the people live with a joy that is transferred to the reader. The eccentric characters come alive in the letter writing.

Skinny Dip by Carl Hiassen is a funny novel about a good woman getting revenge on her cad of a husband, who throws her off the side of a cruise ship as the book begins. Unbeknownst to him, she survives, and sets out to get the sweetest revenge in the most hilarious ways. Its silly and somewhat risqe humour will tickle your brain.

Don't forget to browse the picture books at the library. The juvenile section is full of 'feel-good' books and they come with beautiful illustrations. Alison says "The E Section stands for Everyone!"

One of my favourites, is "Woolbur" by Leslie Helakoski.

Picture books are great to read aloud with the funny voices. (Word to the wise...You may want to keep to this hobby when you are in your home only...or people may think that cabin fever has really struck you down...)

Now, this winter may be lasting quite a while yet. Can you give me some feel-good suggestions that you have read?