Old MacDonald Had a Banjo

The children's show, Old MacDonald Had a Banjo, imagines a farm full of songs bursting out entertaining, educating, and in volving the audience in singing, movement, and silliness. Folk musician Paul Imholte plays the part of Old MacDonald as he sings original and classic children's songs.

Old McDonald Had a Banjo program is part of ECRL's celebration of Once Upon a Reader, a statewide literacy initiative program that celebrates Minnesota's rich cultural heritage by bringing the joy of stories, art, and literacy to our state's youngest members through libraries.

Chisago lakes Area Library -  Wednesday, April 1 - 10:30 am

Princeton Area Library - Wednesday, April 8 - 10:45 am

Mille Lacs Lake Community Library - Tuesday, April 14 - 10:30 am

Sandstone Public Library - Wednesday, April 15 - 10:00 am

Rush City Public Library - Wednesday, April 15 - 2:00 pm

Milaca Community Library - Thursday, April 16 - 10:30 am

McGregor Public Library - Saturday, April 18 - 10:30 am

Wyoming Area Library - Tuesday, April 21 - 10:30 am

Hinckley Public Library - Tuesday, April 21 - 2:00 pm

Pine City Public Library - Wednesday, April 29 - 10:15 am

Bev Proulx - Quilts for Little Folk
North Branch Area Library

Tuesday, April 7 - 6:30 pm

Using the doll, cradle, crib, and youth quilts from Bev's antique and contemporary collection, we will look at the styles, quilt makers, and techniques through time. This is a surprising look at very unique quilts.

The Looney Lutherans

Cambridge Public Library -Monday, April 27 - 6:30 pm
Pine City Public Library - Tuesday, April 28 - 6:30 pm
IREC (Isle Recreation and Education Center)
Seniors 55+ are welcome to come at noon for soup and pie provided by the East Central Senior Resources Center
Wednesday, April 29 - 1:00 pm (all invited for the presentation)

If you're a f an of the Church Basement Ladies you'll love The Looney Lutherans! The Looney Lutherans are a team of  professional actresses who have come together in a fun, interactive, family-friendly show. The idea for the "Looney Lutherans" was cooked up in 2006 when the founding members were appearing in the cast of the hit musical CHURCH BASEMENT LADIES at the Plymouth Playhouse in Plymouth, MN.

The Looney Lutherans are a trio of wacky gals on tour promoting their new cookbook and "lifestyle guide" entitled: Use Your Food: A Guide to Healthy Living Inside and Out, From Our Kitchen to Yours, Eat Like a Lutheran! Using music, comedy, and some help from the audience, these gals share some age-old wisdom for living a long and healthy life the Lutheran way.

Como Zoo Bug-A-Wocky Storytime
Wyoming Area Library - Saturday, April 11 - 1:00 pm

Join us for a special Como Zoo storytime!  Bug-A-Wocky ventures into the amazing world of bugs. Children will be thrilled by a tale about a very tricky spider and a magical rock. Participants will learn the differences between insects and spiders with a dress-up activity. Finally, meet some real, live, bug visitors!

William Kent Krueger
Wyoming Area Library - Tuesday, April 14 - 7:00 pm

Willia m Kent Krueger is the New York Times bestselling author  of  fourteen mysteries in the Cork O'Connor series, including Trickster's Point and Tamarack County, as well as the novel Ordinary Grace, which won the 2014 Edgar Award for Best Novel. His latest novel is Windigo Island. 

Plus check out all the other activities going on throughout ECRL. 

Simply check any of the following spots on our website:  NewsBits at www.ecrlib.org, Google calendar, ECRL Facebook page or follow us on  Twitter@ecrlib.

Olive and the Embarrassing Gift by Tor Freeman (print)

Olive's friendship is tested when her best friend Joe knits matching hats that say "Best Friends". Joe expects her to wear it all the time, but Olive's friends laugh at her when they see her in the ridiculous hat. Embarrassed she throws her hat in the trash only to realize after that Joe saw what she did. Olive has a decision to make as to what is most important... her friendship with Joe or disposing of the embarrassing gift?

I read this story at our preschool story time, while wearing a silly Valentine's hat that one of my staff had made for the occasion. The book presents a good lesson on the value of true friendship and can also jump start a discussion on how to handle teasing.

Sue Monroe, North Branch Branch Librarian

Uncaged by John Sandford and Michele Cook

(print, book on CD, eBook and digital audio formats)

I've read via audio format most John Sandford titles and found Uncaged to be equally intriguing, well-crafted and memorable. No Sandford fan should be disappointed by this first offering in "The Singular Menace" series, Sandford's foray into the teen and young adult market. Tara Sands does a fine job as reader and is well-suited to the story which finds orphaned teens, Shay and Odin Remby, and an interesting array of characters at odds with a corporation whose technological advances give great promise of return to a more normal life for combat veterans who have lost limbs, but whose research methods are clandestine and tortuous. The ending of Uncaged makes sense, but leaves me impatiently awaiting the second installment (Outrage, scheduled for July 2015 release).

Donna Larson, Rush City Branch Librarian

Killing Patton: The strange death of World War II's most audacious general by Bill O'Reilly and Martin Dugard 

(print, Book on CD, eBook and digital audio formats)

My recollection of Patton is the movie and George C. Scott standing in front of an empty screen talking. However, since I had read and enjoyed the other books by Bill O'Reilly, I thought I would try this one.  I would have to say it by far my favorite. I learned so much about Patton, along with information about FDR, Churchill, Stalin and other significant WWII figures. The behind the scenes political maneuvers by all top officials from the US, England and Russia was unbelievable. In the end you really wonder if Patton was the "sane" one. Both O'Reilly and Dugard make an excellent case that Patton's death was a little more than "suspicious".

Vickie Sorn, ECRL Youth & Community Services Librarian