Media you can Trust

"A Kitten Tale"

By Eric Rohmann

Eric Rohmann, author/illustrator of the Caldecott winner "My Friend Rabbit," offers readers a simple story with beautiful print illustrations. Four kittens have never seen snow, and while three are afraid, describing all aspects of snow that will be unpleasant, the fourth kitten keeps repeating, "I can't wait!" When the snow finally comes, the fourth kitten's adventurous attitude wins out, and they all end up frolicking in the snow. A perfect story for toddlers and pre-schoolers, this book acknowledges a young child's fear of the unknown, while gently moving the listener towards curiosity and fun.

- Margaret Head Nantucket Atheneum

"Outtakes From a Marriage: A Novel" by Ann Leary

First things first: yes, this is the Ann Leary that is married to Dennis Leary, the actor. But guess what? Ann Leary is a phenomenal writer, so maybe someday we will hear, "Yes, this is the Dennis Leary that is married to Ann Leary, the novelist." In "Outtakes From a Marriage," Leary's first novel, Julia Ferraro contemplates life, reality and marriage as experienced on the upper west side of Manhattan. Julia is a stay-at-home mom who brought home the family bacon until her actor husband hit it big. He is finally nominated for a Golden Globe, and things seem to be coasting along on the yellow brick road of marital bliss and happiness. That is, until Julia hears a suggestive message on hubby's voice mail! Julia begins questioning everything: her life, her weight, her reality, her children's school. The reader is taken on a rollercoaster ride of self questioning, that in many authors' hands would turn sappy or annoying, but in Leary's makes you laugh out loud! My favorite exchange: Julia's daughter says, "You don't have to do anything." To which Julia replies, "I know. You have no idea how stressful that is." Thank goodness Julia can't sit still because we are left with a rollicking good read that is the perfect end-of-summer send-off.

- Lucretia Voigt Mitchell's Book Corner