This week at the Library:

• Monday, July 6. The second session of the Portales Puppeteers will begin at 10:30 am. This is a registration-only program.

• Tuesday, July 7, 10:30 am. Art Masters (recommended for grades 2-6): This week we’ll learn about the art form of collage, see how it is used in a children’s picture book, then create some of our own.

• Tuesday, July 7, 2:00 pm. The Express Yourself Teen Book Group (Gr. 6-12) will meet. This week’s book is Travels With Charley by John Steinbeck.

• Wednesday, July 8, 10:30 am is Storytime (recommended for grades PreK-2).  We’ll be reading stories about art this week and making a “cool” collage.

• Thursday, July 9, 5:30 pm. This week’s Guest Artist is Heather Hancock, a local artist. This will be a fun program for all ages.

• Friday, July 10, 10:30 am. Music and Movement (Gr. PreK-2) is back with Cowboy songs!  Get ready to sing and dance!

The following books are part of the “Picturing America Bookshelf,” a cooperative grant between the American Library Association, the Association of Library Services for Children, and the National Endowment for the Humanities.

The Midnight Ride of Paul Revere by Henry Wadsworth Longfellow, graved and painted by Christopher Bing

This classic poem of the American Revolution has been memorized and recited by countless school children. Bing brings to life the memorable story with his gorgeous artwork that combines old and new techniques.  The scratchboard gives an old fashioned engraving look and the blue toned watercolors capture the shadowy quality of night.  Bing includes in the end notes a wealth of information on the facts of the night of Revere’s mythic ride and detailed maps of the area.

American Tall Tales by Mary Pope Osborne, Wood engravings by Michael McCurdy

With the energy and attention to detail that her fans love, the author of the popular Magic Tree House series brings to life nine mythical characters from the American landscape.  In addition to well-known favorites like Johnny Appleseed and Paul Bunyan, are perhaps less familiar characters such as Sally Ann Thunder Ann Whirlwind, Stormalong, and Febold Feboldson.  The wood engravings colored with watercolors provide a traditional flavor to the romping tales of American heroes.  This is sure to be a read-aloud favorite for homes and classrooms for years to come.

1776: The Illustrated Edition by David McCullough

Step back into history in this rich undertaking by the Pulitzer Prize winning author of John Adams.  In addition to McCullough’s excellent storytelling, the book includes lush full color paintings, engravings, and drawings of events from that pivotal year.  The real treat however is the many facsimile letters, maps, and newspaper clippings which can be handled and closely examined.  Because of the delicate nature of the many enclosures, this book is not available for checkout but can be found in our reference area.