Recommended Reads

Independence Day Closing

Friday, July 4 - The library will be closed in observance of Independence Day. Your online Library is available every day, 24 hours a day, through the library catalog and Online Resources.

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Draw!

Brett Bean

Become a better artist with this immersive visual masterclass in drawing, created by industry expert, Brett Bean. Simply pick up a pen or pencil and start practising, following the captivating illustrated steps and easy-to-digest text prompts along the way.

 

Learn about construction lines, warm-up exercises, and line weight, before diving into lessons on how to build up characters, vehicles, buildings, and environments with basic shapes. Next, soak up Brett's unique way of building up detail and interest in drawings, and how he researches and implements unique and fascinating elements that catch the eye. As the book progresses, build up confidence in tackling tricky tasks such as creating perspective, drawing hands and poses, and succeeding at effective colour and lighting. All of this can be absorbed at a glance thanks to the visually engrossing exercises, meaning you can get going as soon as you open the cover.

Those looking to improve their drawing skills can follow the book from start to finish, enjoying ongoing improvement and ending with a huge boost in confidence and talent when the final page is reached. This is an unmissable opportunity to have an expert's knowledge at your fingertips for years to come.
 

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Ultraviolet

Aida Salazar

A PURA BELPRÉ AWARD HONOR BOOK

Sometimes life explodes in technicolor.

In the spirit of Judy Blume, award-winning author Aida Salazar tells it like it is about puberty, hormones, and first love in this hilarious, heartwarming, and highly relatable coming-of-age story. Perfect for fans of Jason Reynolds, Kwame Alexander, and Adib Khorram.

"Savagely funny and deeply human." --New York Times Review

* "Stunning...A story that sings to the soul." --Kirkus Reviews, starred review

For Elio Solis, eighth grade fizzes with change--His body teeming with hormones. His feelings that flow like lava. His relationship with Pops, who's always telling him to man up, the Solis way. And especially Camelia, his first girlfriend.

But then, betrayal and heartbreak send Elio spiraling toward revenge, a fight to prove his manhood, and defend Camelia's honor. He doesn't anticipate the dire consequences--or that Camelia's not looking for a savior.

Ultraviolet digs deep into themes of consent, puberty, masculinity, and the emotional lives of boys, as it challenges stereotypes and offers another way to be in the world.

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Girls Garage

Emily Pilloton

Girls Garage is the only book you'll ever need for a lifetime of tools and building. 

Not sure which screws to buy? Need to fix a running toilet? With Girls Garage, you'll have the expertise to tackle these problems with your own hands. Or maybe you want to get creative and build something totally new. A birdhouse? A bookshelf? Girls Garage has you covered. Packed with illustrations that will build confidence for your next hardware store run, practical advice on everything from quick fixes to safety tips, and inspiring stories from real-world builder girls and women, this eye-catching volume makes the technical accessible. This is the guide every girl needs to take her life into her own hands.Girls, grab your tool belts, and get building!

• Informative, inspiring, and designed for everyday use, this is the ultimate book of book of building and construction for girls.
• A true confidence builder for girls interested in STEM, the building trades, and home improvement.
• Along with founding the nonprofit Girls Garage, Emily Pilloton has spoken at TED, been featured on television shows and the documentary film If You Build It.

Girls Garage will be both a trusted household resource and a wellspring of inspiration and encouragement in the vein of Women in Science and Headstrong: 52 Women Who Changed Science and the World.

• Nonfiction books for women and girls age 14 and up
• Carpentry, home repair, building projects
• Inspiring Kids DIY for teens

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Draw It Happy!

Terry Runyan

Welcome to Draw It Happy! by artist and author Terry Runyan, a supersized collection of step-by-step lessons taken from her two popular Draw 62 titles, Draw 62 Animals and Make Them Happy and Draw 62 Characters and Make Them Happy.

Presented in a compact, easy-to-carry format, an amazing 100+ lessons teach you how to achieve mirth and merriment in all your drawings. Simple steps help you develop basic drawing skills as you learn to create and connect the geometric shapes that comprise each figure, add identifying features such as ears, arms, or feet, then fill in the facial attributes that bring each character to life.
 

  • Beginner-friendly presentation. Each lesson is presented on one page, some with fun variations showing different poses, outfits, accessories, and expressions.
  • Funny animals include an anteater, a dolphin, a guinea pig, and a lion.
  • Fantastic characters include a bookworm, a couch potato, a night owl, and a sweet tooth. 


Draw It Happy! is a rich resourcefor beginner artists, cartoonists, and doodlers who want to have fun as they build their drawing skills and develop their own characters.

The titles in the Draw It! series from Quarry Books offer readers a huge variety of easy drawing lessons for fun, cute, and comical characters, all in a great little package.

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