Books

Dragon Blossoms

If you had the opportunity to move your family to another country for an entire year, immersing yourself in that country's language and culture, would you do it? That's exactly what Wallingford resident Linda Bevis and her family did when they moved to Beijing, China back in 2008. Bevis has written a wonderful book, titled Dragon Blossoms, that recounts their memorable journey. Bevis was not a complete stranger to China prior to their year-long relocation. In 1983, she went to China for…

Continue ReadingDragon Blossoms

Lowell Book Drive

Last month, we told you that Lowell Elementary's Accelerated Progress Program (APP) was moving to Lincoln in the fall, sharing space with McDonald Elementary. With the first day of school only a few weeks away, Lowell is in need of some books for their reading room and is asking if anyone has any books suitable for grades 3-5 that they're they're willing to donate. Some examples include Bridge to Terabithia by Katherine Paterson, Charlie and the Chocolate Factory by Roald Dahl,…

Continue ReadingLowell Book Drive

Mapping Charlie

Interested in reading a great murder mystery that takes place locally? Then you'll want to read Mapping Charlie by Wallingford author Jane Meyerding. Mapping Charlie is a story about Kay, a middle-aged woman with autism, who becomes a prime suspect in the murder of her fellow classmate, Charlie. Though she's identified as someone who last spoke to Charlie before his death, she can't remember because she suffers from prospopagnosia -- otherwise known as faceblindness -- which prevents her from recognizing people…

Continue ReadingMapping Charlie

Shuksan Descent

Have you noticed the posters for Shuksan Descent around the neighborhood?  Do you know why someone is advertising an e-book to Wallingford?  We got the scoop from Shuksan Descent's author, Barrett Schmanska.  And it has something to do with Wallingford Center! The e-book Shuksan Descent tells the story of Gary Patrick, a backhoe operator who discovers human bones at a construction site on the Shuksan Indian Reservation, near Mount Shuksan.  Bureaucracy, politics, religion, history, intrigue, suspense, murder, and a treasure hunt…

Continue ReadingShuksan Descent

My Beautiful Bow – An Adoption Story

Ask any adoptive parent, and they will tell you that discussing adoption with their children doesn’t happen in merely one, full-length conversation that’s planned in advance, and then executed and crossed off a list.  Rather, it’s a lifelong dialog that begins from the moment parents adopt a child, and continues through a series of spontaneous questions and answers. Some adoptive parents, like Wallingford neighbor Lauren Goldman Marshall, create picture books for their young children to help explain how they became a…

Continue ReadingMy Beautiful Bow – An Adoption Story

School of Essential Ingredients

Erica Bauermeister, long-time Wallingford resident and the author of the novel The School of Essential Ingredients, took a break from her book tour and writing recently to meet us at the Mosaic Coffeehouse. She shared not only some of her insights into writing, but also some of the spots around Wallingford that inspired her. Wallyhood: Thanks so much for taking time from your book tour. Sounds like it's been hectic. Erica Baumeister: It has been a lot of fun and a…

Continue ReadingSchool of Essential Ingredients

Singing in the Soup

Alphabet Soup Children's Books is hosting the local band, Harmonica Pocket, this Sunday April 11th at 11:30am as they celebrate Dr. Seuss with their special show, "Get Loose With Seuss!" Dr. Seuss would have turned 106 years old on March 2nd --  and local band Harmonica Pocket has put together a concert of original music set to Dr. Seuss books: Come down to the Soup and sing along to Dr. Seuss's ABCs, One Fish Two Fish Red Fish Blue Fish, and other selected books. The band will…

Continue ReadingSinging in the Soup