Welcome to Once Upon a Time Day, celebrated on the birthday of Wilhelm Grimm (born 1786). Grimm and his brother Jacob published several collections of German fairy tales, which have extended far beyond the borders of Germany to captivate children of different cultures for hundreds of years.
    Thursday is the anniversary of the day in 1919 when Grand Canyon National Park was established by an act of Congress. Covering 1,218,375 acres, the Grand Canyon is considered one of the most spectacular natural phenomena in the world.
    Friday is No Brainer Day, a day where you can slack off. If you are going to do anything at all, make it a no brainer, something you can do without any serious thought. Sponsors say fewer heart attacks occur on days like this - so give yourself a break. You have the rest of the year for a hectic schedule.

WHAT'S HAPPENING?
    Hop aboard the "Reading Railroad" with train stories, activities, and crafts at Wednesday's 10:00 a.m. and 3:30 p.m. storytimes. Then celebrate National Snack Food Month with yummy stories and a worm pie at Saturday morning's 10:00 storytime.

BOOK TALK
    Librarian Barbara Harris provides this week's book information. Although your own pet may not be able to find his way anywhere but to the kitchen, mystery writers often feature cats and dogs as companions of and even assistants to their fictional sleuths. Whether as active participants in the solution of tough cases or just as companions to lonely bachelor gumshoes, domestic critters can be found in numerous detective novels.
    Cat fans will relish books by Lilian Jackson Braun, Carole Nelson Douglas, Rita Mae Brown, Garrison Allen, Marcia Muller, Elizabeth Peters, Marian Babson, Gillian Roberts, Carolyn G. Hart, and Lydia Adamson, as well as the Truman Smith mysteries by Bill Crider.
    Dogs appear in the works of Laurien Berenson, Carol Lea Benjamin, Ted Wood, David Handler, Susan Conant, and Gerald Hammond. Don't despair, canine aficionados - mysteries with dogs are becoming more popular, so watch for new writers who feature detectives with cold noses!
    Keeping with the pet theme, Children's Librarian Mary Stickford provides this information. Has that adorable puppy you got for Christmas turned into a dirty dog? The library has help--from general dog training books, such as "Dog Obedience Training" or "Never Say No," to specialized training, such as "Gun Dog Training" or "Speed Train Your Own Retriever." If videos are more your speed, try "Training That Works for Your Dog" or "A Beginner's Guide to Dog Care."
If you picked a caged pet thinking they were less trouble, it may be time to check out one of a variety of books about bugs, birds, ferrets, gerbils, hamsters, guinea pigs, iguanas, rabbits, snakes, or turtles.

DID YOU KNOW?
    Here's a tip to train dogs more effectively from animal-behavior specialist Gary Wilkes. Use a "wrong-behavior signal" - a simple signal like the word "wrong" - whenever the animal behaves unacceptably. Then have a short time-out by ignoring the dog for about 15 seconds.
    Veterinarian R. J. Schuff warns us that dogs may develop hypothermia if they get too cold. They will shiver noticeably and then become lethargic because of a lower body temperature. What should you do? As soon as possible, dry the dog in towels and then wrap it in blankets warmed in a clothes dryer. Use a hair dryer on a warm setting to dry off moisture. If the dog seems mentally confused or is comatose, take it to your vet immediately.

THOUGHT FOR THE WEEK:   
    "Don't let the best you've done so far be the standard for the rest of your life." (unknown)

ROSWELL PUBLIC LIBRARY, JUDY ARMSTRONG, 624-7276

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