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June 2020 - Posts

Fantastical Reimaginings

Fantastical Reimaginings: Snow White
by Nicole S.
 
Disney's Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs
Image from Disney
"Heigh-ho, heigh-ho, it’s off to work we go....” If you can whistle the rest of this tune then kudos to you! (I sadly cannot whistle) I bet some of you can also name at least two of the dwarfs in Disney’s “Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs”. However, did you know that the original tale of Snow White is very different than the Disney version? 

History
The original Snow White fairy tale was published in 1812 by the Brothers Grimm in their collection “Grimm’s Fairy Tales” as Tale 53. In German the original title was “Sneewittchen”. The Grimms then revised the story in 1854. Later, in 1912, in the Broadway play of “Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs”, the dwarfs were given individual names. These names were later changed when Walt Disney released his first full length featured animated film, “Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs” in 1937. Fun fact: The story of Snow White is not the same story as the Grimms fairy tale “Snow-White and Rose-Red”.

The Original
Snow White
Image from Story Berries
 In the original story, a queen is sitting at her open window sewing when she pricks her finger and three drops of blood fall onto the snow-covered black windowsill. She wishes to herself that she will have a daughter whose “skin is as white as snow, lips as red as blood and hair as black as night." Not much longer the queen gets her wish when she gives birth to a baby girl she names Snow White. However, the queen dies shortly after due to childbirth. Snow White’s father remarries to a woman who is beautiful but also wicked and vain as she practices witchcraft. She possesses an enchanted mirror that she asks everyday who is the fairest of them all? Each time the mirror answers back that she is the fairest of them all until Snow White gets older and the mirror changes its response. Outraged, the queen orders a huntsman to take Snow White into the woods and kill her. As proof, the queen asks that the huntsman bring back Snow’s lungs and liver so she can consume them and become as beautiful as Snow White. The huntsman doesn’t have it in him to kill Snow White so instead he lets her run away into the forest and brings back a boar’s liver and lungs to the queen to fool her. In the forest, Snow White discovers a small cottage owned by dwarfs. In this story the dwarfs demand the Snow cook and clean for them in exchange for their protection. The evil queen thinking Snow is dead asks the mirror who is the fairest. The mirror answers that it is still Snow White. Learning she has been tricked, the Queen tries three more times to kill Snow. The first time, disguised as an old peddler, she tricks Snow into trying on a corset that is so tight Snow passes out. However, the dwarfs save her by cutting up the laces. The second time, dressed as a comb seller, she tries to sell Snow a comb laced with poison which causes Snow to pass out. The dwarfs save her by taking the comb out of her hair. The third time disguised as a farmer’s wife, the queen uses a poisoned apple to do the trick. Passing out, the dwarfs believe her to be dead and place her in a glass coffin. A handsome prince comes by and wants to take her away even though they have never met. As the dwarfs carry her coffin out of their cottage to the prince they stumble and jostle the coffin causing Snow to spit out the apple that was lodged in her throat and awakes. (No kiss from the prince!) The prince asks Snow to marry him and she agrees. Together they invite everyone to the wedding including the Evil Queen. The Evil Queen asks the mirror who is the fairest and the mirror responds that the prince’s new bride is the fairest, not knowing it is Snow. She attends the wedding and is enraged when she finds Snow alive. However, for the attempted murders of Snow, the prince demands she wears red-hot iron slippers and must dance in them until she drops dead. 

Snow White Retellings
So, how much has this classic fairy tale changed over the years? Are the retellings similar or impossibly different? Find out more about similar tales below!
***
 Walt Disney's Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs
Image from hoopla digital
Walt Disney’s “Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs”
Available on: 
Hoopla as picture book and read along book
In the Disney version of “Snow White”, the prince and Snow meet at the wishing well in the beginning of the story. She is also 14 years old. The seven dwarfs all have their own names and the Evil Queen only tries to kill Snow herself once with the poisoned apple. It is also the Prince who wakes Snow up with a kiss and the dwarfs run the Evil Queen/Old Hag off a cliff. Besides that, most of the story is the same.

***
 "Winter" by Marissa Meyer
Image from hoopla digital
“Winter” by Marissa Meyer (The Lunar Chronicles #4)
Available on: 
Hoopla as an audiobook and OverDrive/Libby as an eBook

In “Winter”, Princess Winter is loved for her grace and kindness by her Lunar people despite the scars marking her face. Winter deeply despises her stepmother Queen Levana and knows of her disapproval of Winter’s beloved childhood friend and palace guard Jacin. Levana believes Winter to be timid and weak however Winter has been undermining her for years. With the help of her friend Cinder, Winter attempts to launch a revolution and wage war on her evil stepmother. Can she finally get her happily ever after?
This story is in part of a larger story in the “Lunar Chronicles” series by Marissa Meyer. Each book takes the fairy tales you already know, like Cinderella, Snow White and Rapunzel, and gives them a futuristic sci-fi twist. 
***
 
"Mirror Mirror" by Jen Calonita
Image from hoopla digital
“Mirror, Mirror” by Jen Calonita (Twisted Tale Series)
Available on: 
Hoopla as an eBook

“Mirror, Mirror” follows the story of Snow White but what if the Evil Queen had poisoned the prince? After Snow’s beloved mother passes, her father remarries and the Evil Queen is in power. Snow does everything she can to keep her head down and out of sight. However new information comes to light about her parents’ death, and the plot to kill her backfires. Snow, with the help of some wary dwarfs, a prince and a mysterious stranger, will embark on a journey to defeat the Evil Queen and take back her kingdom. 
This story follows the Disney’s version of the fairy tale with a slight twist that creates a new timeline and path for the story. Each “Twisted Tales” story is a stand-alone for each Disney fairy tale.
***

Now that you know the real story and some newer re-tellings, check out these other Snow White re-tellings available on hoopla!
o “Snow White - And Other Examples Of Jealousy Unrewarded” by Amelia Carruthers
o “Shadow Queen” by C.J. Redwine
o “The Fairest Beauty” by Melanie Dickerson
o “Mirror Mirror” by Gregory Maguire
o “Tear You Apart” by Sarah Cross

Let us know in the comments which rendition of "Snow White" is your favorites! Hope you all live happily ever after! 

Posted by [email protected]  On Jun 19, 2020 at 2:12 PM
  
Learn It!

What's so great about honeybees? Join Aurora Parks, Recreation & Open Space, Colorado naturalist Joy in discovering all things honeybee - from what they are and their many jobs to the important role they play in our world!



Want to learn more about nature and wildlife in Aurora? Click here to explore Aurora's nature
Posted by [email protected]  On Jun 19, 2020 at 10:19 AM
  

On June 18th, 2020 at around 6:20 a.m., the Aurora Police Department Public Safety Communication Center received reports of an unresponsive male lying on the ground. 

Officers responded to 10653 E. Jewell Avenue, The Willowick Apartments, and found an adult male lying on the ground, bleeding, and unresponsive.  Aurora Fire Rescue responded to the scene but the victim was, sadly, deceased. 

Investigators from the Major Crimes/Homicide Unit are on scene and actively investigating.  It is unknown what led up to the incident and at this time there is no suspect information. 

The victim’s identity will be released by the Arapahoe County Coroner’s Office once he has been positively identified and next of kin have been notified. 

Anyone with information about this case is encouraged to call Agent Graw at 303.739.6213 or they can remain anonymous by contacting Denver Metro Crime Stoppers at 720.913.STOP (7867) and be eligible for a reward of up to $2,000.

Agent Faith Goodrich
Public Information Officer
Aurora Police Department
720.432.5095

Posted by [email protected]  On Jun 18, 2020 at 10:30 AM
  

On June 16th, 2020, at about 9:30 p.m., Aurora Police Officers were dispatched to the area of S. Salem Street and E. Mississippi Avenue for a person laying in the street.  When they arrived, they found an adult male unconscious in the roadway.  The male was transported to the hospital where he tragically succumbed to his injuries.  The victim’s name will be released by the Arapahoe County Coroner’s Office.

Aurora Police Department Traffic Section investigated the scene and determined the victim was crossing E. Mississippi Avenue, in the middle of the block, when he was struck by a tan SUV that then fled the scene.  As the victim lay in the street, he was again struck by another unidentified vehicle, possibly a red/burgundy truck, that also fled the scene.  At this time the suspects and their vehicles remain unidentified.   

Anyone who has information about this incident is asked to call Detective Ragain at 303.739.6351 or Metro Denver Crime Stoppers at 720.913.STOP (7867).  Tipsters may be eligible for up to a $2,000 reward. 

Detective Faith R. Goodrich
Public Information Officer
Aurora Police Department
720.432.5095

Posted by [email protected]  On Jun 17, 2020 at 11:10 AM
  
Create & DIY for adults

Mythological Wine Glasses 
With Stacy 


We’re already half way through June and Summer of Imagination is in full swing - the perfect time to break out those plain old wine glasses and transform them into your own personalized wine glass set with this mythology and fantasy themed painting tutorial!  For details on how to paint on wine glasses, click here; for details on curing the paint, click here.

Supplies: 
- Wine glass (or any glassware of choice) 
- Non-Toxic Acrylic Paint 
- Paintbrushes (medium and small) 
- Plate or Palette 
- Paper and Sharpie 
- Paper Towels  


 

Below you’ll find the dragon design that I created. You’re welcome to use it to follow along!  

Dragon Template

Want to expand for mythological wine set? No problem! Below designs I created to create a full mythological and fantasy set!

Cerberus: 
Cerberus

Minotaur & Labyrinth: (Side A)
Minotaur & Labyrinth: (Side A)

Minotaur & Labyrinth: (Side B)
Minotaur & Labyrinth: (Side B)

Siren/Mermaid:
Siren/Mermaid

Unicorn:
Unicorn

Kraken:
Kraken

Show us your mythical wine glasses in the comments below! 
Posted by [email protected]  On Jun 17, 2020 at 11:09 AM
  
A message from Chief Wilson regarding the termination of an Aurora Police Officer:

"Today, I terminated the employment of Officer Joshua Teeples. Officer Teeples was arrested on August 27th, 2019, following an off-duty hit and run crash where he was also intoxicated. Officer Teeples was hired in June 2017.

Immediately following Officer Teeples arrest, he was placed on restricted duty while we conducted an IA investigation. At the conclusion of the Internal Affairs investigation, this case was sent to the Chiefs Review Board who recommended that he be terminated. Following the Chiefs Review Board’s recommendations, the case was sent to our Independent Review Board, comprised of community and sworn department members, who unanimously agreed on the termination decision.

After taking over as the Interim Police Chief, it has been my duty to rebuild the trust within our community and hold my officers accountable for their actions. The actions and decisions made by my officers, whether on-duty or off, always need to reflect the professionalism that APD, City Officials and the Aurora residents expect of them."


Officer Matthew Longshore
Public Information Officer
Aurora Police Department
720-432-5095
Posted by [email protected]  On Jun 15, 2020 at 4:15 PM
  
Read It!

Family Book Club 
with Tess

"The Turnaway Girls" by Haley Chewins
Chapters 11-21

The Turnaway Girls


- What do you think of Blightsend? I imagine an island full of strange fruit and mystical birds. 
- Why do you think everyone has their role and cannot change it? The masters make music, the turnaway girls turn the music into shimmer. No one thinks to do anything different... except Delphernia, Bly, and Linna. What would you do if you lived there?
- What do you think the birds represent? Delphernia can turn her own singing into golden birds but Bly captures one. She also has a special connection with cloisterwings. 
- Delphernia wants to be free but has a secret she is afraid will mean her death. Do you think she'll ever tell?
- Do you think the Childer-Queen is a good character or a bad one? Does she have a secret she is afraid to share?

Leave your thoughts in the comments below! Next week we'll discuss chapters 22-31.
Posted by [email protected]  On Jun 15, 2020 at 1:17 PM 1 Comment
  
Making Magic: Crafts for Kids

Flying Dragons
by Jennifer

This dragon craft will have kids roaring and smiling and wanting their dragon to fly over and over again.

Supplies: 
- Toilet Paper Roll
- Construction paper
- Glue
- Marker
- Pencil
- Scissors
- Ruler
- String or yarn
- Googly eyes (optional)



Posted by [email protected]  On Jun 15, 2020 at 12:46 PM
  
Read It!

**Video may contain spoilers**
Join APL staff each week for a discussion of some of their current reads! Each week they will discuss a book from a different genre. Join the discussion live on at Facebook.com/AuroraLibrary each Friday at 1 p.m. (MST) and leave your thoughts in the comments below! 



The next discussion will be at 1 p.m. on June 12, 2020 on our Facebook page and will feature "Fire Logic" by Laurie J. Marks (available instantly on hoopladigital.com).

Other upcoming titles, all available instantly from hoopla digital, include:
 - June 26, "Get a Life, Chloe Brown" (Part 1 of The Brown Sisters Series) by Talia Hibbert
- July 3, "Reclaiming Home" by Lesego Malepe
- July 10, "Desperadoes" by Ron Hansen
Posted by [email protected]  On Jun 14, 2020 at 9:07 AM
  
Read It!

Review of "Into the Water" by Paula Hawkins
by Nicole S.

As promised, I am giving you my review of the second book that was picked for my virtual book club. One of the great things about participating in book clubs is you get to know a sense of other people’s reading tastes and discover books you normally wouldn’t have picked for yourself. For our second book I got to pick the title which ended up being “Into the Water” by Paula Hawkins. 

"Into the Water" by Paula Hawkins
Check it out from Aurora Public Library here! 

Paula Hawkins was originally a journalist for 15 years before she became a bestselling author. Her most popular book, “The Girl on the Train”, ended up becoming a bestseller worldwide selling almost 20 million copies! It was then made into a movie starring Emily Blunt, Rebecca Ferguson and Justin Theroux in 2016. Both “The Girl on the Train” and “Into the Water” are great examples of a psychological thriller. 

Into the Water tells about how a single mother turns up dead at the bottom of the river that runs through town. Not much earlier, a teenage girl was found dead in the same river – and these are not the only women to have met the same dark, watery fate. Each death brings up more and more secrets that were meant to stay hidden. Fifteen-year-old Lena Abbott is left to be cared for by her estranged aunt Julia. As Julia, fearful of her once-home, stays to care for Lena, she learns more about her sister, the residents of Beckford and the secrets they kept submerged.  

I was such a big fan of Hawkins's first novel, “The Girl on the Train”. When I found out she wrote another stand alone novel I knew I just had to read it. One of my favorite elements of a psychological thriller is the unreliable narratives. The characters telling you the story may not be entirely truthful or are only telling you the story from their perspective. As time goes on you find out more and more of the story from other characters and it is now your job to piece together the truth. That is the same with this story. The story looks at many different character perspectives (from Jules Abbott to Lena to the neighbor Louise Whittaker and so on) and each one is telling you part of the story as well as their own. It’s up to you to weave them together to find the truth. Each character has their own secrets that you discover and you learn that not every person is good or bad. You make your own judgments based on each character’s actions. You also start to identify with one or more of the characters as time goes on. One of the other elements I enjoy is the suspense and the emotions you feel during a read like this. There is the original question of whether Lena Abbott’s mother, Danielle (Nel), committed suicide or was murdered. At each chapter that question gets more and more muddled and you are just along for the ride as you find out what really happened with Nel and the other women that were found in the river. It is a real page turner that throws multiple curveballs and leaves you at the end with chills.  

For those that enjoy psychological thrillers like this, check out authors like Gillian Flynn and Megan Abbott.
Next time I will tell you about our third pick which falls into the fantasy category, “The Last Wish: Introducing The Witcher” by Andrzej Sapkowski. 
Posted by [email protected]  On Jun 14, 2020 at 9:07 AM
  
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