Aurora Public Library Blog

Welcome to Aurora Public Library’s blog. A place where our library staff share their thoughts, insider knowledge and overall love of all things book and community.

Feel free to comment on posts, re-blog and enjoy. To ensure a civil and focused discussion, comments will be held for a brief period before being published.



Recent Posts
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August 2020 - Posts
Create It!

Make It Monday: Sea Shore Centerpiece
with Karen

It's another #MakeItMonday! Summer may be fading to fall, but you can keep summer vibes going year around with this sea shore centerpiece! Karen shares this easy DIY that brings a bit of the beach to Colorado!
Posted by [email protected]  On Aug 17, 2020 at 11:38 AM
  

Game on!
Game reviews by Brandon, Elizabeth, Kristin, Stacy, Justine, and Sue.

Hello everyone! We hope you’ll enjoy these reviews for free games to entertain you! These are a mix of browser and smartphone games, and none of them will cost you anything to play.
Today's theme
Tired of slime and bubble wrap? Check out these oddly satisfying games!

Game One
Little Alchemy 
A free game available on your app store (Apple/Android) and web browsers  

Little Alchemy

Nothing exists except the four elements- air, earth, fire, and water. By mixing two of these rudimentary ingredients at a time, you can create new objects from scratch. (For example: “water” + “earth” = mud.) You can discover over 500 different items! This game isn’t just about the finish line, but it’s about the journey, too! I didn’t expect to chuckle as many times as I did playing this game. You’ll be pleasantly surprised at how simple yet elusive the combinations can be. You might have to think outside the box at times, but if you get stuck, Little Alchemy offers hints to help. You can play this charming, clever game at your own pace. Try making one of my favorite combinations: “bread” + “fire” makes... “toast”! - Sue

Game 2
Blendoku
A free game available on your app store (Apple/Android)
blendoku
Blendoku isn’t your average puzzle game: there are no numbers or letters. Instead, you get to play with colors! The level gives you a couple tiles to start with, and you’ve got to drag the remaining tiles onto the playboard. The colors must blend seamlessly to adjacent tiles. The result is an aesthetically pleasing color palette. I find the bright hues and mellow sound effects soothing. I prefer taking my time, but if you’re feeling competitive, you can solve the puzzles as fast you can and see if you can beat your own personal record. - Sue

Game 3
Soap Cutting
A free game available on your app store (Apple/Android)
Soap Cutting

If you’re like me, I can watch soap cutting video clips non-stop. While those videos can be uber gratifying, they result in lots of waste. Now, we can enjoy all the satisfaction of cutting soap without the waste or the mess! In this game, you get to slice colorful bars of soap into perfect, tiny cubes. The combination of crisp sound effects, smooth graphics, and just the right amount of haptic feedback brings this app to life. You might even discover some hidden prizes as you’re slicing away!

Tell us what you think!

 What game is your favorite? Tell us some of your other favorite games in the comments!
Posted by [email protected]  On Aug 13, 2020 at 2:33 PM 11 Comments
  
Let's Get Gardening with Tagawa Gardens: Planting a Fall Veggie Garden

Let's get gardening! We have partnered with our friends at Tagawa Gardens for a series of gardening videos showing tips and tricks to get your garden growing!

Summer may be winding down, but that doesn't mean gardening has to stop! This week, Luan shares some tips on creating a late summer/early fall vegetable garden, featuring a variety of yummy veggies - and even herbs!
Posted by [email protected]  On Aug 13, 2020 at 2:30 PM
  
A Yarn About the World - Iceland
with Tyler

Our resident globetrotter Tyler shares his travel experiences. This time, take a trip to Iceland. Tyler shares the history of the country and some of its highlights, both man-made and natural, including Aurora Borealis! 

Share your thoughts and questions in the comments below!
Posted by [email protected]  On Aug 12, 2020 at 9:22 AM
  
Read It!

Family Book Club
with Tess 

August's Book: "One Crazy Summer" by Rita Williams-Garcia

One Crazy Summer


Chapters 1-8: "Cassius Clay Clouds" to "Glass of Water"

1. Do you know who Cassius Clay/Muhammad Ali was? Look him up! Why would Delphine describe the bumpy airplane ride as a "Cassius Clay-left-and-a-right jab"?
2. Have you ever been to California? What would you want to do if you could go?
3. Have you ever flown in a plane? How did you like it?
4. The girls' mother, Cecile, is cold and mean. Do you think she will change by the end of the book?
5. What do you think Cecile is hiding in the kitchen?
6. Remember that this novel takes place in 1968 - 52 years ago! With your parents' permission, look up some history of that year. What was going on in America? Why did the sisters feel they needed to be on their best behavior? Why were there so few other African Americans on the flight? Even the term "Negro" is a word we would not use today. What other differences have you noticed?

Share your thoughts on the book so far in the comments below!

Join us in discussing "One Crazy Summer" live on Zoom! We'll be meeting at 5 p.m. on Monday, Aug. 31. Sign up for the Zoom program here. 

Posted by [email protected]  On Aug 10, 2020 at 3:03 PM 1 Comment
  
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