Planning is well underway for a community garden west of our branch. Calgary Public Library is excited to embark on this project as our garden teams, drawn from interested community members, are working to establish and eventually manage the garden.

Currently, garden teams are busy with Design & Layout, Financials and Membership. The initial design includes individual plots, a gathering place and a composting system. Site development is scheduled to take place in May with planting to begin in June!

This venture would not be possible without the generous donations of time and funds from Encana, the City of Calgary, the Calgary Garden Resource Network and countless community volunteers.

As this is a truly organic process, there is room for the growth of ideas as well as carrots, a place to sit and ponder or read, an opportunity to learn, to care and to share with one and all.

A customer today was taking out Roald Dahl's, Charlie and the Chocolate Factory for her son. Which got us talking about the nostalgic factor these children books bring for us. Having said that she was looking forward to reading the book again got me thinking about some of the children's books that I loved as a kid that I would like to reaquaint myself with.

Of course, Charlie and the Chocolate Factory brought me great joy as I had always wanted a golden ticket to that magical factory! How could you not love edible chocolate rooms, chocolate bars that come out of your tv set, and cavity-filling caramels (something adults would probably appreciate more).

Charlotte's Web by E.B. White was actually my favourite book as a child, to this day I still enjoy reading my tattered well used copy I had recieved back in grade 1! Quite odd though considering that I have a fear of spiders , but Charlotte the spider was one I'd never shy away from. Maybe it was because of adorable Wilbur the pig who's life is spared by the brave Fern.

Sound off and let us know about your favourite children's book that you would love to read over and over again!

-Leeanna

This age old poem reminds us all of the wonderful sightings of spring, take it all in!

Spring has sprung;
The grass has ris.
I wonder where
The birdie is?

There he is
In the sky.
He dropped some
Whitewash in my eye!

I am no sissy;
I won't cry.
I'm just glad
That cows can't fly!

Solveig is the second daughter of the king, neither heir to the throne like her younger brother nor beautiful like her older sister. She and her siblings have been sent away to a remote, frozen hideaway to remain safe while their father is at war. Then the king sends a group of his deadly berserker warriors to watch over them. But it will be a long winter, trapped in their fortress with limited food. And soon it's clear that there is a traitor among them.

Solveig is a brave girl, but humble and unaware of her true potential. It's soon apparent that she's a talented storyteller, so she begins to apprentice with her father's bard.
Readers of all ages should enjoy this fascinating story of honor, betrayal, and mystery. Icefall is an amazing book that will make you not want to put it down until it is done.