New Books at Dragonwings

Bearwalker by Joseph Bruchac (HarperCollins $15.99)

Twelve-year-old Baron figures that the class camping trip will just provide the bullies in his class with more opportunities to push him around, but the camp has new owners and a scary staff. Soon people are missing, a landslide blocks the road, the phone lines are cut, and it's getting dark. How can Baron get to the rock ledge where his cell phone will work, when he is being chased by bears and tracked by a bloodthirsty monster? The suspense will keep you awake until you finish the story, guaranteed.

Wilderness by Roddy Doyle (Scholastic $16.99)

Johnny and Tom, two ordinary, bickering brothers don't notice that their family is at a crossroads. They are thrilled to be going to northern Finland for an adventure vacation with their mom. Back in Ireland their teen-age step-sister is about to meet her birth mother, hoping to leave Ireland and her tiresome family behind. Then one evening, after they have been out all day on dogsleds, the boys' mother doesn't return to the lodge. It's up to the boys to rescue their family.

Paint the Wind by Pam Munoz Ryan (Scholastic $16.99)

After living a joyless and restricted life with her grandmother, Maya was afraid of the changes that moving to Wyoming would bring. She had never met these relatives, her grandpa known as Moose, his brother Fig, his sister Vi, and Payton, her cousin, who chooses to torment her. When Aunt Vi teaches her to ride and they spend the summer camped in teepees near the wild mustang herds, Maya falls in love with horses, begins to feel confident, and becomes part of the family. Meet a warm and wise family and the horses that they love.

Curious George at Dragonwings

Curious George Event Photos
Talk about cute photos! You can find the whole collection by clicking here for our public photo page, which allows you to view them in a slide show, order prints, and more. We'll leave them up for a month, so you will have plenty of time to make copies.
Dragonwings will be having an end-of-season clearance sale on Labor Day weekend. The early bird sale on Thursday will only be advertised on our website. Check back here for more details.

Meet the Author: Jody Fickes Shapiro Monday August 20 at 1:00 PM Family Lullaby is our favorite new bedtime book - it was just released in May! You are invited to meet Jody and hear her speak about baby bedtime rituals, and the importance of reading to babies. She will also read selections from Family Lullaby and from Up, Up, Up It's Apple Picking Time. Following her brief presentation, Jody will be signing copies of her books and will be happy to personalize them for your family or for a gift. An autographed and personalized bedtime book makes a great baby gift. If you can't make it on Monday to meet Jody, but would like signed copies of her books, give us a call at 715-256-9186 and we will set some aside for you.

Family Lullaby by Jody Fickes Shapiro
(HarperCollins $16.99)

In this gentle, bedtime story everyone in the family, even the pets, help take care of the baby throughout the day. The quiet rhythms and reassuring refrain weave a simple song of love for the baby and for the family. The illustrations are humorous with soft colors and an adorable baby. We love this story. Yes, we do.

Curious George is Coming!


Meet Curious George on August 18 at Dragonwings Bookstore.

Curious George Picnic Party
at Dragonwings Bookstore

Children are invited to a Picnic Party with the famous, mischievous monkey Curious George at Dragonwings Bookstore on Saturday, August 18. Activities will include games, crafts, and reading aloud from Curious George Flies a Kite. Following the games banana snacks will be served, Curious George will arrive, and each child will have a chance wear the Big Yellow Hat and get their picture taken with Curious George.

Reservations for this event can be made by calling Dragonwings Bookstore at 715-256-9186 or by signing up at the storefront in downtown Waupaca at 108 N. Main St. The cost for the event is $10 and includes a Curious George book and an easy to fly, colorful, nylon kite for each child. Parents are always welcome to attend for free, although seating is reserved. Picnic times are 10:00 AM or 12:00 PM. Photos will be available at this website following the event.

While you are in town for Curious George, be sure to visit the Art Fair on the Square, just a half block away from Dragonwings. There will be live entertainment, street performers, an expanded Farmers Market, children's activities, and lots of art! For more info go to the Waupaca Community Arts Board website.

Chocolate and Pastries in Paris
I have to admit that I have wandered the streets of Paris hungry and freezing in the wind and rain more than once, but that was before I discovered The Great Book of Chocolate by David Lebovitz. Talk about transformations! My last two trips to Paris were fabulous explorations of chocolate shops, patisseries and tea salons, using his Paris chapter as a guidebook. The places he recommends aren't always easy to find, but it was fun walking through neighborhoods beyond the museum circuit searching for a certain tiny shop that makes exquisite chocolates or divine ice cream. Like Goldilocks and the three Bears, we taste-tested thick, rich hot chocolates, delicate macarons, crisp pain au chocolat, and lemon tarts that made me want to sing a song of gratitude to lemon trees everywhere. If you are planning a trip to Paris, stop in and pick up a copy of The Great Book of Chocolate at Dragonwings, and I'll be happy to share some tips on how to find the shops, where we had a perfect Sunday brunch, and where I found unusual, hand-made florentines - chewy and luscious.