What should you never leave home without, especially if you are taking a trip?  A travel guide, of course!  As summer gets closer and students will be out of school for the summer, it's time to think about vacations and where to go.  To help you plan your summer vacation, we have a new display of travel guides for traveling in our 50 states and also outside the country.  Please plan a trip to the library and browse the display.  If we don't have the travel guide you need, please ask us and we will interlibrary loan one for you.  Happy Summer Vacation Planning!

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Although Maurice Sendak the man is now no longer with us, he has left an outstanding number of internationally acclaimed children's picture books to charm and delight young readers (and older readers, too!) now and in the future.  To honor this great writer and illustrator, we have a special display of his books here at the Fairbanks Branch Library for your browsing pleasure.  On your next visit, please have a look and I bet you will find a title that you fondly remember reading and will want to read again and share with others.  Keep Reading!

Sharks!  Crocodiles!  Snakes!  Pretty scary creatures, especially with their sharp and deadly teeth.  Yet, they are fascinating to read about (move over, dinosaurs!).  Want to know more about these creatures that can really take a "bite" out of reading?  Check out our newest display--"Bite Into a Good Book!"  These books will just whet your appetite to learn more.  Happy Reading!

I bet some people are asking what do I mean by "May the 4th Be With You!"  If you are a fan of the "Star Wars" books and movies, then you probably already know that it is a fun re-phrasing of "May the force be with you" from the movies.  In celebration of "Star Wars" and all those who enjoy space adventure stories, there is a display of "Star Wars" books here at the Fairbanks Branch Library.  Stop by.  Take a look.  Check out some books.  It's what any good Jedi Knight would do! !

One way that the Fairbanks Branch Library will celebrate Asian-Pacific Heritage Month is during the regularly scheduled Preschool Story Time for Tuesday, May 01.  We will be sharing some favorite stories from Asian folklore as well as some of our favorite songs and a craft activity.  Please join us and Happy Reading!

The Spring season certainly has begun in Houston and more and more plants and trees are growing and showing lots of bright colors.  I have noticed more flowers blooming recently and gathered a selection of books from the library collection for a display on flowers.  If you need some good books as resources for what flowers to plant for this area and how to take care of them, please come by the Fairbanks Branch and we can help you find what you need.  As always, if we do not have the material here, we can interlibrary loan it for you.  Happy Reading and Happy Gardening!

As April 1st comes closer, all you kids--and some adults, too--may be thinking about some of your favorite jokes and riddles you like to share with your friends and family.  To help you find new knock-knock jokes, elephant jokes, shaggy dog stories, riddles, and other funny material, please browse our "The Funny Zone" display of books.  You do not want to be caught short when someone asks you, "How can you tell if an elephant has been in your refrigerator?"  Happy Reading!  

Do you remember having a story or stories read to you at bedtime?  You probably had some favorite bedtime stories--I know that I certainly did.  To help you find some of those favorite bedtime stories and to discover some new stories to share, there is a new display for your browsing pleasure--"Bedtime Stories."  You will find stories about dreams, stories about wishes, lots and lots of stories!  Please take a look and checkout some stories to share.  Happy Reading!

One of the first things you learn when you live in the Houston area is that if you do not like the weather, then just wait for an hour or so and the weather probably will change.  We certainly have had quite a few days lately of warm, muggy weather alternating with days of cooler weather for which you need to wear a coat or jacket.  And, lots and lots of rain the last few days as well.  Weather often changes dramatically, so we have created a new display of books about the weather for your browsing pleasure.  Please take a look on your next visit to the library and checkout some titles.  If you do not find what you need, please ask us and we will interlibrary loan material for you.  Happy Reading! 

Would you like to learn more about the lives of some of the women who have made major contributions to history?  Do want to learn more about some of the important health issues and concerns for women?  Then please browse our two new displays here at the Fairbanks Branch Library:  "Women's History" and "Women's Health Resources."  You fill find informational books about health issues, and also biographies of some famous women throughout history.  If you don't find what you need, please tell us and we will interlibrary loan what you need.  Happy Reading!