Books & Ideas
From the “oohs” and “ahhs” at the Agricultural Hall, you might have thought that the fair came early this year. Instead, about 100 youngsters were there for a close-up display of prestidigitation — that’s quick fingers — by Scott Jameson, the Martha’s Vineyard Library Association’s kickoff event for the summer reading program.
The Vineyard Haven Public Library Summer Reading Program for children of all ages begins July 1 and continues through August 31. This year, the statewide theme is Go Green at Your Library. Children are encouraged to visit the library, sign up, keep a log of books read and attend programs, which will include story times, crafts, chess club, teen time, teen night and several film showings.
By LIZ DURKEE
NIGHTTIDE ON A VINEYARD FARM. Lyric by Patty Schaal, Illustrations by Margot Datz. Vineyard Stories, Edgartown, 2010. $21.95, hardcover.
Sadly, I am no longer a child. Far from it. I may act like one at inappropriate times, but that’s a skill that probably hinders rather than helps write a children’s book review.
But I’ll have at it. Reviewing other people’s artistic creations is far easier than creating one’s own.
COOLER HEADS. By William Harlan Richter. Small Fry Books, Santa Monica, Calif. 2010. 333 pages. $14.95, softcover.
Historic Renovation
The Summer Institute at the Martha’s Vineyard Hebrew Center opens its six-week speaker series on Thursday, July 8, with a pair of panelists whose authority on matters of global politics is considered unmatched. Martin Indyk is vice president and director of the Foreign Policy Program at the Brookings Institution. Previously, he was founding director of the Saban Center for Middle East Policy at Brookings and a Brookings senior fellow. He served as U.S. ambassador to Israel from 1995 to 1997 and from 2000 to 2001.