Color Our World Nonfiction Picture Book Recommendations

Forsyth County Public Library's Summer Reading Fun theme is Color Our World. These nonfiction picture books explain the unique dying process used to create the colors indigo and purple and the historical significance of both colors.  

My Indigo World:  A True Story of the Color Blue by Rosa Chang

A young girl in Korea falls in love with the color blue of the ocean and sky. Years later, as an adult living in the United States she receives a handful of indigo seeds that she plants on a small farm in Baltimore and learns to make beautiful dye from its leaves.  

My Indigo World explains the process of making indigo dye and the meaning of the color in different cultures. While the deep blue reminds the author of her home in Korea, she learns that the same unique shade of blue reminds other people of their ancestors who were forced to work in fields to harvest indigo plants in the United States.

Staff Picks Masked Hero: How We Lien-teh Invented the Mask that Ended an Epidemic by Dr. Shan Woo Liu and Kaili Liu Gormley

Masked Hero: How We Lien-teh Invented the Mask that Ended an Epidemic by Dr. Shan Woo Liu and Kaili Liu Gormley; Illustrated by Lisa Wee

In 2020, N95 masks protected people from spreading the COVID-19 virus to others. Did you know that the earliest version of the N95 mask was invented over one hundred years ago in China to help control the spread of a pneumonic plague?

During the recent pandemic, Dr. Shan Woo Liu, an emergency medicine physician, realised that the N95 mask she wore while helping patients in Massachusetts General Hospital was designed like the one invented by her grandfather, Dr. Wu Lien-teh. Dr. Shan Woo Liu wrote this book to share her grandfather’s story. 

Alicia Cavitt
Information Specialist

Local Author Spotlight: Ravi Prakash, Author of Safar: An Immigrant's Journey of Life & Leadership

Safar: An Immigrant's Journey of Life & Leadership by Ravi Prakash

In Safar: An Immigrant’s Journey of Life & Leadership, Ravi Prakash describes his personal journey coming to the United States from India as a college student and rising from hourly retail jobs to leadership positions in global corporations. Through the lens of personal stories, the inspiring memoir encourages readers to lead a meaningful life. 

Safar: An Immigrant's Journey of Life & Leadership is filled with practical wisdom that demonstrates the importance of perseverance, integrity, and gratitude. While readers at any stage in their careers will gain valuable insights from Safar, it seems ideal for people experiencing a transition. “Wherever you are, you have to take the next step. You don’t have to be perfect but don’t give up. Even if you aren’t sure, show up. Growth is the way we become better.” 

Inspiring Illustrated Biographies about India's Independence

These picture books from our children's collection tell inspiring stories of two people who made unique contributions to India's independence.  

She Sang For India: How M.S. Subbulakshim Used Her Voice For Change by Suma Subramaniam; Illustrated by Shreya Gupta

Kunjamma loved to sing at home with her family, but when she was growing up in early 1900s India, girls were not allowed to attend concerts or perform in public. Kunja’s mother encouraged her to sing at school. A man in the audience loved her singing so much that he encouraged her to make a record when she was only ten.  As more people heard her sing, she received invitations to perform at concerts, including charity concerts for Mahatma Gandhi when he was fighting for India’s independence. She Sang for India is an inspiring biography and illuminating history lesson filled with colorful illustrations. 

 

Picture Books for Mental Health Awareness Week May 12 through May 16

May is Mental Health Awareness Month, a national observance focused on raising awareness about mental health and well-being. Mental Health Awareness Week is May 12-16 and serves as an opportunity to reduce stigma and promote resources for mental health support. The theme of Mental Health Awareness Month for 2025 is “Turn Awareness Into Action”.

These picture books from our collection address mental health struggles with easy to understand vocabulary and engaging illustrations.

I Think I Think A Lot by Jessica Whipple; Illustrated by Josee Bisaillon

Overthinkers young and old will enjoy this beautifully illustrated picture book that asks whether other people have extensive internal dialogs, question their choices, and worry if they've inadvertently caused offense or been misunderstood. 

Author Jessica Whipple says she wrote I Think I Think A Lot for people like herself who are managing obsessive-compulsive disorders and to share a bit of her own experience as a child who was obsessed with "being good."  

Unreadable: Podcast Transcript - May 2025

Summer Reading is just around the corner, and in this episode of Unreadable, Ross is joined by Sarah Brubaker, Programming Manager at FCPL, to discuss how to make the most of this year's Summer Reading Fun! Sarah shares how to get started using Beanstack, as well as some tips and tricks for logging your and your family's reading.

Curious about our incremental and grand prizes, or want to know who is performing at our Summer Reading Kickoff Events? Sarah provides a sneak peak of what you can expect this year. Hint: It's going to be awesome! 

Summer Reading Fun starts May 22 and ends August 4, 2025. You can learn more about registering with Beanstack, prizes, and upcoming events on our website. 

Introducing: BYO Book: Dialogues at Denmark

 

With a new library comes new and exciting programs! The Denmark Library is hosting a new program series called “BYO Book: Dialogues at Denmark”. The group meets once a month on Sundays at 2:00 p.m.

Unlike other book clubs, BYO Book meets to discuss a chosen topic instead of a single book title. This program is ideal for those who love reading, but reading is never a requirement! If you like learning about new subjects and are interested in getting new book recommendations then this is the place for you too. 

The Zoo Atlanta Partnership with Georgia Libraries Ends May 31

After 14 years and over 500,000 circulations state-wide, Zoo Atlanta is ending its Library Pass partnership with Georgia Public Library Service (GPLS). 

“We are sad to learn that this partnership is coming to an end,” said FCPL Director Adrianne Junius. “Our patrons love the Library Pass to Zoo Atlanta and it provided an opportunity some families may not have had otherwise." 

The Zoo Atlanta passes will be removed from our collection at the close of business on Saturday, May 31, 2025. Library Passes and vouchers that are checked out through May 31 can be redeemed at Zoo Atlanta through June 30, 2025.

“It’s always checked out from my library anyway,” said one person on the GPLS Facebook announcement today. 

That tracks. This was definitely one of our more popular partnership passes! In fact, the first two items checked out from the Denmark Library just minutes after it opened on March 27 were both Library Passes to Zoo Atlanta! 

Although we are sad to lose this opportunity for our patrons, we would like to remind you that we have eleven other museum and park passes in our collection, and new partnerships are added all the time. Just last year Alliance Theater, Shakespeare Tavern Playhouse Family Theater, and Mimm’s Museum of Technology and Art (formerly known as the Computer Museum of America) were added to this program. 

We at Forsyth County Public Library would like to extend a sincere thank you to Zoo Atlanta and GPLS for providing this opportunity to so many of our patrons over the years. 

Check out all our current partnership passes at ForsythPL.org/passes

Leslie Marinelli
FCPL Communications Manager

Picture books about the Hawaiian Islands for Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month

During Asian Pacific Islander Month, Forsyth County Public Library highlights Asian and Pacific Islander cultures. These picture books from our Easy collection feature inquisitive young girls living in the Hawaiian Islands. 

Aloha Everything by Kaylin Melia George and Mae Waite

A young girl learns about her island home and heritage in a picture book that depicts vibrant scenes of native Hawaiians alongside the island's breathtaking scenery. This beautifully illustrated book describes Hawaii's colorful plant life and animals of the land and sea.  

Staff Picks: Rental Person Who Does Nothing by Shoji Morimoto

I've always been fascinated by the unique culture of Japan. Here are two of my favorite recent reads from the Land of the Rising Sun.

Rental Person Who Does Nothing by Shoji Morimoto

When Shoji Morimoto’s boss criticized his job performance and accused him of doing nothing, Morimoto wondered if doing nothing could become his life’s work. In 2018 he started accepting requests to show up and do nothing. It’s a unique hobby that’s proved worthwhile as thousands of customers in and around Tokyo have requested Morimoto’s humble presence. 

Morimoto candidly describes the types of requests he receives. He’s been asked to share meals with strangers, wave to departing vacationers, visit people in the hospital, and accompany people on various outings.  

Morimoto rejects the idea that one's worth dereives from their productivity and says, “people have a value even if they do nothing.” 

This slim memoir is an interesting look at modern Japanese culture and the universal desire for human connection. I love the fact that Shoji Morimoto found people who would appreciate his presence in silence and that he was able to author an international bestseller while “doing nothing.” 

What Patrons Love Most About Forsyth County Public Library

 

Last month, Sharon Forks Library patrons were asked what they love most about Forsyth County Public Library. 

Twenty-eight patrons filled out response cards sharing what brings them to the library. Many patrons complimented the library’s books, staff, and atmosphere.  

Here are a few examples of what patrons told us they love about Forsyth County Public Library. 

I like the different varieties of book in the collection in this library. Staff is super helpful and the ambiance is also very nice. I appreciate and feel blessed to have this library.

I love the children's section. It's a bright place with many books. 

This library is a place where people from here and there can read books and little children can imagine so many things at the library. Thank you.

Volunteer Appreciation Week

Last week we celebrated Volunteer Appreciation Week at all our library locations with special treats and service awards. 

We have 37 active volunteers system-wide (not counting our summer VolunTEENS), and they provide a tremendous service for us by supporting our employees’ efforts to restock our shelves and provide outstanding programs for our community. 

Here is more information about what makes our volunteers so special as told by a number of our supervisors: 

CUMMING LIBRARY

The Cumming Library has six volunteers who assist with both shelving and programming. “We are so fortunate to have such a dedicated team of volunteers. In fact, three decided they wanted to go back out and shelve after our celebration of them last week!” said Cumming Library Branch Manager Joan Dudzinski. “We appreciate them all so much and couldn't get it all done without them,” continued Joan. Ann Tallant received her five year volunteer service award and Tim Meanor received his ten year volunteer service award at Cumming Library last week. 

DENMARK LIBRARY

“We currently have three volunteers helping with shelving and two volunteers to assist with programming. We were fortunate to have seven volunteers help us unpack hundreds of boxes of books, sort them, and get them on the shelves before we opened in March. We couldn’t have done it without them! One of those volunteers liked it so much she took a paid position with us as a Collection Support Aide, and two other pre-opening volunteers stayed on to continue helping.

Inspiring Illustrated Biographies for Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month

In 1978, May was designated as Asian American Pacific Islander Month to commemorate the first Japanese immigrant to arrive in the United States on May 7, 1843. May was also chosen as way to remember the Chinese immigrants who worked tirelessly to create the first transcontinental railroad in America from May of 1843 through May of 1869.  These illustrated biographies highlight the contributions of two scientists who came to the United States from China.

Mr. Pei's Perfect Shapes: The Story of Architect I.M. Pei by Julie Leung; Illustrated by Yifan Wu

Inspired by nature, Ioeh Ming Pei imagined buildings that would last as long at the rock formations at the Suzhou gardens he visited as a boy in China. Mr. Pei studied architecture to design skyscrapers and beautiful buildings. One of Mr. Pei's first projects was the two-story Gulf Oil corporate office building he built in Atlanta in 1949. He later designed larger and more impressive structures like the Louvre Pyramid in Paris, the John F. Kennedy Presidential Library and Museum in Boston, the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in Cleveland, and the Suzhou Museum in the place that inspired his visionary designs, Suzhou, China.