Color Our World Adult Nonfiction Book Recommendations: When the Earth was Green by Riley Black - Adult Nonfiction

This year's Summer Reading Fun theme is Color Our World. Here is a colorful book recommendation from our adult nonfiction collection. 

When the Earth was Green by Riley Black

Alone, a dinosaur is meaningless. We put them on literal pedestals in our museums, behind glass and railings as befits their place as the world's most ancient and long-standing celebrities. But what is a Tyrannosaurus without a forest to conceal its shadow as it stalks? What is a Triceratops without a buffet of ferns and cycad fronds to eat? 

  

Riley Black            

When the Earth Was Green       

In vivid detail, science writer Riley Black describes the complex relationships between plants and animals that has evolved from 1.2 billion to 15,000 years ago along with interesting facts about biology. The scent of catnip, for instance, irresistible to our feline friends, evolved as a way for plants to defend themselves against insects. 

        

Visit Forsyth County Public Library to sign up for Summer Reading Fun and take part in summer programs for all ages. Library events are open to the public, free to attend, and all supplies are provided. Check out our digital Summer at Forsyth County Public Library magazine or pick up a copy at any branch. Please note that some programs require advance registration.

Alicia Cavitt

Information Specialist

The Museum of Fake Art at Sharon Forks Library

 

Ever since Grant Wood's painting American Gothic was first exhibited at the Art Institute of Chicago in 1930 people have debated its meaning. Some view it as a satire directed at rural communities while others see it as reflecting on hard-working farm families. How do you view this iconic painting? 

Do you notice something different in this version American Gothic?

Take a good look. It's not an exact representation.

One unique detail qualifies this image for inclusion in Sharon Fork Library's Museum of Fake Art.

Is it the curtains? The brooch? The woman's loose strand of hair?

Actually, all of those details are part of Wood's famous oil on beaverwood painting.

Have you noticed what's not exactly like Grant Woods' American Gothic painting on display at the Art Institute of Chicago?  

Color Our World Staff Picks: The Little Kid with the Big Green Hand by Matthew Gray Gubler an Juvenile Graphic Novel

The Little Kid with the Big Green Hand by Matthew Gray Gubler

What would you do if you had a big green hand? 

Lenore in Matthew Gray Gubler’s graphic novel The Little Kid with the Big Green Hand tries to hide her unusual appendage under a long scarf. Kids at school wonder why she always has a scarf wrapped about one of her hands even on the hottest days of summer and Lenore dreams of having two normal hands. Then one night, Lenore’s hand shares its own frustrating story of how it learned to accept the soft, pink blob that it’s always been attached to and Lenore gains a whole new perspective. 

Filled with simple pencil drawings, The Little Kid with the Big Green Hand is a cute and insightful story for anyone who has ever felt uncomfortable about their physical appearance and needs to relearn that our physical differences aren't what define us. 

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.

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. 

🕵️‍♀️ Where's Loanie Friday, July 19?

Where's Loanie hiding Friday, July 19, 9:30–11:00 a.m.?***

***NOTE: slightly different time than the previous weeks!

Solve these clues to find the mystery location of our bookmobile this week:

CLUE #1 for Friday, July 19:

One sprinkler is great for a backyard sized bash, but Loanie needs more for a Bookmobile splash!

🕵️‍♀️ Where's Loanie hiding Friday, July 12?

Where's Loanie hiding Friday, July 12, 10 a.m.–12 p.m.? Solve these clues to find the mystery location of our bookmobile this week:

CLUE #1 for Friday, July 12:

Our hideout is perfect, if you like to play soccer. Loanie's our goalie! She makes a great blocker!

🕵️‍♀️ Where's Loanie hiding on Friday, July 5?

It's week 5 of our county-wide bookmobile scavenger hunt!

Where's Loanie hiding on Friday, July 5, 10 a.m.–12 p.m.? Solve these clues to find the mystery location of our bookmobile this week:

CLUE #1 for Friday, July 5:

It's certainly better, down where it's wetter, but where could that be? Here where it's hotter with plenty of water, but not by the sea. 🌊

CLUE #2 for Friday, July 5:

🕵️‍♀️ Where's Loanie Friday, June 28?

Where's Loanie hiding Friday, June 28, 10 a.m.–12 p.m.? Solve these clues to find the mystery location of our bookmobile this week:

CLUE #1 for Friday, June 28:

We're bouncing with excitement and can't wait to share . . . Loanie and the librarians are catching some air!

CLUE #2 for Friday, June 28:

🕵️‍♀️ Where's Loanie Friday, June 21?

Where's Loanie hiding Friday, June 21, 10 a.m.–12 p.m.? Solve these clues to find the mystery location of our bookmobile this week:

CLUE #1 for Friday, June 21:

Center of town with food all around.

Travel with Lewis and Clark this Summer

Let's go back in time to 1804, the start of a spectacular adventure in the history of the United States of America! This is the year that Meriwether Lewis and William Clark set out on their famous expedition to explore the new territory acquired in the Louisiana Purchase. What natural wonders did Lewis and Clark view? What people did they meet on their travels? What dangers did they encounter over the course of nearly two and a half years?

Discover the history of the Lewis and Clark Expedition as presented by Ken Johnston of History Now on Saturday, June 22 at 2:00 p.m. at the Cumming Library. This program is for 6th grade through adults. Get ready to add some adventure to your life!

Melissa

Information Specialist

🕵️‍♀️ Where's Loanie on Friday, June 14?

Where's Loanie hiding Friday, June 14, 10 a.m.–12 p.m.? Solve these clues to find the mystery location of our bookmobile this week:

CLUE #1 for Friday, June 14:

Picnic tables and scenic hikes. Pickleball courts and trails for bikes. With so many things to do, I'd jot 'em down if I were you.

CLUE # 2 for Friday, June 14:

Our hideout it tricky, so I'll give you a break. We're here at the park named after the lake!

This week's Where's Loanie theme is a Bilingual Storytime which will begin at 10:30 a.m.

Read more about the Where's Loanie program series HERE. 

Library Announces County-Wide Bookmobile Scavenger Hunt

Introducing: “Where’s Loanie,” a weekly, county-wide scavenger hunt! 

As part of our "Adventure Begins at Your Library" Summer Reading Fun program, the FCPL Bookmobile, Loanie, will be parked in a different mystery location in Forsyth County every Friday, June 7–July 12, 10 a.m.–12 p.m., and Friday, July 19, 9:30–11:00 a.m.   

To uncover the mystery Bookmobile location each week, participants will need to solve 1–2 riddles posted on the Library’s Facebook, Instagram, X (formerly known as Twitter)X (formerly known as Twitter), and Threads Threads accounts (@FoCoLibrary). New clues will be posted on our social media accounts the Monday and Wednesday before each “Where’s Loanie?” event beginning June 3.

Additionally, clues will be posted weekly on our Bookmarked Blog and library staff will also have clues available in the branches each week for library patrons who aren't using social media. 

The FCPL bookmobile is a bright blue, 33 feet long mobile library launched in the fall of 2020 to support the Library’s ongoing mission to serve the entire Forsyth County community. With a collection of 3,500 books, modular furniture, hydraulic wheelchair lift, and a 22-foot awning sheltering a 72-inch television screen, the Bookmobile serves as a rolling ambassador to expand awareness about all the materials and resources Forsyth County Public Library offers Forsyth County residents. 

The Bookmobile lowers barriers to using public libraries by bringing books, technology, and resources to areas that are further away from the Library’s physical locations. The name Loanie came about in an Outreach Department meeting a few years ago when someone accidentally combined the names of two of the Bookmobile’s original staff, Lorraine and Joanie. “The name just stuck and couldn’t be more perfect for a mobile library that travels around the county loaning materials and resources for free!” said Leslie Marinelli, FCPL Communications Manager.   

FCPL Outreach staff: Christine, Kandy, Lorraine, Katie, and Jeanine

“The Bookmobile currently makes 28 scheduled stops every month at a variety of neighborhoods and schools. This scavenger hunt is a fun way for us to expand our route and partner with local businesses and organizations to bring the Library to new kid-friendly locations across the county,” said Lorraine Lane, FCPL Outreach Manager. 

“Each of the mystery locations is a fun destination for kids and families. Adding the Bookmobile to incorporate literacy is just the icing on the cake! We’re hoping families will enjoy working together to solve our clues and go on a unique adventure each week,” Lane continued. “We’ve planned a different theme for each week to make it extra fun for the kids. We’ll also have Summer Reading prizes and activities in addition to everything else you can do on the Bookmobile like get a library card, borrow or return books, use our free Wi-Fi, and more.” 

Kids who attend all seven mystery events will receive a free book. 

For more information, visit the Library’s website at ForsythPL.org or call the Library at 770-781-9840. 

Weekly Themes: 

June 7 - Science Lab

June 14 - Bilingual (Spanish) Storytime

June 21 - Wear your favorite costume!

June 28 - Dancing in the streets

July 5 - Big Games Fun

July 12 - PJ Party

*July 19 - Bubble Bonanza! (special time: 9:30–11:00 a.m.)

Leslie Marinelli
FCPL Communications Manager

Unreadable: Podcast Transcript - May 2024

Are you ready for an adventure? In our May episode of Unreadable, Kim Ottesen, Programming Manager at FCPL, previews our 2024 Summer Reading program, including prizes and performers. We've made some exciting changes this year based on your feedback, so listen to get the inside scoop on what you can expect this summer. Hint: It's going to be an ADVENTURE!

Call of the Wild at the Cumming Library

Calling all explorers! If you are an adult or high school teen looking for adventure, then the Cumming Library's Call of the Wild program series is just for you. We have a summer packed with the wildest programs imaginable, such as an escape room of treacherous adventure...

Summer Reading Success!

All good things must come to an end, including our "All Together Now" 2023 Summer Reading Challenge. 

But before we put the prize carts away, there's something we want you to know...

Ride and Read: Motorcycle Safety Demonstration and Bike Show

Zip up your jackets and put on your helmets, motorcycles are coming to the library! Have you ever wondered what it takes to hop on a motorcycle and feel the wind rushing past as you ride down the highway?

Join us at the Cumming Library on Saturday, July 15 from 1:00-3:30 p.m. for Ride and Read, a presentation from the Forsyth County Sherriff's Office on motorcycle safety and a bike demonstration in the parking lot. You'll learn what is needed to stay safe while on a motorcycle and what to be aware of as a regular motorist, and you'll see some motorcycles up close and personal.

Get ready to flip up your kickstand, twist the throttle, and ride over to the Cumming Library!

Kegan and Melissa

Information Specialists

Cumming Library

Get Inspired to Write with Cumming Library Writing Boxes

What can a writer write? Look inside a Cumming Library Writing Box for creative inspiration! 

Stories, poems, postcards, letters, recipes, memories, newsletters, zines, comics, scrolls, newspapers, treasure maps, hieroglyphics, and secret messages with codes are some examples of different ways to get students writing. 

 

The Cumming Library has two Writing Boxes available for patrons to use with everything you need to get going on one of these projects! Patrons can request a box at the Ask Us desk, take the box to a quiet table and browse for ideas to help their writing juices flow.