Summer-themed Famous Paintings

Bigger Splash by David Hockney

Bigger Splash by David Hockney

Bigger Splash by David Hockney

Sunday Afternoon on the Island of La Grande Jatte by Georges Seurat

Sunday Afternoon on the Island of La Grande Jatte by Georges Seurat

Sunday Afternoon on the Island of La Grande Jatte by Georges Seurat

Wheat Field with Cypresses by Vincent Van Gogh

Wheat Field with Cypresses by Vincent Van Gogh

Wheat Field with Cypresses by Vincent Van Gogh

Sunflowers by Vincent Van Gogh

Sunflowers by Vincent Van Gogh

Sunflowers by Vincent Van Gogh

At the Seaside by William Merritt Chase

At the Seaside by William Merritt Chase

At the Seaside by William Merritt Chase

Running Along the Beach by Joaquín Sorolla

Running Along the Beach by Joaquín Sorolla

Running Along the Beach by Joaquín Sorolla

The Beach at Trouville by Claude Monet

The Beach at Trouville by Claude Monet

The Beach at Trouville by Claude Monet

Children Playing On The Beach by Mary Cassatt

Children Playing On The Beach by Mary Cassatt

Children Playing On The Beach by Mary Cassatt

Precious Jewels by the Sea by Amy Sherald

Precious Jewels by the Sea by Amy Sherald

Precious Jewels by the Sea by Amy Sherald

Rhyl Sands by David Cox

Rhyl Sands by David Cox

Rhyl Sands by David Cox

Tahitian Landscape by Paul Gauguin

Tahitian Landscape by Paul Gauguin

Tahitian Landscape by Paul Gauguin

The New Moon by William Turner

The New Moon by William Turner

The New Moon by William Turner

Summer in the Catskills by George Inness

Summer in the Catskills by George Inness

Summer in the Catskills by George Inness

Georges Seurat: Bathers at Asnières

Georges Seurat: Bathers at Asnières

Georges Seurat: Bathers at Asnières

Apple Tree by Gustav Klimt

Apple Tree by Gustav Klimt

Apple Tree by Gustav Klimt

Books

If Monet painted a monster by Amy Newbold

A kid-friendly, monster-infused tour of art history told from the eyes of a hampster.

Faces, places, and inner spaces: a guide to looking at art by Jean Sousa

How do artists use faces, places, and inner spaces to express themselves? Examining “faces” in the art can help us discover how people from different cultures and times have seen themselves. By looking at “places” (landscapes and cityscapes), we can become more aware of our everyday life and appreciate what surrounds us. This book will allow young readers to be prepared to take a new look at art and to start understanding how artists shape our view of the world.

The Usborne first book of art by Rosie Dickins 

This book offers a unique and colorful introduction to the world of art for young readers.  

Art and how it works : an introduction to art for children by Ann Kay 

Take a colorful journey through the history of art from cave paintings and Renaissance art to modern graffiti. Find out how and why art is made. Explore colors, shapes, patterns and themes. Discover the world’s great artists, including Vincent Van Gogh, Pablo Picasso, Frida Kahlo, Andy Warhol, and Yayoi Kusama.

Rock art handbook : techniques and projects for painting, coloring, and transforming stones by Samantha Sarles

A guide to how to decorate rocks, utilizing a variety of decorative mediums and articles. Meant for both novices as well as experienced crafters, including a segment on projects to share with children.

Three-dimensional art adventures : 36 creative, artist-inspired projects in sculpture, ceramics, textiles, and more by Maja Pitamic

This book introduces young artists, ages 6 and up, to groundbreaking masterpieces and fresh techniques, then lets them loose. Children will: Weave a tapestry using yarn and a shoebox loom use found and recycled materials to assemble a still-life collage, Tie-dye a T-shirt using several pattern-creation techniques, etc.

Nature’s art box by Laura C. Martin

Presents more than sixty projects made from natural materials that are available almost anywhere.

Get into art: places by Susie Brooks

Introduces readers to works of art featuring “places” by such esteemed artists as Vincent van Gogh, Juan Gris, Paul Klee, Katsushika Hokusai, Raoul Dufy, Wassily Kandinsky, L.S. Lowry, Abraham Ortelius, Stuart Davis, Rene Magritte and provides instruction for “place” centered art projects.

Amazing outdoor art you can make and share by Mari Bolte

Step-by-step instructions, tips, and full-color photographs will help teens and tweens create outdoor-themed projects”– Provided by publisher.

Modern art adventures : 36 creative, hands-on projects inspired by artists from Monet to Banksy by Maja Pitamic 

Modern Art Adventures” introduces young artists to groundbreaking masterpieces and fresh techniques, then lets them loose to create their own works of art.

Create!

Now it’s your turn to get messy and make masterpieces! Gather paper, pencils, and a coloring medium such as markers, paint, or even crayons and go outdoors. Sketch the environment around you. Be sure to draw the same viewpoint at different times during the day for a fun progression. 

Summer time is outdoor time! What better way to enjoy it than to grab your tongs and spatula and grill up some awesome food for your family and friends.

Check out these books on how to grill up some old favorites or try your hand at something new.

With May here, summer is right around the corner. Soon school will be out, and the hot sunny days of lying on a beach or by the pool will be at hand. What better way to cool down on those days than with an ice-cold drink. Here is a list of cool, sweet beverages that will help kickstart your summer!

There is no better summer companion than a good book, but choosing what to read can often feel like a game of luck. This set of titles, the “lucky seven of summertime,” caters to a wide range of genres and interests. No matter which one you select, you’ll be in for a wild ride into your imagination

Love Your Life by Sophie Kinsella

This one-shot from Kinsella offers her trademark laughs with a heartwarming tale about what happens when you love a person but hate their life. The book begins with an interesting hook. The main character, Ava, is attending a romance novel writing retreat – the caveat being that the would-be authors cannot discuss their real lives or reveal their true names. During the weeklong retreat, Ava and Matt, another member, “fall in love” and revel in their carefree, “no baggage” existence together. This changes when the pair arrive home and realize they are not as compatible as they believed.  The book moves fast for the first few chapters covering the writing retreat. It slows down toward the middle as the inevitable problems arise between Ava and Matt. However, once these initial issues are at the forefront, the book regains its speed and remains a strong read throughout. Kinsella is a good humor/romance writer so the reader can forgive the sometimes cotton candy sweet plot and Ava’s occasional irrational tendencies. If you have read Kinsella’s Shopaholic series, you will no doubt notice the similarities between Ava and Rebecca Bloomwood. If you are not a fan of pet focused plot points, do note that Harold, Ava’s dog, is sometimes a big part of the narrative.

One of Us is Lying by Karen McManus

This book is marketed as YA but the action will keep anyone on the edge of their seat the entire time. The story begins like a Breakfast Club callback. Five students walk into detention. Bronwyn is the shy nerd, Cooper, the high school baseball star, Nate is a burned-out druggie, Addy is blonde and beautiful, and Simon is the writer of the school rumor website. Here McManus takes her first turn when Simon, within view of the other students, is mysteriously murdered. Tales of missing medicine, stolen phones, and car crashes soon spiral out of control. The stakes get even higher for the “Bayview Four” (as the suspected students are called) when the media reveals that each of them had a secret that Simon was threatening to tell. Each chapter focuses on a different member of the “Bayview Four”, allowing the reader to experience their different voices and vantage points as the narrative progresses. The action begins within the first few chapters, twisting and turning in unexpected ways, and doesn’t slow down until the bitter end. (I often read this in the bathtub because that’s the closest this porcelain hued librarian is getting to the beach).

A Game of Cones by  Abby Collette

This is Collette’s second book to feature the main character of Bronwyn “Win” Crewse. (The first was also ice cream themed – A Deadly Inside Scoop). However, this title can still be read on its own with just basic context. Win is a former New York detective who has retired back to her hometown in Ohio and runs her family’s ice cream shop. In an all too familiar story, a big corporation wants to buy out the charming businesses and build a mall, ruining the small town. When the corporation’s head developer is murdered under mysterious circumstances, Win and her friends decide to find out which of the irate shopkeepers had the most to lose. The plot is further complicated when a colleague of Win’s (also introduced in the first book) arrives in town to tempt Win back to big city life. You will be on your toes as the lies fly.  While this looks like a longer title on the shelf, it reads fast and is perfect for a beach weekend. It’s a “sweet” take on a mystery novel that is sure to delight readers. 

If It Bleeds by Stephen King

Look no further for chills and thrills (and a little dash of surprising sappiness) than the Master of Horror, Stephen King. This collection of short stories will keep you awake (and thinking) all night, whether you want to or not. The first of the stories is “Mr. Harrigan’s Phone.” It starts heartwarming while showing the friendship of the narrator, Craig, and his retired businessman neighbor, Mr. Harrigan. Then it turns unnerving when, after Mr. Harrigan dies, Craig learns there is something supernatural about the man’s cell phone (a gift from Craig himself). The second short is titled The Life of Chuck. As the title states, it examines the life of Chuck but in reverse, from death to childhood. This interesting prompt opens the gates for a wild ride into the meaning of life. The final two stories, the titular If It Bleeds and Rat, feature more of King’s signature horror, with a psychological twist. The latter features a reoccurring King character, Holly Gibney, investigating an odd news reporter who keeps being first on the scene of large-scale atrocities. The former brings back the classic horror scenario of a deal with the devil. Drew Larson is an unsuccessful writer trapped in his isolated writing cabin due to a storm. Delusional, Larson talks to a rat who soon can talk back. The rat promises the poor author fame and fortune if the rat can take the life of one of Larson’s family members. The stories run from about 60 to 200 pages. Since many of King’s other works can be much longer, this is recommended for anyone who wants an afternoon read. 

American Serial Killers: The Epidemic Years by Peter Vronsky

This book covers more modern serial killers such as Ted Bundy. For older killers, like Jack the Ripper, check out Vronsky’s earlier work, Sons of Cain. This book examines the period, the “Epidemic Years” as Vronsky calls them, in which there was a “surge” of serial murderers. The first few chapters are dedicated to examining why this surge occurred. The book goes down much like a smooth but disturbing podcast you can’t seem to turn off. Fans of true crime makeup artist, Bailey Sarian, will love this title. Each page turns with morbid fascination. This is a narrative into the shadowlands of society but it’s worth the read. 

Black Water Sister by Zen Cho

Author Zen Cho provides a brilliant blend of culture, fantasy, and suspense in this book. The main character, Jess, is moving her parents back to their home country of Malaysia, a place she hasn’t been since she was a child. While there, Jess discovers that she is being haunted by the ghost of her estranged, now deceased grandmother, herself a spiritual medium during her life. Jess soon learns that the spirit has unresolved issues that it wants Jess to avenge. Naturally, Jess is terrified of this supernatural being inhabiting her brain. But, she soon learns that she has more power than she realizes. A large portion of the story takes place in Malaysia and incorporates many aspects of Malaysian culture. Most of the terms are explained with context but be prepared to look up those that are less obvious. Also, many of the characters do not speak fluent English and their dialogue is written to reflect such. The book also discusses lesbianism with the relationship of Jess and her girlfriend. As well as being tied to an earthbound ghost through her grandmother, Jess is also somewhat of a “ghost” among the living.

The Queen’s Gambit by Walter Tevis

For fans of the acclaimed Netflix television series or those just looking for a good read, this novel delivers. Set in a world of competitive chess, this story makes for a fast and fulfilling read. The main heroine, Elizabeth “Beth” Harmon, is an orphan who discovers she has a remarkable talent for the game of chess. As she grows, she works to beat the game mechanics and become the greatest “grandmaster” in the world. Set into the background are Beth’s alcohol and drug addiction, life in a male dominated field, and living through the Cold War. The book makes for an easy read as most of the chapters are broken down into small sections that move smoothly from one (sometimes ill fated) action to the next. On the surface, there seems to be a lack of details on the page. However, upon further reading, the author gives the perfect amount of details to keep the reader invested instead of bogged down. There are numerous chess terms, obviously, but even those with little knowledge of chess should not find much issue with them. But be prepared if you are the kind of reader to get easily confused.

Summertime brings warmth and outdoor fun, but also lots of bugs.  We’ve got the good bugs and we’ve got the bad bugs.   Here are a few of each with a little information about them so if one of them should land on you or crawl on you, you’ll know whether to scream and run or take it easy!

First – a few of the bad bugs:

Assassin Bug: Assassin bugs are found among plants and on leaves and attack their prey by grabbing them with their front legs and stabbing them with their curved beak in order to inject a toxic saliva that liquifies their prey’s tissues. Thankfully, they are usually not aggressive towards people!

House Fly: The good news is that House Flies cannot bite since their mouth is only able to sponge up liquids.  The bad news is that they like to hang out in dumps, sewers, and garbage heaps and dine upon fecal matter and discharge from wounds.  They are suspected of transmitting over 65 types of diseases to humans. Since they tend to vomit and poop wherever they land – you definitely want to keep them away from landing on you or your food.

Hornets: These guys are the largest members of the Wasp Family and their stings have 3 times the allergic reaction rate to that of Honey Bees or Yellow Jackets.  Thankfully though, only 1 or 2 people out of a thousand have any allergic reaction to Wasp stings.  Even if you aren’t allergic, their sting is a bit painful (only the female Wasps have stingers – and they can sting repeatedly when angry) so we hope you are a fast runner!   

Ticks: Ticks are actually not insects, but are in the Arachnid family (along with Spiders and Mites). Ticks hang out in leaves and grasses and when a tasty host comes by they reach out with their front legs and climb on.  They don’t jump or fall from trees.  Since Ticks carry lots of diseases, you don’t want one of them to attach to you!  Check out this site for information on what to do if you should find one of these nasty little critters attached to you.

Monarch Butterfly: The beautiful Monarch Butterfly is native to most of North America and can travel up to 3,000 miles even though they weigh less than a paperclip!  Each autumn, Monarchs will migrate all the way to Mexico for the winter.  They lay their eggs in Milkweed plants in the spring and the young caterpillars feed exclusively on Milkweed.  As we lose more of their habitat, Monarchs are finding it difficult to find enough Milkweed.  Here are a few things we humans can do to help out:  limit or eliminate pesticide use on your lawn, plant Milkweed and nectar sources for adult butterflies such as Black-Eyed Susans (our state flower), Aster and Echinacea.

Honey Bees: Honey bees are very social insects and live in large colonies of 10,000 up to 100,000 bees.  They are not aggressive toward humans and will only sting if they feel threatened. A Honey Bee colony is very organized and has worker bees, drones, and 1 queen bee.  The queen bee’s only function is to produce lots of baby bees! Honey Bees eat nectar and pollen from flowering plants and convert the sweet nectar into honey to sustain the colony. We humans have been enjoying honey (and other bee products such as beeswax) for 8,000 years or more!

Ladybugs: There are about 5,000 different species of Ladybugs in the world and we have 4 different types in our area.  Farmers love Ladybugs because they eat many of the bugs that can damage their crops such as aphids, spider mites, whiteflies, leaf beetle larvae and some types of caterpillars.  Ladybugs can often be found on crops such as potatoes, corn, peas, beans, tomatoes, and asparagus. Ladybugs can survive our winters in sheltered locations.

Dragonflies: Dragonflies were some of the very first insects with wings to evolve around 300 million years ago! A few Dragonfly fossils have been found with wingspans as large as 2 feet. There are more than 5,000 species of known Dragonflies with 7 of them found in our area. In their larval stage, Dragonflies live in the water and will eat tadpoles, mosquitos, and other larvae.  When they are finished with their larval stage they crawl out of the water and their 4 wings will emerge and dry over the next few hours or days. Dragonflies are expert fliers and can fly straight up and down and hover like a helicopter. The adults catch their insect prey by grabbing it with their feet.  A Dragonflies eyes take up most of its head which allows it to see every angle except for directly behind it.  A single Dragonfly can eat up to hundreds of mosquitos each day and they are completely harmless to humans!

Sources:

• Maryland Department of Natural Resources
• Smithsonian Magazine
• University of Maryland Extension Home and Garden Information Center

Here are a few downloadable books and a movie if you’d like to learn more about bugs!

• Honeybee: The Life of Apis Mellifera
• Explore My World Butterflies
• Snapshot Picture Library: Bugs
• Bugs – Nature’s Little Superheroes (a movie from Hoopla)

Now buzz off and get reading!