Bugzy full size

Bugzy full size
Bugzy is an original design and creation by illustrator Tara Calahan King. Fabricated by: Ron Schlemmer.

Monday, September 30, 2013

Meet my mother

Greetings Everyone!  Hope you had a great weekend!  

Today is a very special day on Bugzy's blog (that's me!).  You get to meet my mother, the noted illustrator and (may I brag, very talented) illustrator Tara Callahan King.  She's been so great with me, I'm a very lucky guy.  And the good folks at the library have told me they are very fortunate to have her working with them.  

I could go on and on about how wonderful she is, how kind, patient, caring, thoughtful, talented, intelligent my mother is.  And she really is, I'm not just saying that because I'm biased!  I will get to the interview that I recorded with her recently.  Here is a photo of her, in case you have never seen one:

Tara Callahan King
Illustration of herself

Bugzy:  Greetings Mom!!  How great to see you again.

Tara:  Great to see you too.  Always glad to talk to you.


Bugzy:  Thanks for helping out with my blog and letting me interview you.

TCK:  You're welcome.  It's not like I was going to turn you down, son,

Bugzy:  True, but I still want to thank you.

Let's start now.  Is your full tame Tara Callahan King?

TCK:  Yes it is.

Bugzy:  Good, I just wanted to let people know what to call you.  People can also check out your website at:http://taracalahankingartist.homestead.com/index.html

Mom, what are you working on at the moment?  Tell people what projects you are doing!

TCK:   Currently renovating the Lawrenceburg Public Library with murals.  In the children’s department I am depicting a circus train theme, in keeping with the original train depot. I have also designed a train that will be built and installed by Multiple Design Solutions, in the spring 2014.  There will even be a life size portraiture of Abraham Lincoln sitting in his chair reading a book.   In the teen department, I am painting graffiti including modern and historical authors and quotes. Outside of the library project, I write and illustrate my line of greeting cards for American Greetings.  I have begun writing 2 children’s book manuscripts with illustrations.  


     Bugzy:  Great to hear about that.  Please let me know when the books come out, so I may share it with everyone.

     What types of books do you like to read? 

     TCK:   I actually love reading children’s books (and of course I love looking at the illustrations.) I also enjoy reading true stories of determination and triumph.

      Bugzy:  Yes, that does sound like you!
      Who is your favorite author? 

      TCK:   Dr. Seuss and Frank McCourt
     
      Bugzy:   What is your earliest library memory?

     TCK:   I remember my beautiful local library in Westwood (Cincinnati, Ohio) and looking through the old card catalogs.  I always loved being surrounded by the books
.
      Bugzy:  1.      Why do you like reading? 

     TCK:   I enjoy getting lost in the characters , in their experiences and journeys.   

     Bugzy:   So do I!!      What did you want to be as a child when you grew up?

     TCK:    I always knew I wanted to be an artist.  I loved creating and drawing characters and scenes…telling a narrative through my illustrations.  I took many art classes and experimented with many mediums (paint, chalk pastels, oil pastels, charcoal, color pencils etc.)

     Bugzy:   That is so interesting to hear, especially since obviously I never knew you as a child!

     TCK:       What is your favorite children’s book?  You can have several.  Love Dr. Seuss and David Shannon books
    
    Bugzy:  Who is your favorite Muppet?   I have an idea, but could you tell me for sure?

    TCK:   Kermit, love his personality

    Bugzy:   That's what I thought!  Kermit is my favorite too.

     What do you like best about being an artist?

     TCK:  Working with different people, the constant of creating and imagining, diversity of projects, and seeing a project through the process from an idea to a completed work.

     Bugzy:   What fun thing would you do if you had four arms like me? 

     TCK:  I would paint a masterpiece, holding a brush in each hand; I would eat 4 ice cream cones each filled with 2 dips of mint chocolate chip, I would cook gourmet meals for my family every night and I would volunteer to hold babies at the hospital that need extra hugs


     Bugzy:  That's so sweet. Thank you very much for speaking with me, and letting everyone a chance to know you a little better.


    TCK:   You're welcome.  Anytime.






     


   


     
     


     



Tuesday, September 24, 2013

Meet Sheila from Youth Services

Greetings everyone and glad to be with you.  Bugzy here again.  Today I have the good fortune to have Sheila Bigelow with the Youth Services Department  here talking to me.  I see her a lot coming and going and doing lots of fun programs, but this is the first time I have had the pleasure of talking with her.

Bugzy:  Hello Shelia, glad to be talking with you today.

Sheila:  Yes Bugzy, me too.  Love your glasses!

Bugzy:  Thanks!

Bugzy:  What is your formal name?

Sheila:  Sheila Bigelow.  You know that!

Bugzy:  That's what Phil said too.  What do you do here at the library?

Shelia:  I am the Teen & Tween Program Coordinator- which means I plan all the fun stuff for 7th-12th graders!

Bugzy:  Great, that sounds very interesting.   

      What is your favorite pizza topping (besides cheese, of course.)

S    Sheila:  Definitely  pepperoni!

       Bugzy:  Good call.  Who is your favorite author?

      Sheila:  Oooohhh this is a tough one. Currently I am in love with anything Maggie Stiefvater writes, but also tied for the top would be John Green and Charles Dickens.

       Bugzy:   What is your earliest library memory?  

       Sheila:   I didn’t attend preschool, just library story hour. I would have been about 5, and it was the highlight of my week. I loved it!
      
        Bugzy:  Why do you like reading?

        Sheila:  I love being transported to new places and new worlds, so it's exciting.

       Bugzy:  Me too, that is one of the things I love about reading.  I want to know what you wanted to be as a child when you grew up?

       Sheila:      I really wanted to be a Veterinarian, which would explain why there is a continuing parade of animals at my house!  We currently have 2 dogs, 1 cat, 2 aquatic turtles, 1 box turtle and a mouse that reside with us.  

      Bugzy:   I can see we're going to be friends, I love animals too!

      I have another question, what is your favorite children's book?  You can have several.

      Sheila:  As far as picture books go one of my favorites for its’ illustrations is Box Turtle at Long Pond, by William George, but I also love the Rhyming  Dust Bunnies by Jan Thomas because it’s hilarious, and The New Baby by Mercer Mayer, because I read it over and over to my kids. For chapter books it would have to be The Long Winter by Laura Ingalls Wilder, I’ve read it many times!

      Bugzy:  Who is your favorite Muppet?  Everyone I talk with gets asked this question!

      Sheila:  No hesitation, it's Gonzo!

       Bugzy:   Gonzo!   I love him.  He's definitely in my top 5.

      What do you like best about being a librarian?

      Sheila:  I love sharing my excitement for reading with kids. When they find a book that hooks them in and they come back and say “I loved it, what else do you have?” That makes my day!

     Bugzy:  What a lovely thought.  One more question.  

S   Sheila:   OK, let's hear it.

     Bugzy:   What fun thing would you do if you had four arms like me? 

     Sheila:  I enjoy playing the piano, and if I had four arms I could play a duet with myself!

     Bugzy:  That's all the questions I have for you.  Good to talk with you.  Please stop by and say HI next time you come to the branch.

     Sheila:   Good to talk with you too.



      
      

       

   




Monday, September 23, 2013

North Dearborn Elementary

Greetings Everyone!  Nice to be back with you.

We had a visit today from the school and had so much fun.  There were so many of them, I lost count of how many children there were.  It was great that the teachers had all the kids get their picture taken with me.

 They were such nice kids, and they got a tour of the library from Jody Maples, the Youth Services Manager. Thanks for coming to see me and the library.   Thanks Jody for all  your help!


Thursday, September 19, 2013

Interview with a staff person/ Bugzy's corner?

Greetings everyone!  Hope you are having a great day.  Bugzy here again.  Today I am going to interview one of the library staff.  In the future, I will be interviewing more of them and maybe some other folks too!

Today I am talking with Philip Kuhn, Branch Manager at the North Dearborn Library

Bugzy:   Hello, what is your name again?

Phil:  Phil Kuhn, Branch Manager.  Come on Bugzy, you know me, you see me every day!

Bugzy:  Yes,  good to see you again.   Who is your favorite author?

Phil:  Tim Dorsey.  I just love his books.  Nobody else writes like him.  The books are crazy, funny, intense, fun.

Bugzy:  What is your favorite pizza topping, besides cheese?

Phil:Good question.  I'd have to say mushrooms, as much as I love meat on pizza.

Bugzy:  What is your earliest library memory?

Phil:   I still remember going to the bookmobile that came to our neighborhood.  I remember it was such a big deal to us kids.  It was fun and we got to borrow books and take them home.

I also remember going to our local branch library in grade school with my dad and checking out some weighty books.  My father always took me to the library and encourage me to read and to read at higher levels.

Bugzy:  Why do you like reading?

Phil:  Reading is not just fun, it can also be educational.  Both at the same time.  It can spark your imagination.  Nothing else can do that.

Bugzy:  What is your favorite children's book?

Phil:  That would be Henry And Beezus by Beverly Clearly.  It was the first chapter book I ever read on my own.  Still remember it.

Bugzy:  Wow, I don't think I remember the first book I read.  You must have a good memory!

Phil:  Pretty good.  I don't like to brag.

Bugzy:  What did you want to be when you were little:

Phil:  A third baseman for the Cincinnati Reds.  Loved the Big Red Machine.

Bugzy:  Who is your favorite Muppet?

Phil:  Besides Kermit?    Everyone loves Kermit.

Bugzy:  Yes, and so do I!

Phil:  I love Animal.  And I love Statler and Waldorf, the two old guys in the balcony.  They crack me up.

Bugzy:  The two grumpy old guys?  You like them?!  They're mean.

Phil:  They were funny.  Yes, they had a different sense of humor than the other cast, that's true.
 Great quote:  Waldorf:  What's all the commotion about?  Statler:  The bunny ran away.  Waldorf:  Well, you know what that makes him?   Both:  Smarter than us!!

Bugzy:  Why do you like working at the library:

Phil:  I love being with people, meeting new people.  I believe every person you meet has something they can teach you.

Bugzy:  What fun thing would you do if you had four arms like me?

Phil:  Cook up a storm, that's what!  I love to cook and it would be so helpful with four arms.  My golf game would not improve though, it's pretty well hopeless.

Bugzy:  Thanks for being with me today and answering my questions.

Phil:  You're welcome big guy. Any time

Monday, September 16, 2013

Cultural references from last post

Greetings and good day to everyone! Glad to be speaking with you!

I will tell you the cultural references from the last post:

The Doctor was obviously Dr. Seuss
The story was a take off of "Green Eggs and Ham"
Dr. Seuss's real name was Theodore.
The book featured "Enemy Pie" is a book that my mother, Tara, illustrated.  (I did not plan it that way, it just happens to rhyme with "bye."
Some of the rhymes at the end of the story were from "The Princess Bride" (Fezzick).

We'll do more stories later.  Until then, bye!

Bugzy

Thursday, September 12, 2013

A tribute to the Doctor

A long time ago, in a beautiful land with streams and striped hills far away,
walked a young man named Bugzy sometime in the month of May.

I noticed flying over my head were big birds colored blue called jays.
I was walking along a lovely green path,
listening to a book on cd of "The Grapes of Wrath".
Along came a boy named Ted who bounded across a brook.
I yelled "Stop" at the boy and asked him if he wanted to read a book.
"NO" he says to me.  "Even if you give me a mean look."

"I love to read books"  said Bugzy, I
"Will you not give them a try?"
"Would you read a book if you were on a boat,"
"No I would not"
"Would you read a book if you were wearing a coat?"
"No I would not" said Ted
"Would you read a book if you were on a train?"
"No I would not"
"Would you read a book if you were on a plane?"
"No I would not"
"Would you read a book sitting in a tree?"
"No I would not"
"Would you read a book sitting here with you and me?"
"No I would not"
"Would you read a book in a car?"
"No I would not"
"Would you read a book sitting in a snack bar?"
"No I would not"
"Would you read a book sitting on a moose?"
"No I would not"
"Would you read a book sitting with a goose?"
"No I would not"
"Would you read a book standing over there?"
"No I would not"
"Would you read a book sitting in a chair?"
"No I would not"
"Would you read a book lying in your bed?"
"No I would not"
"Would you read a book standing on your head?"
"No I would not"
"Would you read a book if the moon was bright?"
"No I would not"
"Would you read a book standing under a light?"
"No I would not"
"Now listen" said Ted, "if I read a book, will you let me say Goodbye?"
"Yes" said I,
"How about reading this book called 'Enemy Pie'"
(Several minutes pass)
"WOW" said Ted the boy,
"This book is great, it's better than playing with a new toy!"

" I will read a book on a boat, or wearing a coat"
"I will read a book riding on a train, or in a plane"
"I will read a book sitting on a tree, or sitting here with you and me"
"I will read a book in a car, or sitting in a snack bar"
"I will read a book sitting on a moose, or sitting with a goose"
"I will read a book over there, or sitting in a chair"
"I will read a book lying in my bed, or even standing on my head"
"I will read a book if the moon is bright, or under a light"
"I  will read a book even if it's green"
"I will read a book written by a queen"
"I will read a book that is colored blue,
"I will read a book about Cindy Loo Who!"

"I LOVE TO READ"  exclaimed Ted,
"That is great"  I said,
"Lets go on to town and have some nice bread"  said Bugzy, I.
Ted said, "Can we quit now with the rhymes?"
"I don't know" said I,  "We are having such a good time!"
"Ok, let that be the last rhyme, I mean it!"
"Hey"  "Anyone want a peanut!"
"I think I'll go plug my ears and read a book"
"Great, after that, I'll build you a nook."
AAGRRRR!


The END
BUGZY











Tuesday, September 10, 2013

Story time!

Greetings and good day,

I am looking forward to tomorrow and seeing all of the happy children tomorrow at Story Time here at North Dearborn.  We will have a great time with Miss Barb.  See you at 10:30am or 11:30am!!  What a perfect thing to do on a hot day--come to the library, attend a program and of course see me!

Monday, September 9, 2013

Answers to last week's post

Greetings everyone!  Hope you had a great weekend.  Hope you got out and spent time with family and friends and did some reading too!

Here are the answers to my last post's questions:

Tim Burton created:

Beadle  (Sweeney Todd)
Oogie Boogie (Nightmare before Christmas)
Dr. Finklestein (Nightmare)
Lord Finis Everglot (Corpse Bride)
Stainboy (Stainboy)
Beetlejuice (Beetlejuice)
Miss Spider (James and the Giant Peach)

Jim Henson created:

Beauregard
Oh Really Bird
Dr Julius Strangepork
Louis Kazzager
Sweetums
Miss Mousey
Beaker

Children and adults everywhere can thank these two very creative gentlemen.

Bugzy

Thursday, September 5, 2013

Can you tell which one is which?

OK, I'm not going to do a top 10 list today.  I know I promised, but I have something else in mind.  We will do some fun top 10 lists another time.

We are going to play a little game.  It is called:  Can you tell which one is which?  This is in honor of my designer, the illustrator Tara Callahan King.

I will name a name from a movie or tv show, and you tell me if the creator was:

Jim Henson, or is it:





Tim Burton
I will start you out with an easy one:

Beetlejuice     and    Beaker

Now, some harder ones to guess!

Oh Really Bird    and  Oogie Boogie

Dr. Finklestein    and  Dr Julius Strangepork

Louis Kazzager   and  Lord Finis Everglot

Beadle     and   Beauregard

Stainboy  and Sweetums


And for the grand finale, a really hard one; drum roll please:  audio of a drum roll

Miss Mousey   and   Miss Spider

That's all for now.  Happy guessing and no fair Googling the names!   Bugzy hates cheaters!  I'll post the answers next week.

---Bugzy



Tuesday, September 3, 2013

Library card month and the road runner

Great day everyone!  Bugzy here again.  Hope you had a wonderful holiday weekend.  It was quiet here at the library since we were closed Monday.  Back in business today!

September is National Library Card sign up month.  If you don't have a card, I will tell you more how to get a card.  But first, there have been some things I have been thinking about.

I have been watching some of these old "Road Runner" cartoons while I am not at the library.  I do not understand them.  If the coyote can afford all of those "Acme" gadgets, why doesn't he just buy food?  And the coyote can clearly run fast.  Why doesn't he just chase after a slower animal?  And why doesn't the coyote die after falling off a tall cliff?  The Road Runner is really cool, why does he want to eat him?  I don't understand it at all.

OK back to sign up month.  Kids and teens who register a card for the first time will receive a free food coupon.  I can see now on at the front desk we have a neat prize for adults who sign up too.


According to what the staff has told me, children ages 0-13 need a signature of a parent or legal guardian.  Residents of Dearborn County can get a card for free.  As a courtesy to the schools in our area service district area, students who attend Lawrenceburg Community Schools or Sunman Dearborn Schools and who are not a resident of Dearborn County are eligible for a one year temporary card.  That is great!

As you know, I love books!  And I love to read!  Children who read well grow up to be active and successful adults!  Using library materials helps children to read well.

Reading is not about killing time, it is about exploring your world.  Learn about something you may want to do as a hobby, or just like reading about, or as a career!

Next time, a Top 10 List!!

Bugzy