Most of us are fed up with winter by the end of January.
However, we’ve endured nothing compared to the winter of 1880–81, which is widely considered the most severe winter ever known in parts of the U.S. Several generations of children – and their parents – learned of “The Snow Winter” through Laura Ingalls Wilder’s book “The Long Winter.”
In this story, the author tells of the family ‘s survival during a horrific eight-months-long ordeal of blizzards, deprivation and isolation during that winter on the sparsely inhabited Dakota Territory. Laura Keyes brings Wilder’s story to life at 2 p.m. Sunday, Jan. 30, in “Laura Ingalls Wilder: Lessons from the Hard Winter.” This story is one of perseverance and hope. These are feelings we all can relate to, perhaps now more than ever: dealing with uncertainty, social isolation and anxiety about the future. And the lessons are just as valid as ever: have faith, have hope and ask for help when you need it. Register for this online program at https://tinyurl.com/bpl-long-winter.
The library kicks off its annual One Book, One Batavia event in February. This year’s selection is the award-winning graphic novel “They Called Us Enemy” by George Takei. In this sobering and thoughtful memoir, Takei shares a firsthand account of his family’s internment in a relocation center for Japanese Americans during World War II. Takei movingly writes of his childhood innocence, his parents’ courage, and the fear and shame they experienced. Takei, co-writers Justin Eisinger and Steven Scott and artist Harmony Becker convey his family’s story in graphic memoir format.
The library will have six One Book, One Batavia events during February and March. During the first event at 7:30 p. m. Feb. 8, adults and teens can join a guided discussion of the book. Other events are an online talk with the book’s illustrator about the process of designing the book; Batavia resident Ellen Huxtable discussing her family’s experience in an internment camp; an opportunity for teens to learn how graphic artists create graphic novels; a Zen priest teaching the basics of Zen meditation; and finally, a session in which patrons can learn strategies to challenge old and new stereotypes.
This communitywide reading event creates a shared conversation through related events and activities for residents. One Book, One Batavia is presented by the Batavia Public Library in cooperation with Batavia High School and co-sponsored by the Friends of the Batavia Public Library. Patrons and students can borrow the book through the Batavia Public Library. It is available in these formats: a graphic novel, eBook (Libby/Overdrive) and Kindle.
Find complete event and registration information on the library’s website at www.bataviapubliclibrary.org.