Island Readers & Writers

When a circus ship runs aground off the coast of Maine, the poor animals are left on their own to swim the chilly waters. Staggering onto a nearby island, they soon win over the wary townspeople with their kind, courageous ways. So well do the critters blend in that when the greedy circus owner returns to claim them, villagers of all species conspire to outsmart the bloated blowhard. With buoyant rhymes and brilliantly caricatured illustrations evoking the early nineteenth century, Chris Van Dusen presents a hugely entertaining tale about the bonds of community — and a rare hidden-pictures spread for eagle-eyed readers of all ages. Read more about "The Circus Ship".
Above image: Maine's First Lady Karen Baldacci receives a copy of "The Circus Ship" from author Chris Van Dusen.

Island Readers and Writers, in partnership with the Southwest Harbor Public Library, is thrilled to announce that it has received a grant from the National Endowment for the Arts to host The Big Read events across Mount Desert Island, Swan’s Island, Frenchboro, the Cranberry Isles, Deer Isle and Isle au Haut communities. From January 23, 2010 to February 21, 2010 islanders will read Jack London’s novel Call of the Wild and participate in book-inspired programming for all ages. Events will include a kick-off celebration with First Lady Karen Baldacci, community book discussions, winter nature walks, winter survival demonstrations, film screenings, lectures, and exhibits on the Inuit people and about our islands’ culture during the time of the story’s late 19th century Alaskan setting. Read more about The Big Read.
Above image: IRW Executive Director, Jan Coates, gives a copy of "The Call of the Wild" to First Lady Karen Baldacci.