The Mount Kisco Library Podcast

In this episode, Maria and Deirdre interview Fidencia Solomon, whose poem, "Looking for Change," was published in Seventeen magazine when she was fifteen. Her poem has since been republished, both in print and online, and has gained a whole new readership. Fidencia tells us how she happened to write the poem, and gives us some good tips on how to write what you love and love what you write! Here is the text of her poem. LOOKING FOR CHANGE I run into a phone booth, digging through my coat pockets for some change. Instead I pull out a handful of old gum wrappers and a stale Hershey bar that I never got around to eating. Three unemployed hairpins that once kept the hair off my face. A note I meant to send to my best friend, unopened ketchup packets from recent binges at Mickey D's. A shiny gold locket with a broken clasp …and a broken heart.… I find a tissue to wipe away a single tear running down my cheek, and still no change. — Fidencia Solomon, age 15, Brooklyn, New York

In this episode, we interview Gaby Biederman, a local teenager whose poetry has been published in a novel. We talk about what can inspire young people's creativity, and about the importance of finding a genre you really love. We also hear a song, "Frozen," by Amy Snow, of "Romilda Vane and the Chocolate Cauldrons." Thanks to Gaby and Juliana for the interview, and to The Iliad, Romilda Vane and the Chocolate Cauldrons, and Cursor Miner for our music.

We discuss first time author R.J. Anderson's "Spellhunter" series. R.J. reveals some of the subtleties of her novel. She also talks about the writing process, the persistence it takes to get published, and what we can look forward to in her next books! We conclude with some library news, including Summer Reading club information. Many thanks to R.J. Anderson, and to The Illiad for our theme song, and Cursor Miner for our closing song.

In this episode, Maria and Deirdre focus on storytelling, to get listeners ready for the Sunflower Story Arts festival, which will be taking place in Mount Kisco over Memorial Day weekend. They also present three examples of stories: 1. Courtesy of storynory.com, "The Monkey and the Boar," told by Natasha. 2. "The Blackbird," a story song written and performed by Mary 3. "The Legend of the Sword," a short story by G.K. Chesterton, read by Deirdre. We hope you enjoy this episode, and we would love to see you at the festival this weekend! Many thanks to Hugh and Natasha of Storynory for the wonderful Japanese story, Kyle and the Illiad for our opening song, and Cursor Miner for our closing song. And, don't forget! Visit your local library for all your storytelling and information needs!

Deirdre and Maria of the Mount Kisco Library talk with Kristin Cashore, author of "Graceling," about her novel, her writing process, her upcoming books, and her ideas on YA literature.

In this episdode, some students and I interview Jana Kohl, author of "A Rare Breed of Love: the true story of Baby and the mission she inspired to help dogs everywhere." Ms. Kohl tells us about Vice President-elect Biden's choice to buy a puppy from a breeder, and why that can be a very bad thing. She discusses puppy mills, how to identify them, and how we can help to make them illegal. We also talk about the dog the Obamas are going to adopt, and we learn all about Baby and Ms. Kohl's other animals.

Hello and welcome to the special Earth Day edition of the Mount Kisco Library podcast! We have The Veggie Van at the library today, and we will be interviewing the gentleman who has brought it here, as well as some students who are learning about it. But first, a few announcements. 1. Prince Caspian party! May 30th at 4:00 PM at the North Castle Library! The party is open to all students from 4th through 12th grades, and High School students can earn community service credit at it. But enrollment is limited, so sign up soon! 2. "Read, Right, and Run" You can sign up all summer, and there are fantastic programs and prizes. It's fun and it's open to everyone! 3. Wizard Rock! We'll be having a fantastic concert on June 9th at 7:00 PM, featuring Accio Bodyguard, Swish and Flick, Celestial Warmbottom, Fred and George, and The Gringotts Grrls. It's free and it's FUN -- don't miss it! INTERVIEW: Mr. Lee Brennan of the Westchester County Government talks about the Veggie Van, which he has driven to our library today! We learn: 1. Why it smells like French Fries and Chinese food, instead of other kinds of food. 2. Why it has no seat belts. 3. Why the seats are backwards. 4. What the special decorations on the outside mean. 5. How many Veggie Vans are in Westchester. 6. How you can make a car run on vegetable oil, and why it is better if you do. Plus many other things! The students love the veggie van -- it's their "dream car!" SONG: Hogwarts House Party, by Swish and Flick. Closing Remarks: Thanks to Mr. Brennan, Swish and Flick, The Illiad, and Cursor Miner for the interview and music! Also, we will be interviewing author Robin Brande in our next podcast, so please contact the library if you'd like to be involved. If you would like to send us an mp3 or write us a note, our email is mountkiscolibrary@podomatic.com. Or, you can call our listener call in line: (206) 350-1090. Many thanks to everyone who voted for us on podcast alley this month! We made the top 100! Please keep voting for us, if you like this show.

Hello, and welcome to the special St. Patrick’s Day edition of the Mount Kisco Library Podcast! You may remember that last time I spoke with Kate Thompson, author of The New Policeman, Switchers, The Fourth Horseman, and many other wonderful books. You just heard Kate and two of her friends playing two traditional jigs, Garret Barry’s and Out on the Ocean. I’m sure you’ll agree that she is not only a great author, but also a great musician! We’re going to be hearing some more music today, as well as some poetry and an interview with a really exciting guest, but first, I have some announcements. It’s not too late to sign up for “Read, Right, Run!” In fact, you can sign up whenever you want to, all summer long, but the kickoff event is going to be on Saturday, April 5, at 10:00 AM. Annie and the Natural Wonder Band will be performing, and there will be prizes and refreshments, so we hope everybody can come! Also, in the next pod cast, I am going to be interviewing Robin Brande, the author of Evolution, Me & Other Freaks of Nature. Her book is completely amazing, and the discussion is certain to be a lot of fun, so please get in touch with me if you want to be part of it. Music: 1. Jig, by Mermaids Above Water. 2. The Rights of Man, by Green Tea. Poem: Pangur Bán, translated from the Old Irish by Malachi McCormick. Interview: Malachi McCormick, artist, writer, book maker, and book designer reads some of Pangur Bán in the original and his translation. Then he talks about the history of books and writing in Ireland. I learn: 1. How the poem was written, and how Mr. McCormick came to know it. 2. Why I should choose a feather from the left wing of a goose to make a quill pen! 3. The story of Colum Cille, who wrote the first book in Ireland. 4. All about the magical powers ascribed to early Irish books. 5. Finally, Mr. McCormick says that he will give a workshop at the library this summer! Students will learn how to make their own books! Music: The Hardest Song to Sing, by Tim Cloherty. Tim is the lead singer of Booga Sugar. He wrote this song in honor of his brother, Tom, who was a wonderful person. You can find out more if you go to the band’s blog on their myspace. Closing Credits: I’d like to thank all of the bands for allowing me to use their music, and I’d especially like to thank Malachi McCormick for his marvelous books, his upcoming workshop, and for speaking with me today! I hope you enjoyed this podcast, and if you did, please vote for us on podcast alley! Closing Song: Cursor Miner's "Library"

In this episode, I interview award-winning Irish author, Kate Thompson. She fields kid's questions about "The New Policeman," the "Switchers" trilogy and other works. We also discuss sport, traditional music, the creative process, and how politics can impact art. I then read an excerpt from her upcoming novel, "The Last High King." Music: "The New Policeman" and "Dowd's Number 9."* *From: Past Masters of Irish Fiddle Music. Available on Amazon and Itunes. Announcements: 1. Coreographer Peter Pucci will conduct a master class at the Armonk Library on Wednesday, December 19th at 7:00 PM. Everyone is welcome, but please call if you would like to come. The numbers are: 1. Mount Kisco: 914 666-8041 2. Armonk: 914-273-3887 2. There will be another Wizard Rock concert on Sunday, January 6th 2008 at 4:00 PM in the Armonk Library. The show will feature The Whomping Willows, as well as Snidget, Irish wrocker Romilda Vane & the Chocolate Cauldrons, and others. The show is free and open to all, but the library will be locked after 4:00, so come early! We hope you enjoyed the podcast! Please feel free to contact us with any questions, concerns or ideas. And if you like the show, please vote for us on Podcast Alley!

Happy Halloween! & Welcome to the fourth episode of the Mount Kisco Library Podcast. This show is a little longer than usual, at nearly 30 minutes, and features Halloween poetry, music, and stories, as well as library news. Featured pieces are: 1. Plakkopytrixophylisperambulantiobatrix, by G. K. Chesterton. read by D. Johnson 2. Transylvania Swing, from The Frankenstein Files, performed by Veronica Chamley. Neeka Records, 2007. 3. The Skinny Toe, From, Scary Spooky Stories, Troll Records, 1973. Performer unknown. 4. How to See Ghosts or Surely Bring Them To You. Performed by Vincent Price, on A Handbook for Witches: Stories and Poems for Halloween. Caedmon, 1976. 5. The Cask of Amontillado, by Edgar Allen Poe. Adapted by Yury Rasovsky and performed by Robertson Dean and Stephen Markle. Courtesy of Mr. Rasovsky and the Hollywood Theater of the Ear. ~Have a Happy and Safe Halloween, everyone! ~ And don't forget, THE WHOMPING WILLOWS' Halloween tour is coming through Northern Westchester! Come to the North Castle Library, Monday, November 5 at 7 PM and enjoy the wizard rock! Free fun for everyone! If you have any questions, call the North Castle Library, (914) 273-3887 or the Mount Kisco Library, (914) 666-8041. Closing song: (excerpt) Library, by Cursor Miner.

Welcome to the third episode of the Mount Kisco Library Podcast! This 16 and a half minute episode features an interview with noted coreographer, Peter Pucci. Peter tells us how he became a coreographer, what coreography involves, and what his current projects are. We also discuss the library tadpoles, the Knicks, the New York Liberty, and the Mount Kisco Library Postcard club. The podcast ends with a brief description of a Wizard Rock concert which will take place in the North Castle Library on Monday, November 5th at 7 PM. The 2 hour show will feature the Hungarian Horntails, Fred and George, The Gringotts Grrls, Justin Finch Fletchley, and the Whomping Willows. Music: "Are You a Librarian" by The IlLiad, "Bullfrog Dance" from the Internet Archive, and "James Isn't Cool, by Nagini.

Hello, and welcome to the second episode of Kiscocast, the Mount Kisco Library podcast. This 13 and a half minute episode features an interview with Devi, of Fred and George, the band, and a live performance of "Weasley's Wizard Wheezes." We also discuss the Wizard Rock phenomenon, and the upcoming Wizard Rock shows in Mount Kisco and Armonk at the HP7 release party at Borders and at the North Castle Library. Opening song: "Are You a Librarian," by The Illiad. Concluding song: "Goblin Gigue," by The Gringotts Grrls.

Hello, and welcome to the very first Mount Kisco Library podcast!This twelve-minute podcast features lots of information about wolves, because a very beautiful wolf will star in our first summer program Here is a synopsis of the show.1. Theme Song: Are You a Librarian, by The ILLiad2. UPCOMING PROGRAM! Atka the Arctic Wolf will visit Mount Kisco. The Program is free and fun for everyone! It will take place at the Mount Kisco Elementary School on Saturday, June 16th at 3:30 PM.3. INTERVIEWMaggie, of the Wolf Conservation Center talks about Atka and other American wolves.4. TEASER & Book recommendation.Sir Ian McKellan reads from Wolf Brother, by Michelle Paver. Ms. Paver not only writes beautifully, but she really knows and loves wolves. This book is definitely worth a look!BTW, here's a picture of Ms. Paver with one of her wolf friends. Notice what he's doing to her latest book? But don't worry! We have a nice, clean copy in the library, completely uneaten by wolves!If you like this audiobook, please...Take it out of the library, or Buy it at your local bookstore, orDownload it on itunes. This is actually a wonderful option, because The Guardian is making the download free for all of Ms. Paver's fans! To find the link, check out The Clan - Home.5. ADDITIONAL PROGRAM INFORMATIONDon't forget that we are having a Harry Potter Party at the Armonk Library on the afternoon of June 21st! To sign up or for more information, call the Mount Kisco Library, 666-8041, or the Armonk Library, 273-3887.6. CLOSING CREDITS and MUSICThanks to Maggie and the Wolf Conservation Center, Kyle and the ILLiad, and Michelle Paver, Orion Books, and Ian McKellan. Music: Are You a Librarian, by the ILLiad.