Summer of Fun with Xplore!

To celebrate and support this year's Summer Reading Challenge, Wrexham Library and Information Service have invited Xplore! back to provide more of their fun and innovative science sessions. The theme for these sessions is construction, where children will have the opportunity to dress up as a construction worker, build walls together, and see how high they can make a tower without it falling down. There will be 3D shapes to design new buildings and bridges and much more. The sessions are non-gender specific and are suitable for children aged three to eight. Booking is essential. Ask your local library for details or follow our social media pages.

Xplore! are offering an extra session at Wrexham Library on Wednesday, August 31, 11am-12.30pm and 1.30pm-3pm. Find alternative ways of growing food with this aquaponics workshop. You must reserve your place, call the library on 01978 292090.

Author of the Month

Caryl Lewis is a multi award-winning Welsh novelist, children's writer, playwright and screenwriter. Originally from Dihewyd near Aberaeron, Lewis graduated from Durham University before returning to Aberystwyth University to get a higher degree in writing. Iawn Boi? won the Tir na n-Og award in 2004. Her breakthrough novel Martha, Jac a Sianco (2004) was named Book of the Year in 2005 and is widely regarded as a modern classic of Welsh literature, and sits on the Welsh curriculum. The film adaptation - with a screenplay by Lewis herself - went on to win six Welsh BAFTAS and the Spirit of the Festival Award at the 2010 Celtic Media Festival. Lewis' other screenwriting work includes BBC/S4C thrillers Y Gwyll/Hinterland and Y Craith/Hidden. Lewis is a visiting lecturer in Creative Writing at Cardiff University, and lives with her family on a farm near Aberystwyth. Drift is her debut novel in the English language. Moving between the wild Welsh coast and war-torn Syria, Drift is a love story with a difference. In her spare time she loves to draw and eat Maltesers!

Magi Ann visits the library

Magi Ann is the main character in books written by Mena Evans with the aim of supporting children and their families to learn to read in Welsh. The books continue to be popular decades later, with Menter Iaith Flint and Wrexham having developed many of the stories into useful apps. Magi Ann also visits festivals, events and libraries and will be visiting most of our libraries over the summer. Her next visits will be on August 24 to Gwersyllt Library, from 10.30am-11.30am and Rhos Library, 2pm-3pm. Join us for bilingual stories, songs, and arts and crafts. There is no need to book, just turn up and enjoy the fun!

Theory Test Pro

Theory Test Pro is an online site which contains the entire official test question bank, hazard perception video clips and an online version of the Highway Code – all you need to help you pass your theory driving test. This amazing site can be accessed free of charge from home, all you need is a valid library card. For more information visit www.wrexham.gov.uk/libraries and select Online Services.

Magazine of the week – Ideal Home

The home of great ideas for more than 100 years, Ideal Home is your one-stop-shop for all things home. They aim to make the best home design accessible to everyone, and their unique formula of home decorating ideas and inspiration plus practical expert advice and solutions is on hand to help you enjoy a happier, healthier, better designed home. You can download this magazine and many others free of charge from Libby our online magazine app. Visit www.wrexham.gov.uk/libraries and follow the Online Services link.

Book Review

Of Mice and Men by John Steinbeck

Of Mice and Men by John Steinbeck

Of Mice and Men by John Steinbeck

This classic book was recommended to me. It is a short book, only 112 pages, but it is very powerful. I was immediately set in a scene of the 1930s era, during the Great Depression in the United States. Following Steinbeck's descriptive wording I developed pictures of the characters within the book, and the environmental surroundings and a mood of hardship. Hardworking characters following a dream to succeed in life, with many obstacles to overcome on their journey. Through the story I developed a feeling they were running from some previous misfortune! The main two characters both played a role in achieving these goals, both different in character, yet both needed one another to be strong for each other. A story which describes the different mentalities, or dispositions of people, when all faced with a similar situation. Tragic and left emotionally stunned, I did not see the ending that way, it played on my mind for days, written with such brilliance, I always wonder if it was really written perhaps from a true story set in another era. I am now left inquisitive as to other titles Steinbeck has written, which I am looking forward to reading. Sharon