Time Out New York Kids has named They Might be Giants as the #1 Band for Kids. The list of the Top 25 Bands for kids includes The Laurie Berkner Band, Gustafer Yellowgold, Recess Monkey and more. You'll find many groups from the list in the Children's music section of the library. Check out your favorite bands again, or experience some new music for the first time. Happy listening!

Here come the 123s [sound recording] by They Might Be Giants

Here come the ABCs [sound recording] by They Might Be Giants

Join the Starfish Family Services on Thursday, June 7 from 9:45-11:30 AM as they show how to make nursery rhymes interactive and engaging all the while stressing the importance of phonological awareness in preschoolers.  This program is developed for parents, day care providers, and family caregivers and will take place in conjunction with our Thursday morning Family Storytime/ABC Activity time.  Free childcare is offered during this program by Starfish's licensed day care providers. 

If you're looking for a picture book about Michigan, or one that takes place in Michigan, we have you covered. Here's a list of fun picture books from the "mitten state."

M is for mitten: the Michigan alphabet book by Annie Appleford; illustrated by Michael Monroe

Gitchi Gumee by written by Anne Margaret Lewis; illustrated by Kathleen Chaney Fritz

Rascal makes mischief on Mackinac Island by Cynthia Furlong Reynolds; illustrated by Darrin Brege

All ages may enjoy a storytime program in Tamil presented by Sivakami Rajendran

Program Date: Thursday, May 4th at 7:00 PM in the Purple Room

Good helpers, everyone needs one sometime. Here are some picture books to read with the kids, to show them how to be great helpers at home, in school, or in your community.

Arthur helps out by Marc Brown

The Berenstain Bears lend a helping hand by Stan & Jan Berenstain

Boswell wide awake by Alexandra Day

Is your little one a rocker at heart?  Looking for some Beatles, Madonna, or Van Halen just right for your baby?  Then look no further!  Check out Rockabye Baby!  Enjoy soothing, sleep inducing tunes from Def Leppard to Kanye West.

Rockabye baby! [sound recording]: lullaby renditions of depeche mode

Rockabye baby! [sound recording]: lullaby renditions of Dave Matthews Band by Bissell, Andrew, 1979-

Rockabye baby! Lullaby renditions of the Flaming Lips [sound recording] by Boone, Steven

Baby Storytime begins May 1. Designed for babies up to age 18 months with a caregiver, this interactive storytime features simple stories, songs, and fingerplays.

Register online beginning April 17.

ABC Activity Time begins the week of April 30. This is an informal session where parents, caregivers, children and babies meet together in a relaxed environment. This drop-in playtime includes sensory activities, puzzles, and matching games for children ages birth to 5, with caregiver. No registration required. Program takes place in the Community Room, unless otherwise noted. (April 30-June 9):

• Mondays 10:30-11:00 AM and 1:30-2:00 PM
• Tuesdays 7:30-8:00 PM
• Wednesdays 10:30-11:00 AM and 7:30-8:00 PM
• Thursdays 10:30-11:00 AM
• Fridays 10:30-11:00 AM
• Saturdays 10:30-11:00 AM in the Purple Room

Notes

• On June 7^th the Family Storytime/ABC Activity Time session will be in collaboration with Starfish Family Services Program for parents and caregivers titled Word Play: Rhymes and Other Pre-Reading Activities. The workshop is for adults and Starfish brings along licensed day care providers to watch your children if you choose
• There will be no Activty time on June 8 (for a blood drive)

Family Storytimes begin the week of April 30. These storytimes are designed for children ages 5 and under with a caregiver. Storytimes are held in the Community Room and do not require registration. Saturday sessions are in the Purple Room.

April 30-June 9

• Mondays 10:00-10:30 AM and 1:00-1:30 PM
• Tuesdays 7:00-7:30 PM
• Wednesdays 10:00-10:30 AM and 7:00-7:30 AM
• Thursdays 10:00-10:30 AM
• Fridays 10:00-10:30 AM

Notes

• On June 7^th the Family Storytime/ABC Activity Time session will be in collaboration with Starfish Family Services Program for parents and caregivers titled Word Play: Rhymes and Other Pre-Reading Activities. The workshop is for adults and Starfish brings along licensed day care providers to watch your children if you choose
• There will be no storytime on June 8 (for a blood drive)

Help your infant develop brain power and have fun by trying out some new games during playtime. Below are some suggested books filled with ideas for baby and caregiver play. You can find these titles in the Parenting section in the Children's Department.

Baby minds: brain-building games your baby will love by Linda Acredolo, Ph.D. and Susan Goodwyn, Ph.D

Baby play by general editors Wendy S. Masi, Roni Cohen Leiderman

This is an informal gathering time to fill the void between storytime sessions. There will be books for parents to read to their children, the ABC Activity cart and even some tunes.

Activity times will be held on the following Saturdays from 10:00-10:45 AM:

• March 24
• March 31
• April 14
• April 28

Have you been wondering how you can listen to your favorite song from storytime when storytime is over?  Look no further, here is a list of some classic storytime cd's:

Six little ducks [sound recording] by Al Dana... [et al.]

More singable songs [sound recording] by Raffi with Ken Whiteley

Jim Gill sings The sneezing song and other contagious tunes [sound recording] by Gill, Jim

Rhythms on parade [sound recording] by Hap Palmer

Are you looking for some new books to read at bedtime? Look no further! We have many, many wonderful stories to get those little ones in the sleeping mood.

Jammy dance by Rebecca Janni; pictures by Tracy Dockray

Hide-and-squeak by Heather Vogel Frederick; illustrated by C.F. Payne

Good night, Chickie by Emile Jadoul

Classical music is not just for adults. We have lots of classical music in the Children's Department that kids will love. Check out any of these wonderful titles and enjoy!

Brainy Baby Classical Tunes Instrumental Classics [sound recording]

Classical naptime for tots [sound recording]

Disney's silly classical songs [sound recording]

The classical child at the ballet [sound recording]

Some of our most-loved picture books at the library are about our canine friends. Check out some dog tales today and discover a new favorite!

Sally goes to the vet by written and illustrated by Stephen Huneck

10 little hot dogs by John Himmelman

Bark, George by Jules Feiffer

Join us on Thursday, February 23 from 9:30-11:30 AM for, Let’s Be Friends – Supporting Children’s Social and Emotional Development. Highly trained staff from Starfish Family Services will encourage participants to explore how a young child’s thinking and reasoning impacts their social relationships as well as identify ways to help children learn about others, environmental strategies to encourage friendships and practice interaction strategies that support social learning. This program is open to parents, daycare providers, caregivers and their children. Childcare will be provided by licensed Starfish Family Services staff.

Hey Hockeytown! Tuesday night, February 14, 2012, our Detroit Red Wings will be playing for not just another win against the Dallas Stars. They will be playing for a record breaking win. Currently, our Wings have tied the record at 20 home games won in a row, tomorrow they are hoping to break that record with their 21st home game win. I have tickets, do you? If not, be sure to watch the game on TV or check our awesome selection of items on the Red Wings. My fingers are already crossed, are yours?

Jim Gill, master of all things fun and silly, has a new album.

Jim Gill presents music play for folks of all stripes [sound recording] by Gill, Jim — If you love bananas or pizza, this album has songs for you. If you love Mozart or friends, look no further. Jim Gill has created another great dancing, clapping, silly songs album for everyone young and old. You can find other Jim Gill albums in the Children's Department, too. Happy listening!

A Ball For Daisy, written and illustrated by Chris Raschka, has been awarded the 2012 Caldecott Medal. This wordless picture book tells the story of a spirited dog named Daisy and her beloved red ball. Through a turn of events, she gains a brand-new friend and realizes there can be more than one way to have fun. The brightly colored, expressive illustrations make this story an entertaining read for kids and adults alike.

Circles, squares, diamonds or rectangles, we have books that show all the angles. Triangles, ovals, octagons too, these books will teach them all to you!

All sorts of shapes by written by Hannah Reidy; illustrated by Emma Dodd; reading consultant, Susan Kesselring

Bear in a square by written by Stella Blackstone; illustrated by Debbie Harter

Circle dogs by Kevin Henkes; illustrated by Dan Yaccarino