Guess what? Our beloved mitten state is celebrating a major milestone Thursday — 175 years of Statehood! Time does fly, doesn't it? We've seen both good and bad events in our historical journey through time, plus we have given birth to numerous famous people. On this date in 1837, President Jackson signed the bill that officially made us the 26th state in the union. There are lots of ways you can celebrate this momentous occasion including baking a cake shaped like Michigan, take pictures of your neighborhood, write what you love about our great state, or check out some of our wonderful materials on Michigan.

Getting your baby to sleep at night can be a challenge. For parents who need tips and advice for successful sleeping, we have several sleep guides available in the Parenting section in the Children's Department. Check out some of the titles listed below to help your baby (and yourself!) get some much-needed rest.

The complete guide to helping your baby sleep through the night so you can too: 101 tips and tricks every parent needs to know by Jessica Linnell

The baby sleeps tonight: your infant sleeping through the night by 9 weeks (yes, really!) by Shari Mezrah

Join us on Monday, February 20 for an all day family movie extravaganza starting at 10:00 AM with a film for our youngest patrons and gradually getting more sophisticated, until the 6:30 PM showing of Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part 2.

• 10:00 AM — Winnie the Pooh (G)
• 1:00 PM — Kung Fu Panda 2 (PG)
• 3:00 PM — Mr. Popper's Penguins (PG)
• 6:30 PM — Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part 2 (PG-13)

You may bring pillows, snacks, even your own comfy lawn chairs if you like.

On January 23 at 7:45 AM, the 2012 Youth Media Awards will be announced at this year's American Library Association Midwinter Conference in Dallas, TX. The Newbery, Printz and Corretta Scott King for literature and illustration are just a few of the many accolades to be awarded. One of the most anticipated announcements is the Caldecott Medal which is awarded to the artist of the most distinguished American picture book for children. It's always an exciting time in the world of youth literature and we will keep you posted of the winners as they are announced. In the mean time, you may peruse our list of past winners here. Stay tuned!

ABC Activity Time 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. Program Dates and Times (January 16-February 17):

• Mondays-Saturdays*, 10:30-11:00 AM
• Mondays, 1:30-2:00 PM
• Tuesday and Wednesday, 7:30-8:00 PM

*Saturday sessions are in the Purple Room.

Family Storytimes begin the week of January 16. 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.

• 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 PM
• Thursdays, 10:00-10:30 AM
• Fridays, 10:00-10:30 AM
• Saturdays, 10:00-10:30 AM

Designed for babies up to 18 months, these storytimes feature simple stories, songs and fingerplays. Register online beginning January 3.

Session begins: Tuesday, January 17, 10:00 AM

Looking for those little books perfect for little hands?

In response to parent suggestions, our board book collection has moved. If you're searching for a sturdy book just right for your exploring young child, look no further. The board books now live outside of the Purple Room. Great for those in Baby Storytime!

Have you ever looked at your kids and wondered "What are we going to do today?" Starfish Family Services will present a workshop for parents, caregivers and daycare providers titled Making Playroom Materials from Everyday Items on January 5, 2012, 9:30-11:00 AM. Attendees will identify natural, real, recycled and scrap materials for your playroom. During the program you will also make playroom materials to take back to your setting. Childcare will be provided by licensed Starfish Family Services staff. Online registration begins on December 22, 2011.

Frosty the Snowman is a classic winter song. But did you know there were so many different versions? Check out some of these great songs, and learn a new snowman song too!

Sing along! [sound recording] by Caspar Babypants

Kidz Bop Christmas [sound recording]

Christmas with the Chipmunks [sound recording] by Alvin, Simon & Theodore with David Seville

Phineas & Ferb holiday favorites [sound recording]

No two alike by Keith Baker — Snowflakes come in all shapes and sizes, with no two alike. This beautiful and simple picture book follows a pair of birds on a snowflake-filled journey through a winter landscape, where everything everywhere, from branches and leaves to forests full of trees, is unique, just like you and me!

Enjoy the snow and more winter tales!

In this online storytime, Miss Sandra and Miss Katie tell stories and sing songs all about monkeys.

Enjoy some of these fun and festive Thanksgiving songs for kids:

Thanksgiving songs that tickle your funny bone [sound recording] by Roberts, Piller & Katz

At home and abroad [sound recording] by Focus on the Family

Bear's holiday celebration from Jim Henson's bear in the big blue house [sound recording]

Whaddaya think of that? [sound recording] by Laurie Berkner

In this online storytime, Miss Michelle tells us the story of the three billy goats gruff and reads a poem about five penguins.

Ten little caterpillars by Bill Martin Jr. ; illustrated by Lois Ehlert — Bill Martin, Jr's posthumous work, originally published in 1967, brings to life the adventures of 10 caterpillars as they visit flower gardens, vegetable patches, and apple orchards, all before transforming into beautiful butterflies. This rhyming text is fun for all ages, and the beautiful artwork of Lois Ehlert is spectacular.

Looking for some tunes you may have heard at storytime? Here's some of our favorites:

Storytime classics [sound recording] by Peter Pan Kids

Storytime favorites [sound recording]

Dragon tunes [sound recording] : [from Dragon Tales] by Sesame Workshop/Columbia TriStar Television

Creative movement and rhythmic expression [sound recording] by Hap Palmer

Designed for babies up to 18 months with a caregiver, these sessions are held in the Purple Room on Tuesdays starting November 15, 2011 from 10:00 to 10:30 AM. We will have fun doing stories, songs, and basic fingerplays. Registration is required for Baby Storytime. Registration begins November 1, 2011.

Stop by the Community Room on December 1st from 5:30 to 8:30 PM for a special identification event sponsored by New York Life. The free ID cards for kids will include a photo, digital fingerprints and other vital information. Should there ever be an Amber Alert, this card is a first step in finding missing children.

ABC Activity Time 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. The library is closed for the Thanksgiving holiday on Thursday, November 24 and Friday, November 25. We will not have ABC Activity Time on those days. Program Dates and Times (November 14-December 17):

• Mondays-Saturdays, 10:30-11:00 AM
• Mondays, 1:30-2:00 PM
• Tuesday and Wednesday, 7:30-8:00 PM

Family Storytimes begin the week of November 14. These storytimes are designed for childrens ages 5 and under with a caregiver. Storytimes are held in the Community Room and do not require registration. The library is closed for the Thanksgiving holiday on Thursday, November 24 and Friday, November 25. We will not have Family Storytime on those days.

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