Every year, the Library of Michigan selects a special book for its 'Michigan Reads! One State, One Children's Book' program. These books are great for sharing with preschoolers and other members of the family! This summer, earn your My Mitten badge by checking out some of the great book selections from this program.

2013:

Woolbur by Leslie Helakoski ; illustrated by Lee Harper

2012:

Moose on the loose by Kathy-jo Wargin ; illustrated by John Bendall-Brunello

2011:

Memoirs of a goldfish by Devin Scillian ; and illustrated by Tim Bowers

2010:

The runaway garden: a delicious story that's good for you, too! by Jeffery L. Schatzer ; illustrations by Jeffrey Ebbeler

2009:

The pout-pout fish by Deborah Diesen ; pictures by Dan Hanna

2008:

Use the library's collection to learn a new game, then try out your new skills and share your experience to earn your Game On badge. Explore sports, board games, or even card games. A few suggestions to get you going:

The big book of rules: board games, kids'games, card games, from backgammon and bocce to tiddlywinks and stickball by Stephanie Spadaccini ; illustrated by John Farnsworth

The book of rules: a visual guide to the laws of every commonly played sport and game

The New complete Hoyle: the authoritative guide to the official rules of all popular games of skill and chance by Alfred H. Morehead, Richard L. Frey, Geoffrey Mott- Smith

Hoyle's modern encyclopedia of card games; rules of all the basic games and popular variations, by Walter B. Gibson by Gibson, Walter Brown, 1897-

Who's on first? by Abbott & Costello ; illustrated by John Martz

A is for amazing moments: a sports alphabet by written by Brad Herzog ; illustrated by Melanie Rose

Happy like soccer by Maribeth Boelts ; illustrated by Lauren Castillo

Clorinda plays baseball! by Robert Kinerk ; illustrated by Steven Kellogg

Babar's Celesteville Games by Laurent de Brunhoff

The Babe & I by written by David A. Adler ; illustrated by Terry Widener

Lucky Luis by Gary Soto ; illustrated by Rhode Montijo

You can celebrate Get Outdoors Month all summer long. The official celebration takes place in June, but you can find activities to celebrate going outdoors throughout our Connect Your Summer experience. Use library materials to learn a new outdoor sport, plan an outdoor adventure, or just to find a great book to take outside. Share your experience to earn a badge.

During the month of June, check out our Great Outdoors Month display in the Tween Scene (pictured).

If you're into browsing, try using the Dewey Decimal System to find a book for your Game On badge. For nonfiction sporting selections, in both the Adult and Children's Departments, check the 796s for sport books. Use our endcaps to find the right number. Discover a good-looking read, and then share your thoughts after you've read it to earn your Game On badge.

Do you love to read so much that you will read almost anywhere? Where are you reading this summer? On the golf course? In a tent? On a boat? On vacation in some exotic locale? Or in your own tree fort? When you claim your Love It badge, upload a picture of you (or your family) reading. Not only will you earn your Love It badge, you will be entered in a random drawing for a prize! 

Have you earned your Green Thumb Badge yet? No? Good! Come to the library anytime during the week of June 23 to 29, 2013 and earn your badge by entering our Name the State Flower contest. Entry forms and state flower pictures will be at the Children's Reference Desk and one lucky winner will be drawn from the correct answers. Good luck and see you soon!

Read a story in a new way. Tumblebooks is an online database that contains hundreds of well loved children's books told in an animated, interactive format. Many contain games, quizzes or other activities at the conclusion of the story. You can access it from your home computer or iPad or here in the library. If you are reading here in the library don't forget to bring your headphones so you'll be able to listen to the story.

Healthy eating by Megan Borgert-Spaniol

Healthy foods from A to Z by [executive editor, Stephanie Maze] = Comida sana de la A a la Z / [editora ejecutiva, Stephanie Maze]

10 ways I can live a healthy life by Sara Antill

My healthy body by Liza Fromer and Francine Gerstein ; illustrated by Joe Weissmann

Going organic: a healthy guide to making the switch by Dana Meachen Rau

Cool relaxing: healthy & fun ways to chill out! by Alex Kuskowski

Canton Public Library's Connect Your Summer (CYS) reading program begins on Monday, June 17. Patrons of all ages are welcome to join us in the Community Room for a full day of fun events.  Learn about the twelve badges you can earn this summer and all of the exciting ways to earn them.  Participate in opening day activities like a bike safety program or giant Scrabble, get a blood pressure check from our partners at Walgreens, nosh on a Bob Evans cookie or play dress up at our photo booth.  At 7:00 PM, geek out with a contest and special showing of The Princess Bride. Some other plans for the summer include real horses at the library, Monday Movie Madness, and MANY other special programs and plenty of opportunities to earn badges and win prizes. So don't be shy, come into the the library this summer where we guaranteed to connect you to a good time!

On July 30 from 2:00-3:30 PM, kids aged 4-8 will hear a story and see a fabulous storybox created by local author and artist, Christina Smith. Ms Smith will then show kids how they can create a story box of their own. Space is limited. Registration begins on May 29.

Are you a creative kid? This crafty program is tailored to kids who are 7 to 10 years old. Let your creative side flow in our program, Creatapillars. Our project for July will be filled with paint and fun. We will meet on Wednesday, July 10, 2013 from 7:00-7:45 PM. Registration will begin Monday, June 24, 2013.

[Caterpillar by Rickydavid is licensed under CC BY-SA 2.0]

Are you a creative kid? This crafty program is tailored to kids who are 7 to 10 years old. Let your creative side flow in our program, Creatapillars. Our project for August will be crafty and summery. We will meet on Wednesday, August 7, 2013 from 7:00-7:45 PM. Registration begins Monday, July 29, 2013.

[Caterpillar by Rickydavid is licensed under CC BY-SA 2.0]

Do you love swirling pops of color? Have you always wanted to make your own t-shirt? Well, come to our all ages Summer Tie Dye Event on Thursday, July 18, 2013 from 2:00 to 4:00 PM and have a blast tie dying your own clothes! You must bring your own shirts, socks, canvas bags, pillow cases, etc. that you want to dye. See you there!

Did you know August 9th is National Book Lovers Day? Join us Friday, August 9 from 2:00-2:45 PM for our Family Book Lovers Day Program. We'll have a great time hearing a story, eating a snack, talking about books, and working on a craft. Weather permitting, we'll be outside!

We all have a unique and creative ability. Especially children! On August 10 from 2:00-3:00 PM, Kathy Baker, fine artist, graphic designer, and CCS instructor, will present her Young Rembrandts art program to children kindergarten through 5th grade. By introducing her cog-art philosophy, children will learn to express themselves in a safe, fun and non-judgmental environment - an environment that tunes in to the unique individual needs and talents of each participant.

Kids Art Favorites Mosaic by Patrick Q is licensed under CC BY - SA 3.0

Come and meet Clifford, the BIG RED DOG! This year marks the 50th anniversary of the first Clifford Book. We will celebrate Clifford at our Big Red Program on June 27 from 7:00-7:45 PM. This program is for children ages 2-6. Supplies provided in the Clifford Celebration Program are limited to those children registered.

Cock-A-Doodle Doooooo! Come join author Christine Tricarico on July 17 from 10:00-11:00 AM for a rockin'read-aloud, doodle dance lesson and book signing at her Cock-a-doodle Dance Party! Children from birth through 5 years old will love the antics of these rawkus farm animals.

Carissa Knoles has been strumming to the beat of her own guitar since the young age of 14. When a guitar playing crush said, “girls don’t really play guitar,” she went out and bought one the very next day and has been rocking happily ever after! Since graduating with a Bachelors Degree in Children and Families from the University of Michigan in May 2010, Carissa has combined her knack for music and her passion for Early Childhood into the Music with Ms. Carissa program. Carissa has written her own original songs for the imaginative minds of the young and the young at heart. Join us in welcoming Ms. Carissa on July 30 from 10:00-11:00 AM. Although Ms Carissa generally plays to the 5 and under crowd, all ages are welcome to rock out!