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. 

Maurice Sendak, children's book author and illustrator, has passed away at the age of 83. Best known for his Caldecott Medal-winning book Where The Wild Things Are, which was also adapted into a major motion picture in 2009, Sendak wrote and illustrated many other well-known books in his 60-year career, including Outside Over There and In The Night Kitchen.

Do you love looking at the illustrations in a picture book? Did you know there is an award that is given out yearly for just that? It's true! The Caldecott Winners are chosen based on their beautiful and artistic illustrations. We have an extensive collection of them in our Children's Department. Try one out today!

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

Celebrate the season by picking up an easy-to-read book about springtime. You can find the books listed below in the Readers section in the Children's Department. Happy spring!

Springtime in Bugland! by David A. Carter

Happy go Ducky by cover illustration by Jackie Urbanovic ; story by Lori Haskins Houran ; pictures by Joe Mathieu

The Organization for Bat Conservation visited the library on Earth Day to kick-off our Earth Week celebrations. Mr. Chad presented their Animal Adaptations program and brought over a number of furry and feathered friends. Check out our slideshow.

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

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)

To wrap up our Earth Week celebrations, CPL will present a screening of the original, 1972, animated version of Dr Seuss's The Lorax. Join us on Friday, April 27 at 4:00 PM to watch the story of the greedy, truffula tree-chopping Once-lers and the brave little Lorax who speaks up for the vanishing forest. When the film is over patrons are invited to create their own truffula tree vista to brighten up their home. This program is open to families and kids of all ages.

This post is part of our Earth Day 2012 celebration.

Meet and learn about some of Michigan's animals that wake up when you go to bed! The Organization for Bat Conservation will present their program: Animal Adaptations: Bats! Owls! Flying Foxes!. Discover the fascinating features and adaptations of a variety of Michigan's native nocturnal creatures. In this program, learn what adaptations are, how they are formed and why animals develop these amazing tools for survival. Live animals will be present! Join us on Sunday, April 22nd from 2:00-3:00 PM to kick off our Earth Week celebrations.

This post is part of our Earth Day 2012 celebration.

Have you ever wondered what it's like to be a bee? How do they live? What do they do? Join us Thursday, April 12th from 3:00 to 4:00 PM where we will learn all about bees! Live bees will be present at the program! Registration begins online Thursday, March 29th. This program is for kids ages 6 years to 9 years and their caregiver. See you there!

Benjamin Bear in Fuzzy thinking: a Toon book by Philippe Coudray — is a quick read with early reading level text. This short graphic novel is really great for kids in Kindergarten to Second grade. Each comic is a one page episode in Benjamin Bear's life with his animal friends and is sure to get some giggles out of the reader. Enjoy!

What happens when you combine great stories with an easy-to-make treat? You get "Snack Tales!" This program is for kids in grades K-4 with a caregiver. Join us Wednesday, March 28, from 7:00-7:45 PM to enjoy a story and make an edible treat based on that story. Registration begins March 14, 2012.

Kids and Tweens in grades K-6, improve your reading skills and make a new friend by reading aloud to a dog. Sign up begins at 6:25 PM and is on a first come, first serve basis. Sessions are 10 minutes long.

Program Date: Monday, April 23rd, 6:30-8:30 PM

Looking for a funny and easy read? Try some of the books listed below next time you need a good laugh. They can all be found in the Readers section in the Children's Department. Happy reading!

Splat the cat sings flat by Rob Scotton

Itchy, itchy chicken pox by Grace Maccarone; illustrated by Betsy Lewin

Amelia Bedelia under construction by story by Herman Parish; pictures by Lynn Sweat

On Wednesday, March 7 from 7:00-7:45 PM, members of the Kiwanis Club of Canton will read stories and offer other fun activities. Don't forget to bring your listening ears! All ages welcome.