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.

TinTin is on the prowl in this new adventure The Black Island by Herge. He is a brave reporter and also solves mysteries. It has action, adventure, and a mystery.  Can you solve the crime before our hero?  Good luck!

Do you know anything about your family history?  For example, many families have  descendants that came to America through Ellis Island in New York. April 17 is "Ellis Island Family History Day." More immigrants were processed on this day in 1907, than any other day in history. The statue of liberty was the first glimpse of America for millions of immigrants. Ellis island has a unique and interesting history as America's immigration station with a lot of family history to offer.

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)

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.

Kids, do you see animals around your neighborhood and wish they’d pay your yard a visit? Join us Thursday, April 26, from 7:00-8:00 PM to continue our Earth Week celebrations and learn how to use feeders, houses, baths, and more to make your yard the happening place to be. Participants will have the opportunity to create their own nestball to attract nesting birds.

For the past few years, the Canton Public Library has held a donation drive to commemorate Memorial Day by helping service men and women. Once again we will be collecting donations, this year for the VA Hospital of Ann Arbor , but there are many other rewarding ways to observe Memorial Day, including:

• Visiting cemeteries and placing flags or flowers on the graves of our fallen heroes
• Visiting war memorials
• Flying the U.S. Flag at half-staff until noon
• Participating in a National Moment of Remembrance at 3:00 PM to pause and reflect upon the true meaning of the day
• Attending a parade
• Watching a patriotic movie or reading a patriotic book

Check out websites like [White House] Joining Forces, where you can actually send a message of thanks to a military family and get other ideas for showing appreciation. Also, be sure to visit the library's displays on Memorial Day and the history behind some of our military traditions.

Before we celebrate Memorial Day, let's commemorate. Please help CPL as we collect items to be donated to the VA Hospital of Ann Arbor for distribution to homeless veterans. Donations will be appreciatively accepted beginning Thursday, May 10 through Thursday, May 31 at the Reception Desk.
Suggested donations include:

• Rolls of Lifesavers (or other hard candy)
• Rice Krispies bars (or granola bars, etc.)
• Plastic utensils (knives, forks, spoons)
• Napkins
• Ritz snack mix (or other trail mix)
• Easy-open cans of tuna, chicken or other meats

Other general requests include $5-10 gift cards to Wendy's or McDonald's; cans of coffee (regular or decaf); prepaid telephone calling cards; new crossword puzzles and word search books.

Who has time for family dinners anymore? We all do, according to author Miriam Weinstein in The Surprising Power of Family Meals. The benefits of eating a meal together are astounding, considering you don't have to sign-up, register, or pay for them outside of your grocery budget. Family meals are available, modest and valuable to your family. At a meal children can learn manners, family values, and good conversation. It's a great time for families to slow down and re-group.

Iceberg, right ahead!: the tragedy of the Titanic by Stephanie Sammartino McPherson is a wonderful resource for the latest information regarding the Titanic. On April 14, 2012 one century will have passed since this tragic maritime disaster occurred and many books have been published and events are planned to commemorate it. Seventy-three years separate the sinking of the vessel and the dramatic 1985 discovery of the wreck by Robert Ballard. McPherson fills in this time frame with actual stories about the victims, survivors, rescuers, reporters, investigators, and many others showing  the far-reaching effects this tragedy has had on society as a whole.

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.

We're celebrating Earth Day all week (April 22-27) and want you to join us! See the write up in the Canton Observer. There will be events for adults, teens, tweens and children, including:

• Bats! Owls! Flying Foxes! — Sunday, April 22, 2:00-3:00 PM
• Living Green in Southeast Michigan — Monday, April 23, 7:00-8:30 PM
• Composting and Healthy Lawns — canceled
• Vegetarian Eating for Everyone — Wednesday, April 25, 7:00-8:30 PM
• Attracting Backyard Wildlife — Thursday, April 26, 7:00-8:00 PM
• The Lorax (original 1972 animated version) — Friday, April 27, 4:00-5:15 PM

The Harry Potter books are now available in eBook format! You can check them out using your library card. Click the links below and then log in with your library card to see what's available or to place a hold.

• Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone
• Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets
• Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban
• Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire
• Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix
• Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince
• Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows

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: Tuesday, May 29, 6:25-8:25 PM

Hey kids,
Thorndyke here with a new friend that you might recognize. His name is Kermit the Frog. From what he tells me, it's not easy being green. And unless I want to get heckled by older gentlemen, I shouldn't tell jokes. Kermit and his friends the Muppets have a new movie out on DVD. If you didn't see it in the theater, you can put it on hold here at Canton Public Library. If you have seen it, you can move right along and check out one of their many other adventures. Sounds like something fun to look for next week on Spring Break!
Bear Hugs,
Thorndyke

The Hardy Boys series will be temporarily unavailable while changes are made to indicate its new location: J Fiction Dixon

Thank you for your patience and understanding during this process.

Children ages 4-9 with a caregiver can join us Monday, April 16 from 7:00-8:00 PM to celebrate the springtime season. We will read a story, enjoy activities, eat treats, and make a springy craft. Each family will also receive one free book to take home. This program is funded by the Target Store Early Childhood Reading Grant and the Friends of the Canton Public Library. Registration begins on March 26, 9:00 AM.