Songify, a creative and lively app, will turn anyone into a music master. It tunes, chops, and syncs your spoken words with pre-written background music. When you are finished you have a fun song featuring you. This app is available for multiple platforms all for free!

The extraordinary education of Nicholas Benedict by Trenton Lee Stewart; illustrated by Diana Sudyka — is a must-read for anyone who has read books from Stewart's series, The Mysterious Benedict Society. Nine-year-old Nicholas has been shifted from orphanage to orphanage because no one quite knows how to deal with this brilliant, bizarre child plagued with narcolepsy. At Rothchild's End Nicholas encounters unchallenged bullies, self-absorbed adults, and ridiculous rules and procedures. He also presented with an intriguing mystery that if solved could make him a millionaire and buy his freedom from insufferable orphanages forever. On his quest to find the enigmatic treasure before the orphanage's director, Nicholas faces unexpected obstacles, but also forms rich frienships.

A new champion speller will be crowned Thursday at the conclusion of the Scripps National Spelling Bee competition in Washington D.C. Don't miss the action starting at 8:00 PM on ESPN. Also, Bee officials announced on Tuesday that a world bee of the English language is in the preliminary planning stages for next year.

Memorial Day kicked off summer celebrations all over Michigan. As the days get warmer, enjoy some of these picture books filled with great ways to spend those summer days.

Summer days and nights by Wong Herbert Yee

Now it is summer by written by Eileen Spinelli; illustrated by Mary Newell DePalma

Kitten's summer by Eugenie Fernandes

Picture books about the moon are a perfect choice for bedtime reading. If you're a fan of the classic story Goodnight Moon, give these other great books a try.

And if the moon could talk by Kate Banks; pictures by Georg Hallensleben

Papa, please get the moon for me by Eric Carle

Kitten's first full moon by Kevin Henkes

Leo Dillon, award-winning illustrator, has passed away at the age of 79. Working in collaboration with his wife Diane, Dillon illustrated numerous picture books for children, including the Caldecott Medal winners Why Mosquitoes Buzz In People's Ears and Ashanti To Zulu: African Traditions. The Dillons also created illustrations for the Madeleine L'Engle novels A Wrinkle In Time and A Swiftly Tilting Planet.

Leo and Diane Dillon were also famous for their cover artwork for adult science fiction novels, winning the Hugo Award in 1971 for Best Professional Artist.

Have you seen the baby ducks yet? If duck watching has made you interested in finding out more about how our feathered friends grow up, here are some books to check out:

Little ducks by Anne Royer

Duck by Barrie Watts

Watch me grow duckling by written and edited by Lisa Magloff

San Francisco's Golden Gate Bridge turns 75 on May 27. On that day in 1937 over 200,000 people crossed the bridge on foot and roller skates. The bridge links the City of San Francisco with Marin County. Singer Tony Bennett immortalized the Golden Gate Bridge in the song "(I Left My Heart) In San Francisco". Construction on the bridge began on January 5, 1933 and ultimately cost $35million. Take a virtual walk across the bridge, read about the history of this world famous bridge, or watch the Golden Gate Bridge being constructed.

Golden Gate Bridge [videodisc] by a Ben Loeterman Productions, Inc. film

ABC Activity Time will run until June 9th. 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.

Family Storytime will run until June 9th. 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.

Join us Saturday, June 23 from 2:00-5:00 PM for our Pokemon Black and White Tournament. Bring your Nintendo DS and your copy of Pokemon Black or White for an epic style poke-throwdown!

June 19, 2:00-4:00 PM. Scrabble on our insane 10x10-foot board.

On Wednesday, June 13, from 10:00-10:40 AM, Thirupu Siva will teach children five-nine years old the basic asanas building up to intermediate poses. If attending, please wear loose fitted clothing and bring a yoga mat or towel on which to learn. Registration for this program begins on May 24 at 9:00 AM.

[Vrksasana – postura del árbol / Amineko Yoga by ((carol)) is licensed under CC BY-SA 2.0]

Our last Target Family Reading Night for the school year will be Monday, June 11, 2012 from 7:00-8:00 PM. We'll have fun on an Outer Space Adventure. Registration will begin May 24 and this program is open to children four to nine years old and their caregiver. Get ready to blast off with us!

[Star-forming region NGC 3603 is by NASA, ESA, and The Hubble Heritage Team (STScI) as licensed under this notice.]

The case of the deadly desperados by Caroline Lawrence — The setting of this new historical fiction mystery is the Wild West, where desperados, gamblers and gunmen abound. In this western, P.K. Pinkerton is on the run from a ruthless gang, determined to hold on to his families last priceless possession. Relying on disguises, P.K. must outwit the outlaws in this fast-paced, fun adventure.