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.

Help your infant develop brain power and have fun by trying out some new games during playtime. Below are some suggested books filled with ideas for baby and caregiver play. You can find these titles in the Parenting section in the Children's Department.

Baby minds: brain-building games your baby will love by Linda Acredolo, Ph.D. and Susan Goodwyn, Ph.D

Baby play by general editors Wendy S. Masi, Roni Cohen Leiderman

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!

Is vocabulary your downfall? Taking the ACT/SAT soon? Working on the TOEFL? Struggling with your 3^rd grade homework? For all ages, Word Dynamo has great vocabulary games for standardized tests. Even science vocab (get taught, say, the bones in the body). Play along and learn something new!

Cold cereal by Adam Rex — If you are a cereal lover as I am, you may never be able to eat it again with impunity after reading this book. However, this zany, fast-paced, hilarious fantasy adventure by Rex is totally worth it. Scott Doe has the ability to see magical creatures that no one else can, but doesn't really realize it. Emily and Erno are super smart twins involved in an nefarious experiment, but do not know it. Goodco Cereal Company is capturing magical beings and draining the "glamour" from them to use as an addictive additive to their products, but consumers haven't a clue. A bigfoot butler, a snarky leprechaun, and a rabbit-headed man are some of the lucky few creatures who have managed to escape Goodco's ever-expanding power.

We are proud to announce the newest arrival to the library — our new baby fish! Now, we just need a little help naming him. Stop by the Children's Department to submit your name suggestion, or leave a comment on our Facebook page.

Our art collection has many different topics in it and one that I just know you will enjoy is our array of books by Charles Schultz. The Peanuts characters have been beloved by millions for many, many years. Be sure to check out our selections located in both the Children's and Adult departments. I can almost hear Schroeder playing the famous theme song now. Enjoy!

Tim Heller, avid chess player, hosts informal open play on Sunday, April 29 at 1:00 PM in the Community Room while providing instruction and pointers on improving your game. Beginners welcome. Note: no chess on April 8 due to the Easter holiday.

The following series books will be temporarily unvailable while the spine labels are being changed:

• Candy Apple — new location will be J Fiction Candy Apple
• Farley's Stallion — new location will be J Fiction Farley
• Flower Fairies — new location will be J Fiction Flower Fairies

Thank you, again, for your patience and understanding.

You’re invited to join CPL, Huntington Learning Center and Shooter from the Plymouth Whalers for a free workshop Saturday, March 24th from 2:00-3:30 PM. The workshop will offer you and your child valuable practical advice on how to tackle everyday homework problems and ensure that your children have the right environment and skills for completing assignments to the very best of their abilities. Welcome time, including snacks and a photo op with Shooter, will take place from 2:00-2:30 PM with the workshop to follow from 2:30-3:30 PM.

March 20th is a beautiful day in the neighborhood. Not only is it the first day of spring, but it is also Fred Rogers's birthday. His ground breaking children's program, Mister Roger's Neighborhood, premiered on PBS in 1969 and stayed on the air for three decades. Many of today's parents have fond memories of growing up "visiting" with Mister Rogers. He even received the Presidential Medal of Freedom and a Lifetime Achievement Emmy for his work in children's television. Although it will probably be too warm to wear a sweater, change into your comfy shoes and introduce your children to a time when tv shows were slower by checking out some of the resources here at Canton Public Library.

Easter is just around the corner. Introduce your children to the holiday with one of the many films we have here in the Children's Library.

Easter [videodisc] by Schlessinger Media — Basic, nonfiction information about the Easter holiday and how families celebrate

Yogi the Easter bear [videodisc] by Hanna-Barbera Cartoons in association with Fil-Cartoons; produced by Davis Doi; directed by Robert Alvarez; teleplay by Jeff Holder — Yogi Bear must give away baskets instead of stealing them in this special.