Thank you for nominating Canton Public Library in the LEGO DUPLO Read! Play! Build! project. CPL received 419 nominations, landing us in the top 200 libraries. We just received a fabulous set of DUPLO blocks — including people, animals, house and vehicle parts — that you will soon see in our ABC Activity Times and Family Lego Days. We also received a special group format version of their Read and Build kits that we are excited to use in other programming. Thank you again for supporting your Canton Public Library!

The holidays are a time of eating and most familes have a favorite holiday cookie that they cannot wait to eat during this time of the year.  On Saturday, December 8, at 2:00 PM, we invite you to take part in our Family Holiday Cookie Competition. Bring in a dozen cookies (or more!) from one of your favorite recipes, four to share with our panel of judges to evaluate on both taste and presentation and the rest to share with the lucky attendees.  While you're at it, you may share your recipe on the Canton Public Library's recipe blog here.

On Thursday, December 6, 7:00-7:45 PM, Thirupu Siva will teach young people from 6-16 years of age the basic asanas, building up to various intermediate poses.  Please wear loose fitting clothing and bring a towel or yoga mat to work on.  Registration for this program begins on November 22. 
[Halasana - Postura del Arado/Amineko Yoga by ((carola)) is licensed under CC BY-SA 2.0]

The Detroit Historical Museum will celebrate its  re-opening on Friday, November 23rd. The Museum will stay open for 55 1/2 hours,  offering free admission and special events.  There's plenty to see and do with the entire family, from walking the streets of 19th century Detroit, to mixing up some music at the new Kid Rock Music Lab.  Can't wait until Friday? There's lots of fun to be had on the Detroit Historical Society website right now.   

Are you a creative kid? This program is tailored to kids who are 7 to 10 years old. Let your creative side flow in our monthly program, Creatapillars. This exciting program will alternate between art themed and writing themed activities each month. For our December date, we will create festive noodle art. We will meet on Monday, December 3, 2012 from 7:00 p.m. to 7:45 p.m.  Registration will begin Monday, November 19, 2012. See you there!

Michigan's own Elmore Leonard was awarded The National Book Foundation's Medal for Distinguished Contribution to American Letters at the ceremony announcing the 2012 winners of the National Book Award.

The round house by Louise Erdrich

The Alumni of the Wayne State University School of Library and Information Science are partnering up with the Hip Hop Knit Shop to collect donations of new books and toys for the patients at the Children's Hospital of Michigan.  A list of suggested donations can be found here.  Due to the health conditions of the donation recipients, we can only collect new items at this time.  Through December 12, our donation bin will be located next to the library's reception desk.    Help us bring joy this holiday season to the patients of the Children's Hospital of Michigan by making a donation today! 

Hey kids,  I wanted to tell you about my favorite new book I found. It seems appropriate since we're coming up on Thanksgiving.  It stars one of my favorite book characters...

Bear says thanks by Karma Wilson ; illustrations by Jane Chapman — An impromptu party in Bear's Den prompts him to be thankful for all his friends. This book inspired me to share what I am thankful for...YOU!  I'm so glad that you come and visit me at the library, and read my blog.  And for all my Librarian friends who keep me company and look out for good books for me to read.  And for LB who keeps me up to date on the outside world, and keeps me company when the library is closed.
What are you thankful for?  I'd love to hear it.
Bear Hugs!
Thorndyke

Christmas spirit abounds as we gather on Sunday, December 9 at 4:00 PM to listen to the holiday sounds of the Detroit Handbell Ensemble.  Members share their musical talents by playing familiar holiday music on the amazing bells.  You will also learn a bit of history and how-to about bells.

Children ages 4-6 who are pre-K or in kindergarten are invited to this program designed especially for them. We will have great stories, a snack and a craft centered around a Christmas theme. Come join us for this fun time at the library on Tuesday, December 18, 4:00-4:45 pm.

Kids in grades K-4, join us for Snack Tales on Saturday, November 17, from 2:00-3:00 PM. We will read some turkey stories, and you will get to make a special treat. Registration begins Thursday, October 25. Please indicate any food allergies when registering.

Sunday, November 11th is International Tongue Twister Day. Early childhood research encourages tongue twisters as a method to teach alliteration and nurture young children's love of language. Additionally, they are simply, wonderfully fun! So celebrate by challenging your tongue's dexterity with a couple of twisters after dinner on Sunday. You can find lots of examples here at CPL, or find a few over at Simple Kids.

NHS students are here to provide 3rd-12th graders free homework help. If you're interested in getting tutored:

• You must be in 3rd through 12th grade
• If you're under 12, your parent must remain in the library
• You must bring the assignment and any other needed materials

Days and Times

• Monday from 6:00-8:00 PM by the Teen Desk
• Tuesday from 6:00-8:00 PM by the Teen Desk
• Tuesday from 6:00-8:00 PM at Plymouth District Library
• Wednesday from 6:00-8:00 PM at Plymouth District Library
• Thursday from 6:00-8:00 PM by the Teen Desk

Tutors will not be here during snow days or the holiday breaks, they need a break too!

The Wayne State University School of Library and Information Science Alumni are partnering with Hip Hop Knit Shop and Children's Hospital of Michigan to bring sick kids books, toys and stories and both the Canton and Plymouth Libraries are drop-off points. Starting November 1 through December 12, we will be collecting books and toys, telling stories, navigating art carts and knitting blankets for the kids at Children's Hospital. Join us as we help to make kids feel better this holiday season!

Hey kids, I told you LB was still at it. He just got home from his last trip for a while, a week in Chicago, Illinois. Now, LB's been to Chicago before (briefly) and I'm sure that many of you have been there too, being that it is so close. But I haven't, so most of what LB saw was new to me. First of all, LB got to take the train. It's the second time he's ridden one. I think LB just has to go on a cruise ship and he'll have experienced pretty much every type of transportation there is. And he got to meet Sue. Have you met Sue? She's big and has a very nice smile. She's a T-Rex skeleton at the Field Museum. And he spent a bit of time exploring Nacy Pier where he rode a ferris wheel and he went to the top of the Willis Tower. Apparently LB is not afraid of heights. He's been lots of places way up high! But I think he's ready to stay put for a while. I'm glad because it's been lonely around here without him.

Bear Hugs!
Thorndyke

Γεια σας παιδιά! Now don't adjust your screen — that's just "Hi Kids" in Greek. Yup, LB just got back from exploring Greece. Looks like he had lots of fun eating lobster, seeing ancient art and swimming in the ocean. I bet you know more about Greece than you think you do. The Olympics originated there, and you know all those gods in the Percy Jackson books you like? Yup. They're from Greece too. And if you like Baklava, they make it in Greece. Yum! Sounds like a place I'd like to go. Keep you eyes open.

Favorite children's author Steven Kellogg celebrated his birthday on October 26. He has written many fun and silly books for kids. Check some of them out:

A-hunting we will go! by Steven Kellogg

Pecos Bill: a tall tale by retold and illustrated by Steven Kellogg

On Wednesday, November 7 from 7:00-7:45 PM, Thirupu Siva will teach young people from 6-16 years of age the basic asanas, building up to various intermediate poses.  Please wear loose fitted clothing and bring a towel or yoga mat to work on.  Registration for this program begins on October 25. 
[Halasana - Postura del Arado/Amineko Yoga by ((carola)) is licensed under CC BY-SA 2.0]

ABC Activity Time will begin November 12. 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.

Sessions November 12-December 15

• 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

There will be no ABC Activity Time on Thursday, November 22 and Friday November 23 for the Thanksgiving Holiday. Gobble Gobble!

Are you in 5th, 6th, or 7th grade and looking for ways to fulfill your community service requirement for school? Join us and work as our Tween Service Corps. You can earn one hour of your community service time and also have fun helping out in the Children's Department. Our next date will be Saturday, November 10, 2012 from 1:00 PM to 2:00 PM. We look forward to seeing you!