Hi there Kids! Do you love whales? They are so graceful and lovely, aren't they? Come to our Whales All Around program on Monday, March 5th from 7:00-7:45 PM. We'll have lots of fun reading about whales, making a craft, and having a sea worthy snack. This program is open to kids ages 3 years to 5 years old with a caregiver. Registration begins Monday, Feb. 20th. See you there!

All ages may enjoy a storytime program in Tamil presented by Sivakami Rajendran.

Program Date: Thursday, March 1st at 7:00 PM in the Purple Room

Hey Hockeytown! Tuesday night, February 14, 2012, our Detroit Red Wings will be playing for not just another win against the Dallas Stars. They will be playing for a record breaking win. Currently, our Wings have tied the record at 20 home games won in a row, tomorrow they are hoping to break that record with their 21st home game win. I have tickets, do you? If not, be sure to watch the game on TV or check our awesome selection of items on the Red Wings. My fingers are already crossed, are yours?

Jim Gill, master of all things fun and silly, has a new album.

Jim Gill presents music play for folks of all stripes [sound recording] by Gill, Jim — If you love bananas or pizza, this album has songs for you. If you love Mozart or friends, look no further. Jim Gill has created another great dancing, clapping, silly songs album for everyone young and old. You can find other Jim Gill albums in the Children's Department, too. Happy listening!

A Ball For Daisy, written and illustrated by Chris Raschka, has been awarded the 2012 Caldecott Medal. This wordless picture book tells the story of a spirited dog named Daisy and her beloved red ball. Through a turn of events, she gains a brand-new friend and realizes there can be more than one way to have fun. The brightly colored, expressive illustrations make this story an entertaining read for kids and adults alike.

Circles, squares, diamonds or rectangles, we have books that show all the angles. Triangles, ovals, octagons too, these books will teach them all to you!

All sorts of shapes by written by Hannah Reidy; illustrated by Emma Dodd; reading consultant, Susan Kesselring

Bear in a square by written by Stella Blackstone; illustrated by Debbie Harter

Circle dogs by Kevin Henkes; illustrated by Dan Yaccarino

If you haven't heard about the Preschool Prep DVD series, you are in for a real treat! This series began back in 2004 with "Meet the Letters" and "Meet the Numbers" using colors and graphics to familiarize children with letters as they begin to talk. Since then, they have branched out into colors, shapes and phonics. You can find this series in our Parenting collection, that is when they aren't checked out!

Preschool prep company [videodisc]: Meet the colors

Preschool prep company [videodisc]: Meet the letters

Guess what? Our beloved mitten state is celebrating a major milestone Thursday — 175 years of Statehood! Time does fly, doesn't it? We've seen both good and bad events in our historical journey through time, plus we have given birth to numerous famous people. On this date in 1837, President Jackson signed the bill that officially made us the 26th state in the union. There are lots of ways you can celebrate this momentous occasion including baking a cake shaped like Michigan, take pictures of your neighborhood, write what you love about our great state, or check out some of our wonderful materials on Michigan.

The American Library Association has announced the winners of the 2012 Youth Media Awards. Here are the winners, with special mentions below:

Winners

Dead end in Norvelt by Jack Gantos — Newbery Medal.

A ball for Daisy by Chris Raschka — Caldecott Medal

M is for masterpiece: an art alphabet by written by David Domeniconi ; illustrated by Will Bullas — is a great way to combine two great loves of mine — the ABC's and Art. This colorful book highlights a different item or person in the world of art and gives you a chance to brush up on your alphabet. Sounds like a winner to me. Enjoy!

All ages may enjoy a storytime program in Tamil presented by Sivakami Rajendran.

Program Date: Thursday, February 2nd at 7:00 PM in the Purple Room

Join us on Monday, February 20 for an all day family movie extravaganza starting at 10:00 AM with a film for our youngest patrons and gradually getting more sophisticated, until the 6:30 PM showing of Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part 2.

• 10:00 AM — Winnie the Pooh (G)
• 1:00 PM — Kung Fu Panda 2 (PG)
• 3:00 PM — Mr. Popper's Penguins (PG)
• 6:30 PM — Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part 2 (PG-13)

You may bring pillows, snacks, even your own comfy lawn chairs if you like.

There was a man who loved a rat and other vile little poems by written by Gerda Rovetch ; illustrated by Lissa Rovetch — is full of colorful, short poems will make you laugh and declare how gross they are all at the same time! My favorites are the man who kept sardines in his pants, the man who baked bread with a snake, and the man who found a kidney. Which ones did you enjoy?

ABC Activity Time 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. Program Dates and Times (January 16-February 17):

• Mondays-Saturdays*, 10:30-11:00 AM
• Mondays, 1:30-2:00 PM
• Tuesday and Wednesday, 7:30-8:00 PM

*Saturday sessions are in the Purple Room.

Family Storytimes begin the week of January 16. 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.

• 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 PM
• Thursdays, 10:00-10:30 AM
• Fridays, 10:00-10:30 AM
• Saturdays, 10:00-10:30 AM

Khan Academy is a free, fun, educational and totally awesome organization. The goal of Khan Academy is to change "education for the better by providing a free world-class education to anyone anywhere." The site contains over 2,700 videos on math, physics, biology, chemistry, finance and art. Students, parents, coaches, and teachers can use Khan Academy in many ways. Teachers and homeschool parents can use this resource to coordinate classwork and monitor student work. Kids looking for homework help can find explanations and practice examples on the virtual scratch pad. Adults looking for continuing education opportunities will find help here as well.

Please note that the day of our Tamil storytime for the month of January has changed. All ages may enjoy a storytime program in Tamil presented by Sivakami Rajendran.

Program Date: Thursday, January 12, 7:00 PM in the Purple Room

Can you believe it? The holidays are nearly upon us! Hanukkah starts this Wednesday, Dec. 21st and Christmas is right behind it on the 25th. Are you still looking for that perfect gift? Get crafty this holiday season with our selection of holiday craft books.

Frosty the Snowman is a classic winter song. But did you know there were so many different versions? Check out some of these great songs, and learn a new snowman song too!

Sing along! [sound recording] by Caspar Babypants

Kidz Bop Christmas [sound recording]

Christmas with the Chipmunks [sound recording] by Alvin, Simon & Theodore with David Seville

Phineas & Ferb holiday favorites [sound recording]

No two alike by Keith Baker — Snowflakes come in all shapes and sizes, with no two alike. This beautiful and simple picture book follows a pair of birds on a snowflake-filled journey through a winter landscape, where everything everywhere, from branches and leaves to forests full of trees, is unique, just like you and me!

Enjoy the snow and more winter tales!