Hey all of you little folk, come to our library and get your dance on!  This program is an open dance party with both guided and freestyle songs to get you movin' and groovin'.  This program is designed for new walkers up to 5 years old and is a great way to have some fun!

• Tuesday, March 12, 7:00-7:30 PM
• Saturday, March 23, 2:00-2:30 PM

On Thursday, March 28, 9:00-11:30 AM trainers from Starfish Family Services will present the workshop Caregiver Interactions: What You Say Is Important.  They will share what techniques may be used to enhance caregiver-child interactions.  Parents, grandparents and day-care providers are all welcome.  Bring your children, too as Starfish's licensed childcare providers will be on hand to watch them during the workshop. 

Many of the puppets in the children's department have gone on vacation for a few days to be cleaned and sanitized. They will be back soon, and look forward to playing with their many fans.

If you are looking for special Mid-winter Break activities (beyond what you can do at Canton Public Library that week) you might want to check out the Cranbrook Science Center. During winter break, visitors will have the unique opportunity to help conserve a 200 year old cannon discovered in the Detroit River.  The cannon has been submerged in a electrolysis bath for the past 18 months in order to loosen the rust and other build up the cannon has accumalated. Now participants can help gently scrub all those deposits away.  You can help save the cannon daily from 1-4 pm February 18th-22nd.  

Wednesday, February 6th is National Frozen Yogurt Day.  Canton's own Menchie's Frozen Yogurt will be giving away 6 ounces of frozen yogurt to customers with a coupon all day.  To get a coupon visit the Menchie's website for details. If you prefer to stay in and make your own frozen yogurt, check out one of our books with tons of tasty recipes.  No matter how you celebrate National Frozen Yogurt Day, it is sure to be delicious!

In celebration of Women's History Month, we are pleased to host two luminaries from our past:  former first lady Mary Todd Lincoln and famous author Beatrix Potter.  Re-enactor Marie Papciak will bring these two famous women to life in her presentation.  With over 30 years of experience, Ms. Papciak will bring the characters to life to the delight of children and adults alike on Saturday, March 16 at 2:00 PM.  No registration is required.  

Have you found  yourself following rainbows to find pots of gold? Do you have a four-leaf clover tucked in your pocket? Come to our March Family Fun Night, Wednesday, March 20, 2013, from 7:00-8:00 PM. We'll have a green snack, do some fun St. Patty's Day activities, and if luck travels with us--a surprise! Registration is open on Friday, February 22, 2013 and open to kids ages 5 to 9 years old with a caregiver. See you there!
[Baby Leprechaun at Play by ihave3kids is licensed under CC BY-SA 2.0]

"Back to Front and Upside Down!" written and illustrated by Claire Alexander, is the winner of the Schneider Family Book Award 2013 for children ages 0-10. This award is for books that embody an artistic expression of the disabililty experience. A Dog called Homeless" written by Sarah Lean, is the winner of this award for middle school kids, ages 11-13. The teen award winner, for ages 13-18, is "Somebody, Please Tell Me Who I Am," by Harry Mazer and Peter Lerangis.

The one and only Ivan by Katherine Applegate ; illustrations by Patricia Castelao has been awarded the John Newbery Medal for the most outstanding contribution to children's literature for the year 2013. This heart-moving tale about a captive silverback gorilla was inspired by a true story. Ivan has spent 27 years of his life at The Big Top Mall, a cheap roadside circus attraction, confined to an enclosure of glass, metal, and concrete. He has become numb to his existence, watching TV, dabbling with art, and eating food thrown to him. Bob, a spunky dog, and Stella, an aging elephant are his only friends and companions. Ivan's melancholy life begins to change, however, when Ruby, a young vibrant elephant appears on the scene and Stella dies from neglect. Stella's dying plea to Ivan is help Ruby escape.

Awards season is upon us and here are your 2013 Coretta Scott King Author and Illustrator Awards:

Author Award:
"Hand in Hand: Ten Black Men Who Changed America" by Andrea Davis Pinkney

Author Honor Books:
"Each Kindness" by Jacqueline Woodson

"No Crystal Stair:  A Documentary Novel of the Life and Work of Lewis Michaux, Harlem Bookseller" by Vonda Micheaux Nelson

Illustrator Award:
"I, Too, Am America" illustrated by Bryan Collier

Illustrator Honor Books:
"H.O.R.S.E." illustrated by Christopher Myers

"Ellen's Broom" illustrated by Daniel Minter

"I Have a Dream: Martin Luther King, Jr." illustrated by Kadir Nelson

Along with the 2013 Caldecott Medal Winner, the 2013 Caldecott Honor books have also been announced. This year five picture books were selected to receive the Caldecott Honor. Those five recipients are:

Creepy carrots! by words, Aaron Reynolds ; pictures, Peter Brown

Extra yarn by Mac Barnett ; illustrated by Jon Klassen

This Is Not My Hat, written and illustrated by Jon Klassen, has been awarded the 2013 Caldecott Medal. Klassen's story of a little fish, a big fish, a stolen hat and the consequences that follow is told through spare text and simple, yet clever illustrations. This award-winner will have kids and parents turning the pages over and over to enjoy both the story and the artwork.

Give a sunshiney, warm welcome to Gustafer Yellowgold! A friendly creature who came to Earth from the sun, Gustafer is living out an explorer’s life in a slightly psychedelic version of the Minnesota woods with a sensitive Dragon, fashionista Pterodactyl, his best friend the Eel, among many others.  The Rock Melon Tour is a multi-media performance of live music, animated illustrations and storytelling presented by its creator, Morgan Taylor.

In honor of the 75th Caldecott Medal awarded this year, we are polling patrons for their favorite book.  Come into the Children's Library during February to browse our reference collection of Caldecott winners, and then submit a vote for your favorite.  The winning book will be read at a special Caldecott Celebration in March. 

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 crafting program, Creatapillars. Our project for February will be working with salt dough. We will meet on Wednesday, February 20, 2013 from 2:00 PM to 3:00 PM. Registration will begin Friday, January 25. See you there!

[Caterpillar by Rickydavid is licensed under CC BY-SA 2.0]

Do you have an itch to build your own car? What about a tower taller than you? Come to our Lego Fun program Friday, February 22, 2013 from 2:00 to 3:00 p.m. All ages are welcome. It's going to be a blast!

Join us on Monday, February 18 from 12:00-8:45 PM for an all-day family movie extravanganza.  You may bring pillows, snacks, even your own comfy blankets or chairs. 

12:00-1:00 - Wallace and Gromit shorts (G) Join the loveable duo of Wallace and Gromit; inventors of all manner of useful devices.
1:00-3:00 - The Incredibles (PG). A family of undercover superheroes, while trying to live the quiet suburban life, are forced into action to save the world.

On loan from the Charles H. Wright Museum of African American History is the Martin Luther King, Jr. exhibit entitled "Walk to Freedom." You can visit this exhibit, highlighting Dr. King's march down Woodward Avenue to Cobo Hall on Sunday, June 23, 1963, at Canton Public Library through the end of February. It was a nonviolent march supported by the Detroit Council of Human Rights, the NAACP, the UAW and many more. This famous "Walk to Freedom" was a 'dress rehearsal' for the famous March on Washington and Dr. King's I Have a Dream speech. Also be sure to check out the lovely, informative showcases in the library as we celebrate Dr. King and Black History Month.

In honor of Black History Month, and in partnership with the Plymouth Canton Citizens for Diversity and Inclusion, we are proud to show Akeelah and the Bee starring Angela Bassett, Laurence Fishburne and Keke Palmer.  It's the story of a young girl from south Los Angeles who tries to make it to the National Spelling Bee.  The movie will be followed by a discussion on preventing bullying and promoting inclusion led by PCCDI. Join us February 12 at 6:00 PM.