Thisissand.com is a fun website that turns your computer screen into a sand box. You're taken to what is initially a blank screen with a tiny gray box in the left hand corner. Hold down the mouse to see what happens. Then click on the little gray box for more directions. You can use this website to make incredible designs like the one on the right. Let your creative juices flow and have fun! Don't forget to check out the gallery to see others amazing artwork.

If you, like so many other grandparents are hosting your grandchildren this summer Canton Public Library offers a wide variety of programs for babies through teens this summer.  Looking for more ideas? Check out the Foundation for Grandparents' website to find suggestions for activities and tips on grandparenting.
 

The 2012 London Olympics by Nick Hunter — Last night, sadly, was the closing ceremonies for the 2012 Olympic Games in London. It was such a spectacle to watch and I have to admit, I may be going through Olympic withdrawal. Are you? Have no fear! We have great books on London, Brazil (where Rio de Janeiro will be the host of the 2016 Summer Games), and the Olympics. Have fun reading and reliving all your favorite things about this year's Summer Games!

Canton is very proud of Olympic Gold Medal Winner Allison Schmitt, who won gold, silver and bronze medals in swimming at the 2012 Summer Olympic Games. If you would like to help celebrate this hometown champion there will be a celebration rally on Tuesday, August 14 at 6:00 PM at Heritage Park Amphitheater. Congratulations Allison!
[Allison Schmitt by Jdalasica is licensed under CC BY-SA 2.0]

On Thursday September 13, from 6:30-8:30 PM, Starfish Family Services will present the first part of their informative parenting workshop on Problem Solving with your child. Titled "Turning Conflicts into Learning", they will present strategies for using conflict situations to develop important social skills as well as methods of using natural or logical consequences for setting limits. This program is developed for parents, grandparents and caregivers of children birth to five years old. Children are welcome as Starfish provides licensed daycare in the Purple Room during the workshop.

Every year, at this time, kids are preparing to go back to school. Here is a list of some great stories to help everyone get ready for that fun first day!

It's my school by Sally Grindley; illustrations by Margaret Chamberlain

Mr. Ouchy's first day by B.G. Hennessy; illustrated by Paul Meisel

Miss Mingo and the first day of school by Jamie Harper

The Secondhand Prose used bookstore (brought to you by the Friends of the Canton Public Library) is happy to offer August buys where you can get a great deal on gifts for the whole family, including yourself!

Buy two get one free

Hard back mystery, romance and novels

Bag Sale

Fill a bag and purchase the lot for just $5 (some restrictions may apply):

• Friday, August 24, 10:00 AM-4:00 PM
• Saturday, August 25, 10:00 AM-2:00 PM
• Monday, August 27, 10:00 AM-4:00 PM

Did you know the library has a great collection of international language items for kids? Among those many items, we have some fun picture books in Spanish. Check out some of the suggestions below:

Bravo! by Ginger Foglesong Guy ; illustrated by Rene King Moreno

Floating on Mama's song = Flotando con la canciâon de mamâa by Laura Lacâamara ; illustrated by Yuyi Morales

There's still plenty of time to hit the beach this summer. Here are some great picture books full of beachy fun to read before you go.

A beach tail by Karen Lynn Williams ; illustrated by Floyd Cooper

The boy on the beach by story and pictures by Niki Daly

Mermaids Parade by Melanie Hope Greenberg

Have a long car trip planned? Looking for some fun music to entertain the whole family? Here is a list of some great car tunes everyone will love.

Mater's car tunes [sound recording]: rock and rust with songs inspired by Disney-Pixar Cars!

Wee sing in the car [sound recording] by Pamela Conn Beall and Susan Hagen Nipp

Car tunes [sound recording] by Sugar Beats

Ciao ragazzi. That's Italian for "Hi Kids". LB is at it again. He justreturned from a pretty amazing trip to Rome and Venice in Italy. You know, the birthplace of pizza and gelato. Mmmmm. Course there are lots of other neat things to do and see in Italy besides eat. You can visit things like the Coliseum and the Pantheon in Rome that were built way back in Roman times (a long long time ago — before even your grandparents were born). You can ride a gondola in Venice like LB did. Venice has more canals then streets so gondolas are special boat taxis. Looking at LB's pictures is making me hungry. I think it's time for lunch.

Hey Kids,
Why do I have a boot on my head? Well, to find out you'll have to read this great new book I found:

Squid and Octopus: friends for always by Tao Nyeu — It's about a Squid and an Octopus who are friends and the adventures they have. The stories are funny and the pictures are amazing.

Tao Nyeu, the author and illustrator, has two other really great books that you should check out. I give it two Paws Up. Way Up.

Bear Hugs,
Thorndyke

Acclaimed children's author Margaret Mahy passed away Monday. July 23, in Christchurch in her native New Zealand.  She is a recipient of the Hans Christian Andersen Award and the Carnegie Medal (Britain's equivalent to our Newberry).  She authored more than 150 books, some of which you can find at Canton Public Library.

On Thursday, August 23 from 9:30-11:30 AM join Starfish Family Services as they present Back Yard Science: the components of the preschool scientific method and strategies to support learning.  Children are welcome as Starfish provides licensed daycare in the Purple Room during the workshop. 

Beloved children's author Else Holmelund Minarik passed away July 12, 2012 at the age of 91. She is perhaps best known for her Little Bear stories, the first of which was published in 1957. In 1997 New York Times named Little Bear as one of the best children's books of the previous half-century.

Beloved author of the Encyclopedia Brown series, Donald J. Sobol, passed away July 11, 2012. He was 87 years old. His Encyclopedia Brown series debuted in 1963 and has delighted children for decades. Sobol's son has said his father died of natural causes. Mr. Sobol is survived by his wife, sister, three children, and four grandchildren.