Did you know that Detroit was founded on July 24, 1701 by French explorer Antoine de la Mothe Cadillac? Commemorate the occasion with Madame Cadillac's Ghost by Janie Lynn Panagopoulos - a fun mystery about two kids left on their own to explore the Detroit Historical Museum (pictured left). If you get the chance, why not have your own adventure at the DHM? Admission is free during the month of July so it's definitely worth the trip!

You've probably heard of Arthur, the aardvark star of many books by Marc Brown.  But before he came along, there was another Arthur out there - Arthur the chimpanzee! Arthur is the star of many easy-to-read books.

Baby Beanies: Happy Hats to Knit for Little Heads by Amanda Keeys includes instructions for knitting a variety of adorable hats for newborns, babies, and toddlers. The patterns vary from very basic beginner level to more advanced, and all of them are mega cute.

I scream, you scream, we all scream for ice cream!  In case you missed National Ice Cream Day (July 19), don't  fear, the whole month of July is National Ice Cream Month!  So thank President Reagan for designating this month to a fun and nutritious food enjoyed by over 90% of the nation's population when you dig into that bowl of vanilla ice cream, the nation's favorite flavor.  To learn more about the history of ice cream read Marilyn Powell's Ice Cream: A History or make your own ice cream.  

Our new puppet kits have arrived and are currently being processed. Put yourself on hold for my personal favorite: Mama Cat Has Three Kittens by Denise Fleming. The adorable kitty puppets do a great job of bringing this story to life for your children.

Garden Anywhere: How to Grow Gorgeous Container Gardens, Herb Gardens, Kitchen Gardens, and More--Without Spending a Fortune by Alys Fowler

The title really says it all - don't miss this beautifully photographed guide to making gardens wherever it suits you.

President Obama will be in Warren today to give a speech at Macomb Community College. He plans to discuss the educational stimulus package of $12 billion to community colleges throughout the nation over the next 10 years. This goal focuses on worker retraining, modernizing facilities and improving online courses.

Do you have a fondness for Mary Poppins or a penchant for "Supernanny" Jo Frost?  If so, you'll enjoy Tips From a British Nanny, a little book with a lot of great advice. In these pages you'll find tips on teething, eating, sleeping, potty training and more. The author, Penelope Fairchild, is in fact a British nanny who lives and works in London. Check out her tried and tested advice today!

Calling all art lovers! Come to the 30th Annual Plymouth Art in the Park Festival! See crafters, painters, jewelry makers, photographers, sculptors, and so much more lining the streets of downtown Plymouth. Bring an umbrella and brave the rain to seek out something new and original that you can take home or shop ahead for a great gift! Who knows? Maybe the rain will manage to stay away....

Be sure to check out our special section of ABC and 123 books in aisle 1 in the children’s department next to the picture books. Here are some fun titles to check out:

Feast for 10 by Cathryn Falwell

Count on Clifford by Norman Bridwell

Carlo likes counting by Jessica Spanyol

If you're feeling a little plain, a little down in the dumps this summer, check out some of our Fancy Nancy books! These are really fun, especially if you're in need of fancy words to express yourself. Words like "heroine," "fascinating," or "biography." If all the Fancy Nancy books are checked out, you can visit her online, and have a thrilling time (thrilling is just a fancy word for really exciting).

Success stories are inspiring. In Outliers Malcolm Gladwell explains how several factors are important for a person to become really successful in any field. It is a fascinating read.

Mr. Troop Mom recently premiered on Nickelodeon, and now you can check it out here at the library! George Lopez is a widower who volunteers to chaperone his daughter's scout troop's camping trip. Hillarity inevitability ensues. Of course, this is not the first film that is set at camp. The Jonas Brothers went to Camp Rock last summer. Way back in 1969, Charlie Brown visits camp in It Was A Short Summer, Charlie Brown.

Award-winning author Michael Pollan's latest book In Defense of Food: An Eater's Manifesto takes a stab at the overabundance of processed foods lining supermarket shelves, referring to them as "edible food-like substances" pretending to be food. Pollan makes a strong case for going back to basics when it comes to the food Americans ought to eat: "Eat food. Not too much. Mostly plants." Pollan suggests we shouldn't eat foods our great-grandmothers wouldn't recognize. In other words, meals should be prepared with whole, unprocessed foods that are mostly fruits and vegetables.

Stitched Toys: 20 Stunning But Simple Designs by Kate Haxell includes instructions for making and embellishing twenty unique and appealing toys. The entire collection has a vintage aesthetic that will make these treasures seem like they've been in your family for years. The dog beanbag is my favorite.