If you've got a yen for Celtic folk music with a populist bent (think Ewan MacColl, Mick Moloney or Tommy Makem), two new CDs by famed area musician Terry Murphy will help satisfy your craving. You'll find Freeborn Man and Terry Murphy in the Folk & Ethnic section.

In honor of Shakespeare's birthday, why not pick up a great read dealing with the theater?

Tomorrow is the beginning of National Dance Week, so get ready to celebrate from April 24 to May 3! Break into spontaneous dance moves, learn more about dancing, or share a dancing story of your own by commenting on this post. In just a few more weeks I’ll have my own tap shoes on and join the recital madness, and while not everyone is going to be on stage, anyone can grab a good dance read!

The weather is getting warmer and children are eager to play outside.  Their curiosity often leads them to investigate all the little critters crawling about, and sometimes a bug or two might even make its way home with them.  Then what do you do?  The Animal Planet Pet Care series has a book Bugs as Pets which tells you how to house and properly care for your new "pet". 

Have you heard about the 50 States Project?  Throughout the upcoming year 50 photographers, one for each of the 50 States, will photograph the State where they live. Every two months each photographer will be sent an assignment by e-mail, they then have two months to produce one image in response. The images must represent both their style and the State in which they live. January's assignment was People and photos from around the country can now be seen online.

If you are considering a new addition to your family, the library is a great place to start. We have many books available to help you select a pet for your family. The Animal Planet Pet Care series has books on dogs, cats, hamsters, birds, fish and even bugs as pets!

Just in time for Earth Day, the first release from the Disneynature series opens today.

Get crafty with help from these books. These craft projects with They Might Be Giants playing in the background could lead to a very fun rainy day!

Nature's art box: from t-shirts to twig baskets, 65 cool projects for crafty kids to make with natural materials you can find anywhere by written by Laura C. Martin; with drawings by David Cain

Crafty kids: fun projects for you and your toddler by Rosie Hankin

Hey kids, did you know that this Thursday (April 23) marks the anniversary of both William Shakespeare's birth and death? Celebrate "The Bard" with a fun mystery like Shakespeare's Secret by Elise Broach or check out the rest of the Children's Department's collection of Shakespeare-related materials.

Poetry is celebrated during National Poetry Month each April, but it's good reading all year long. This collection is especially designed for children, including kids who might want to write their own poetry, but aren't sure how to start. We have the answer.

Books of Poems

Wham!

If you love to surround yourself in silliness and hang out with crazy characters that have more character than a next door neighbor with a llama, check out Roald Dahl's book Vile Verses! It's poetry for those of us who are still hanging out with Oopa-Loompas and never got off the Great Glass Elevator. Enjoy!

Did you get a hoot out of Hoot? Then check out some of these other great 'green' reads!

Running out of things to do on Spring Break? Besides your favorite programs at the library, there are many places to go and things to see in the Metro Detroit Area. You can access many attractions through the library’s Museum Adventure Pass program, explore Michigan recreation online, sift through Everything Canton for fun activities, or find books filled with things to do!

Hey 5^th & 6^th graders – I hope you can join us for our next Tween Book and Pizza Club on Saturday, May 2, from 1-2pm. This month we’re reading Stephenie Meyer’s Twilight. Registration begins this Saturday (April 18) at 9am, so sign up and come pick up a copy of the book at the main children’s reference desk. Hope to see you soon!

Now that the sun is shining more and more, why not learn about how you can use the sun's energy to generate electricity and power. Here is a nifty website with more on solar power and below are some books to help you learn more:

Energy from the sun by Allan Fowler

Harnessing power from the sun by Niki Walker

Solar power: a true book by Christine Petersen

Have fun at the library during Spring Break! 
Spring Crafts: Children, ages 4-8, are invited to make some fun crafts to take home. 
Program Date: Tuesday, 4/14 from 10 - noon (No Registration Required)
Teen MarioKart Wii Tournament: Are you ready to race? Seventh through Twelfth graders can take to the track. Top three win prizes; food provided. All players must be there at 1 p.m. to compete.

Spring is here and I am getting out my Bonsai. The Library is a good source for books on how create and take care of these miniature trees. The Bonsai Workshop by Herb L. Gustafson has an excellant section on pruning. It not only describes how to do it but why and when.

Tweens in grades 5 and 6 can join us for the 3-D movie Journey to the Center of the Earth on the big screen in the Community Room on Thursday, April 16, at 6:30 pm. We'll have nifty 3-d glasses for everyone.  Online registration is open.

Do you love coming to Book Discussions at the library? Do you wish we offered more? There’s good news: you can take matters into your own hands and start your own book club. We have a collection of kits that include multiple copies of a book as well as discussion questions. Just ask at the Children’s Desk for the kit you’re looking for. So grab a kit, nine buddies, maybe a snack and you’ll be ready to have your own Book Discussion!

Just a reminder: The library will be closed this Sunday, April 12 for the Easter holiday. We will re-open Monday, April 13th at 9:00 am.