Catalog

Search our Catalog

goulds's Blog

Destination College Savings

Destination College Savings is back! Twelve Michigan libraries and families have a chance to win $1,500 towards a child's future college education and $1,000 for their library. Entry forms are available at the library beginning June 20, 2011. Entries must be postmarked by August 12, 2011 and received by August 19, 2011. This summer reading program sweepstakes is sponsored by MESP, MET, and the Library of Michigan Foundation.
Jun 16, 2011

Dear Dumb, Dork and Wimpy Diaries

Kids, Tweens, ages 7-11, are you fans of the Dork Diaries, Dear Dumb Diary, or Diary of a Wimpy Kid books? Get together with other fans and share your opinions about your favorite diary series. You will also have a chance to get a start on your own personal diary.

When: Thursday, July, 7th, 2:00-2:45PM
Where: Purple Room
Registration begins June 23rd
Jun 13, 2011

Potato Play

Children, ages 5-9, with caregivers, can make an original Potato Head person with a real potato, just like in the old days. Learn some interesting facts about the Potato Heads, play a game, enjoy a healthy snack and have fun.
When: Wednesday, June 29, 7:00-7:45PM
Where: Purple Room
Registration begins June 15.
Jun 13, 2011

Memory Bank

The Memory Bank by Carolyn Coman and Rob Shepperson is an enjoyable, but puzzling story. Soft black&white pictures tell some of the story, as with Selznick's The Invention of Hugo Cabret. It has the dark, mysterious aura of Gaiman's Coraline. Parental figures are rather horrific, as one might find in Roald Dahl's creations. Hope Scroggins becomes entangled in the WWMB (World Wide Memory Bank) and a dream realm in a desperate search for her younger sister whom her parents told her to forget about after dumping Honey out of the car for misbehavior. But the whole book has a very surrealistic quality to it and I am wondering what is real, what is dreamed, what is the intent of the authors. As Keats might say, "Gone is the vision. Do I wake, or do I sleep?" So I am asking all readers to please post your thoughts/feelings/reactions to this awesome, but mysterious story.
Read more >>
Jun 07, 2011

Fantasy Floats

The Floating Islands by Rachel Neumeier — is another must-read for all tween/teen fantasy fans. Fourteen-year-old Trei lost his family to a volcanic explosion and seeks refuge with his aunt, uncle, and cousin in the neighboring, airborn kingdom of the Floating Islands. Upon arriving he sees men soaring in the skies with wings and dragon magic and is consumed with the desire to also be a kajurai. Soon after his arrival his aunt and uncle become victims of a horrid epidemic. Now is cousin Araene is also an orphan and must decide what she will do with her life. The constraints on woman in her kingdom are unbearable, but she is clever and soon finds a way to pursue her love of the culinary arts, as well as to use her gifts in the art of magic - as long as no one discovers her sexual disguise that is.

Read more >>
May 17, 2011

Emerald Atlas — a Gem of a Fantasy

Ready for another fantastic fantasy series? The Books of Beginning is here, beginning with The Emerald Atlas by John Stephens. Meet Kate, Michael, and Emma — siblings who have been ousted from many orphanages ever since the disappearance of their parents 10 years ago. They finally wind up in a very strange home in Cambridge Falls run by a Dr. Pym that has no other children at all. While exploring this run-down mansion, they happen upon a mysterious emerald atlas that has the power to transport them in time. From this point on their lives are filled with fast-paced magical adventures in that age-old struggle between good and evil.
Read more >>
May 05, 2011

Free Comic Book Day!

The first Saturday of May each year is Free Comic Book Day. This year it will be Saturday, May 7th and you will have a chance to get free comic books. A limited number will be available at the library, but more can be had by visiting our local comic store, Comic City, located at 42727 Ford Road, Canton, MI. Comic lovers of all ages across North America and around the world will be enjoying this special event. Join them!
Apr 30, 2011

Trouble with Chickens

Are you in the mood for a pun-a-page mystery featuring adorable chickens, a feather-brained hen (their mom), and a daring, deadpan-humored dog? Then get on the wait list for The Trouble with Chickens — a J.J. Tully Mystery by Doreen Cronin. Tully is a former search-and-rescue dog that is trying to enjoy his retirement years, when two puffy chicks (Dirt and Sugar) and their mom (Moosh) appear peeping for his help. Poppy and Sweetie are missing! Tully won't work for chicken feed, but he will take the case for a cheeseburger. Snooping for clues along twisting trails, under sagging couches, and down slippery hallways, Tully wonders if he is on a wild chick chase.
Read more >>
Apr 12, 2011

Plain Kate

One of my esteemed colleagues, whose opinion I value very highly, once gave a presentation illustrating that you can tell a book by its cover. So, when I picked up Plain Kate by Erin Bow to read, I looked at its cover and thought I was in for a fanciful tale about an orphan girl and her cat, probably set in 18th century London; a simple, sweet story about a chimney sweep lass — along the lines of Mary Poppins and Bert. Forget it! Witchcraft, mysteriously sinister magic, gyspies, bigotry, superstition, loss of loved ones, hunger, plagues, death… those are but some of the dark elements behind this light dreamy-looking cover.
Read more >>
Apr 02, 2011

Children's Book Week (May 2-8)

Children's Book Week has been celebrated since 1919 as a way to promote a love of reading in children. There are book parties, storytelling festivals, special author and illustrator appearances… whatever communities feel will inspire young readers to read more. The idea for Children's Book Week really began in 1913 when Franklin K. Matthiews, librarian for the Boy Scouts of America, began touring the United States to promote higher standards in children's books. He enlisted the help of others in the publishing and library fields and a great event was born. As one supporter, Frederic Melcher, said, "A great nation is a reading nation." Although Children's Book Week has changed as to when it is celebrated time and how, this statement has remained true.
Read more >>
Mar 15, 2011

Saving Zasha

Are you in the mood for a simple, sweet dog story? Then Saving Zasha by Randi Barrow is just for you. It takes place in the Soviet Union right after World War II and is based on the real situation of canines in Russia at this time. Two brothers are determined to save a beautiful German Shepherd from certain death, since anything 'German' should be destroyed. Service in the military, starvation, abandonment, illness, and injury had all but eliminated the entire dog population in the Soviet Union. Finally realizing the value of dogs the Soviet government decided to create a new breed of dog — a "superdog" — to be used for work and military purposes. What few dogs remained were being kidnapped and sold for large sums of money.
Read more >>
Mar 14, 2011

Kids Read Comics Extravaganza!

Attention Comic Lovers! Mark your calendars for Saturday, March 12th. From 10:00AM to 8:00PM at the Ann Arbor Art Center an awesome free event is being presented. Interact with real cartoonists, enjoy some great hands-on workshops and create your very own comics.
Learn more about this spectacular event by visiting the event website.
Mar 07, 2011

The Magic of Music!

Note: We are currently experiencing problems with our email confirmations. You can confirm your registration by checking My Account.

Gather with others to learn more about musical instruments and the joys of making music.
When: March 21, 7:00-8:00PM
Where: Community Room
Who: Families with children ages 4-9
Registration begins March 7
Sponsored by the Target Store Early Childhood Reading Grant and the Friends of the Canton Public Library
Mar 06, 2011

Mysteries of the Magnificent Variety

Are you looking for a great mystery with some meat to it? Lewis Buzbee has written such awesome books. In Steinbeck's Ghost, 13-year-old Travis, unhappy about his family's recent move, finds he can still connect with his old life at the Salinas Library re-reading his favorite books. He enjoys Steinbeck — after all, Salinas is Steinbeck's hometown. But suddenly he begins seeing the characters spring to life. As he struggles to solve this mystery, budget cuts threaten his library. In looking for ways to save his haven, Travis uncovers many truths and stumbles into a story Steinbeck might be telling him to write.
Read more >>
Mar 01, 2011

Enter to Win: "What's Your Story?"

Tell us about your favorite book, story or character! One lucky winner drawn at random will receive a free personal audiobook to keep and your local library will recieve $500.00 worth of Children's or Teen audiobooks. Enter to win at: http://www.tapededitions.com/.
Hurry! Entry deadline is midnight March 15, 2011.
Feb 28, 2011