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jillean's Blog

Help clean up Canton

Canton Public Library just received a grant to work with the Ann Arbor Hands-On Museum and Project S.N.A.P.! The goal of the grant project is to engage youth and families at their local libraries in environmental and arts activities. Participating families will receive hands-on environmental leadership training, the opportunity to build support for environmental stewardship in Canton, a chance to make art for a community mural and the opportunity to participate in a community-wide clean-up project. We are one of only five libraries in Southeast Michigan to be awarded this grant collaboration. Stay tuned for more information on how you and your family can get involved.
Sep 16, 2009

What's inside the food we eat?

Ever wondered what's in those delicious fast-food hamburgers? Just beef right? Not exactly. Check out the documentary film King Corn to watch two friends as they return to the land of their ancestors, small-town Iowa, to uncover the corn industry and its impact on the American diet. The film also discusses the environmental impact of industrial farming. The film may not answer all of your questions but it will surely get a conversation started.
Sep 09, 2009

Fantastic Origami

We've done it this time! We've got 1000 sheets of origami paper just waiting to be folded at our Fantastic Origami program on Tuesday, September 22 from 5-7pm in the Purple Room. Come learn about Sadako Sasaki and celebrate the International Day of Peace on September 21 by making paper cranes. Registration is now open for third and fourth graders.
Sep 08, 2009

Ramadan Moon

Looking for stories to share with your family during this Ramadan season? Check out Ramadan Moon by Na'ima B. Robert for a colorful description of this Islamic holiday from a child's perspective. Try Magid Fasts for Ramadan for a story about an eight-year-old boy who decides to fast even though his family thinks he is too young. Will Magid make it to Eid ul-Fitr?
Sep 02, 2009

Contests for writers and artists

Has a book changed your life? Are you passionate about the environment? You might be interested in two upcoming contests sponsored by the Library of Congress. Letters About Literature is a letter writing contest. To enter, children and teens write a letter to an author of a book that has changed their lives. There are three levels for grades 4-6, 7-8 and 9-12, with a state and national winner at each level. There are cash prizes for the winners and their community or school library at each level, provided by Target. The deadline for this competition is December 12, 2009. River of Words is an environmental poetry and art contest on the theme of WATERSHEDS.
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Aug 29, 2009

Help from Mister Rogers

Wondering what to do with your little one as the rain falls and the sky turns gray? Why not share play time with Mister Rogers? There are games, activities and craft projects in Mister Rogers' Play Time: Encourage Your Child to Create, Explore and Pretend with Dozens of Easy-to-do Activities. If you miss Mister Rogers like I do, guess what? You can still find DVDs of his television shows in our library. There is even one on going back to school. Enjoy!
Aug 26, 2009

Green Reads

Did you notice that a lot of new books feature stories about the environment? Even some of our favorite characters are "going green". Check out these titles to see what I mean:

SpongeBob goes green!: an earth-friendly adventure by Molly Reisner; illustrated by Stephen Reed

OK go by Carin Berger

Cam Jansen and the green school mystery by David A. Adler; illustrated by Joy Allen

Just Grace goes green by written and illustrated by Charise Mericle Harper

Enter the earth by Lee Welles; illustrated by Ann Hameister

Scat by Carl Hiaasen

My life in pink & green by Lisa Greenwald

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Aug 19, 2009

Bedroom Makeover

Does your bedroom need a fresh look for the new school year? Have no fear, we have a interior decorating book just for you. For help with making over your bedroom, check out:

I wanna re-do my room by Clea Hantman; illustrated by Azadeh Houshyar

Bedroom makeover crafts by Kathy Ross; illustrated by Nicole in den Bosch

Room crafts: add some simple style to your space by from the editors of American Girl

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Aug 11, 2009

Young people make our history great!

Have you heard of Kory Johnson? Kory was nine years old in 1988 when she started Children for a Safe Environment, an organization that helps to make sure water is safe for us to drink. Want to learn more about kids who made their mark on American history? Check out We Were There Too by Phillip Hoose. In this great history book you'll find true stories, photos and other primary documents to help you envision what it was like to be a young person and stand up for what you believe.
Aug 04, 2009

Crafts for sports fans

Hey sports fans! It's time for you to stretch your craft muscles. You can make your own sports water bottle, jump rope and team pendant with the help of Nifty Thrifty Sports Crafts by Michele C. Hollow. Or, try your hand at making a space colony, a xylophone or a Stegosaurus-shaped shadow puppet with other books in the Nifty Thrity craft series for kids.
Jul 28, 2009

So you want to be an environmentalist

Are you a passionate young person who wants to help the environment? Why not become an environmentalist? Check out these books on what an environmentalist does for the planet. Also, take a look at this eMagazine called Young Environmentalists for resources, tips and advice on making the planet a healthier place to live.
Jul 22, 2009

Crafting with felt

Do you like the fuzzy look felt gives to purses, hats and scarves? Why not make your own fuzzy creation? Here are some books to help you get started. Remember, when you're knitting, crocheting or sewing your wool into a masterpiece, make it larger than you want the finished product to be. Wool shrinks when its wet!
Jul 18, 2009

The Baby-Sitter's Club Graphix

Have you been waiting for more of The Baby-Sitter's Club graphic novels? Your wait is almost over. We've just ordered more! You can get on the waiting list NOW for: Kristy's Great Idea , The Truth About Stacey , Mary Anne Saves The Day and Claudia and Mean Janine.
Jul 06, 2009

The Lorax

Did you enjoy Dr. Seuss' The Lorax? Want to learn more about what you can do to help the environment? Check out The Lorax Project. Besides great information about how to protect the forests and other endangered species, you can also play games, look at pictures of different habitats, track the Lorax in different parts of the world and meet friends of the Lorax like lemurs, red pandas and golden lion tamarins all on this website.
Jun 29, 2009

Gross me out!

What tastes like pudding and looks like kitty litter? A cake you can bake! Flex your culinary muscles with recipes from these wacky books. You could make a mashed potato mountain or a really weird veggie wrap with help from 38 Ways to Entertain Your Babysitter. Don't have a babysitter? Never fear. You can gross out your neighbors with baked treats from Gross-Out Cakes: the Kitty Litter Cake and Other Classics. Yum yum.
Jun 22, 2009