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Thorndyke Thoughts

Hey Kids! 
I'm sooo excited that tomorrow is Christmas Eve!  I bet you all are too!  Did you know that Santa Claus visits the library?  Yup!  He does! It's because I'm such a nice bear. As you can tell from the picture--he's been coming for a long time.  It's a picture of me waiting for Santa way back before the Children's Library was expanded!  The hard part is the waiting, and it will be extra hard tomorrow because the library will be closed--so I won't have all of you to keep me busy until he gets here! 
   When Santa comes to the library, he lands on the roof of the library and slides down into our fireplace, just like he does at your house!  I made sure Miss Kristen bought extra cookies so that we'd have some for Santa. Because I'm a bear, I don't have to be asleep when Santa comes, so we chat a little bit, and I make him some Coffee to help him warm up and wake up!  If you were flying all day delivering presents--you'd need coffee too!  And sometimes I let him check out a book or two.  Since he's Santa he doesn't have to pay overdue fines if he doesn't return them until next Christmas.
    I can't wait to see what Santa brings this year.  I wrote a letter asking for a friend, because I get lonely at the library by myself.  Plus, there aren't enough bears here in Canton.  What did you ask Santa to bring you?  I'd love to know--reply to my blog!   Merry Christmas!
Bear Hugs!
Thorndyke
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Dec 23, 2009

Questions about Storytime Registration?

The library's Connections has begun arriving at homes and our phones have begun ringing with lots of questions! Registration is still required for Storytime and begins on Monday, December 28th for all patrons. Registration is also required for the Book Discussions for kids, and begins two weeks before the date of the book discussion. We apologize for the confusion.
Dec 18, 2009

Tracking Santa

Have you ever called NORAD (North American Aerospace Defense Command) to find out where Santa is on Christmas Eve?  The tradition started way back in 1955, when an error in a Sears Roebuck &Co. advertisement encouraging children to call Santa resulted in children calling CONAD (NORAD's predecessor) instead.  The Director of Operations at the time, Colonel Harry Shoup, had his staff give the children who called an update as to Santa's whereabouts.

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Dec 14, 2009

Bedtime Stories with Molly Glad

We still have registration spots available for this special storytime on Wednesday December 16th at 7:00PM. Children ages 2 to 5 can wear their pajamas and join us as author Molly Glad reads her favorite stories, including her own book, The Night the King Couldn't Sleep!
Dec 12, 2009

Christmas Time is Here...

Did you, like me, miss A Charlie Brown Christmas last night? :(  Never fear.  ABC will be re-broadcasting it next Tuesday at 8pm.  :)   While you're waiting, CPL just got in a bumper crop of new Holiday movies.   Some of my newer favorites are A Muppet Christmas: Letters to Santa and Curious George: A Very Monkey Christmas.   And don'

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Dec 09, 2009

Black and White all over!

It's December!  Which means that the winter penguin display is up in the Children's Library.  This year they're hanging out admidst the snow castle.  Come play a little Library I Spy while you are here.  Can you find the kissing penguins?  How about the Penguin King?  What about the penguin sliding on his backside?  How many penguins are wearing hats?  Then find the ice-skating penguins, and the stuffed animal penguins somewhere else in the library.  Still can't get enough of fun black and white buddies?  There are lots of films starring penguins here in the Children's Library!  And we're not just talking Happy Feet.  T
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Dec 03, 2009

Thorndyke Thoughts

Hey Kids!
It's the week of Thanksgiving! I know most of you are headed out to see family and friends. I have plans for Thanksgiving too! Me and my animal library friends — the giraffes, the Monkeys, the armadillo, and all the others — are going to have a great big Thanksgiving here at the library. We're going to raid the staff fridge, and then we'll play some video games and watch a movie on the big screen in the Community room. Of course, this is a secret from all the librarians, so don't tell anyone! I told you because I like you!
That reminds me. At Thanksgiving you're supposed to think about what you are thankful for. I'm thankful for all of you! You always make my day when you come into the library and say "Hi!" And I'm thankful for the library for giving me this great job and feeding me with cookies. What are you thankful for? Let me know — respond to the blog!
Have a wonderful Thanksgiving whatever your plans are!
Bear Hugs!
Thorndyke.
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Nov 24, 2009

We're on Parade!

One of my favorite Thanksgiving traditions is the Detroit Thanksgiving Day Parade. Whether I make the trek downtown to see it live or watch it on TV while dinner cooks, it the perfect beginning to Thanksgiving Day. My family's perennial favorites? The Captain Detroit Balloon (who looks surprisingly like my Dad) and the Fred Hill Briefcase Drill Team. This year celebrates our parade's 83rd year. Why not get in the spirit by watching a parade movie? Or by marching about to the "Uninvited Loud Precision Band"? Check out The Parade Company's wonderful website that has a downloadable coloring book for kids.
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Nov 18, 2009

Thorndyke Thoughts

Hey Kids!
I am a proud Bear today. Why? Because it is National American Teddy Bear day, a day celebrating a population I am proud to represent. When I think of the great bears, like Smokey, and Fozzie and Yogi, who have gone before me, my bear hair just stands straight up. Maybe one day, I'll be listed with them. Be sure to hug YOUR bear today. And give him an extra cookie for me.
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Nov 14, 2009

Here Comes Thanksgiving!

Now that Halloween is over, it's time to start thinking about Thanksgiving. CPL has many children's films that explain the origins of Thanksgiving holiday to little wondering minds. We also have several films that encourage having an attitude of gratitude. Families with older children may want to check out the Academy Award winning film, Molly's Pilgrim. When her teacher gives the assignment to create a doll based on a Thanksgiving character, recently immigrated Molly and her mother create a doll that looks like their Russian Jewish culture, because they are pilgrims too. Happy viewing!
Nov 04, 2009

Thorndyke Thoughts

Hey Kids!
Boy did I have a great morning! I got to help out at the Halloween Fun program. Not only that, I was the Grand Marshall for the Trick or Treat parade portion of the program! What fun! I saw some old friends and made some new ones. I really really loved all the kids in their cool and cute costumes! You should really should have seen all the fun we had. But guess what? You still can! Just check out the Canton Public Library's Flickr account! 'Cause let's face it, no one can resist seeing pictures of cute kids in costumes. Which reminds me, are you coming to the library on Halloween? I wanna see your costumes! So make sure the library's on your stop this Halloween — early because we close at six. You might just see some unusual library staff that day--and Friday too!!
Bear Hugs!
Thorndyke
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Oct 28, 2009

You're invited to a party...

With Elephant and Piggie! Families with children ages 4 to 9 can join Elephant and Piggie as they prepare for Piggie's very first party. Will there be snacks? Of course there will! And lots of other fun too!

Register online today!

This program is funded by the Target Store Early Childhood Reading Grant and the Friends of the Canton Public Library.
Oct 24, 2009

Knuffle Bunny on Film

You've read and love the book, but you can't get enough Knuffle Bunny? Check out this video, narrated by Mo Willems and his daughter Trixie! The animation of this short film is so true to the book, it's almost like the pictures came alive. Originally produced by Weston Woods, Knuffle Bunny was awarded the Carnegie Medal in 2007. The Carnegie Medal is like the Newbery or Caldecott Awards, except for children's films. Now combined with several other great stories, it's one of many of the Scholastic Storybook Treasures here at CPL, so once you've watched Knuffle Bunny, try one of the other films in the series.
Oct 21, 2009

Thorndyke Thoughts

Hey Kids!
I just wanted to make you all aware of some very important holidays this week. Tomorrow, Wednesday, October 14th is National Bring Your Teddy Bear to Work day. It's kinda like take your Children to Work Day, except for bears. Make sure your parents know! Probably the best way to make sure they celebrate it would be to sneak your teddy bear into their work bag before they leave. Then make sure you ask what your teddy did at work when they get home.
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Oct 13, 2009

It was a dark and stormy night...

Perfect for gathering the everyone on the couch for Family Movie Night! But if you're going to have Family Movie Night, you absolutely must have popcorn! October is National Popcorn Popping Month. Here's an interesting thought: Since most popcorn is made in the microwave these days, most kids have never seen popcorn pop before. Be adventurous and make it on your stove (Make sure you put on the lid!) or show them this short YouTube clip of how a kernel pops in slow motion.
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Oct 08, 2009