Do you watch your grandchildren on a regular basis? Looking for something fun and different to do with them? Want to meet other grandparents who babysit too? The CPL Grandparents Group provides fun activities for you to share your grandchildren. Register online today.
Program Date: Monday, February 22 10:00-10:45AM

Boys have trouble reading. It's true. Girls totally blow us away at this, I'm ashamed to say. The Michigan Reading Association cites factors such as the need for boys to be more active and the fact that if they don't see other guys reading then they don't think of it as a 'guys' activity. Check out the pamphlet attached to get some tips for getting guys to pick up a book. I'll give you a hint: 'Forcing' them to read isn't on the list. Fathers reading to their sons is.
[photo by Cayusa]

Do you love poetry? Do you wish you knew more about the poets who wrote the verses that wiggle into your brain never to leave again? Have no fear! The answer is out there. The Academy of American Poets has all the biographical information you could want on poets from all over the world. You can search by poet, poem, first lines, last names, and more. They even have a link for checking out poetry near you. Click here and enjoy!

Hey, batter batter, SWING! Families with children ages 4-9 can come celebrate baseball with stories, crafts and snacks. Register online today.
Program Date: Thursday, February 18 7:00-8:00PM

This program is sponsored by the Target Early Childhood Reading Grant and Friends of the Canton Public Library.

Hey Kids!
Somebody just told me about a super cool holiday to celebrate this weekend. The first Saturday in February is Ice Cream For Breakfast Day. I knew there was a reason I liked February! Apparently, this holiday began in the great state of New York by some creative parents who came up with the BRILLIANT idea of eating ice cream for breakfast to liven up some dreary winter days. So I'm celebrating! Now I just have to pick a flavor. I'm thinking Bear Claw! Yum!
Bear Hugs!
Thorndyke

Each year the Friends of the Rouge conduct a volunteer watershed Frog and Toad Survey. On Wednesday, March 3 from 7:00-9:00PM a training session will be held at The Summit in Canton. Volunteers will be trained to distinguish what type of frog or toad is making the various calls heard in local wetlands. The session is open to all ages (children welcome when accompanied by a participating adult). The session is free, but pre-registration is required. For more information or to register, call the Friends of the Rouge at (313) 792-9621 or email monitoring@therouge.org. To help you get a "jump" on the training, the Canton Library has many books on frogs and toads, such as A field guide to reptiles & amphibians: eastern and central North America.

If you've ever been interested in the history of famous Wonders of the World, check out Elizabeth Mann's series. Covering structures from the Taj Mahal to the Brooklyn Bridge, there's all sorts of cool information and beautiful photos/artwork in these books. Look for them today on the Children's Department New Bookshelf!

Chocolate is so delicious... you can use it to make so many tasty things, like cookies, candy, and cake. But do you ever wonder where chocolate comes from? Read The Story of Chocolate to find out how chocolate begins its journey from cocoa bean to candy bar. Filled with lots of fun facts, this book is also easy enough to read on your own. Be warned - this book along with its yummy pictures might make you hungry! You just might get inspired to whip up a batch of brownies or chocolate chip cookies!

Registration for February's Tween Book Discussion is now open. We're meeting on Saturday, February 13, from 1:00-2:00PM to talk about Gordon Korman's Schooled. This funny book is about the adventures of a boy raised by a hippie grandmother, trying to survive when he has to go to a "normal" public school. Sign up today - we look forward to hearing what you think!

There's a new video website in town and it's just for kids! Tired of finding strange and innappropriate videos on Youtube? Then try out www.kideos.com It has different categories to choose from, including book characters, Muppets, Cute Animals, and more. You can also choose videos based on your age, from 0-12 years old. Kids can upload their own videos too. The site claims to be closely monitored so there shouldn't be any nasty surprises. Take a look and tell us what you think!

Attention 5th-12th graders, celebrate Mardi Gras with a tasty cupcake treat! Register online today.
Program Date: Tuesday, February 16 7:00-7:30PM

The Canton Public Library is looking for 20 families to become leaders in a local environmental stewardship effort by participating in Action for Earth, a partnership project between the library, the Ann Arbor Hands-On Museum and Project S.N.A.P. (Share, Nurture, Act Preserve).

The families selected will participate in two workshops held at the Canton Public Library and led by the Ann Arbor Hands-On Museum, one Project S.N.A.P. session creating art with a message for a community mural, and one community-wide environmental event. Families should be Canton residents, have children in K-8 classes and be willing to commit their time and energy to the Action for Earth project.

For details or to apply for the program, call the Canton Public Library at 734-397-0999 or read more on the CPL blog.

To see entire press release, download the attachment.

Benjamin Banneker was born on November 9, 1731 in Maryland. His father and grandfather were former slaves. Despite being a farmer of modest means, he lived a life of unusual achievement. He was unwilling to let his race or age hinder in any way his thirst for intellectual development and has become known as an American Scientific Pioneer. To learn more about this inspirational African American read this Signature Lives book about him. Other biographies on him for youth are also available at the library. Check some out!

Get together with other second graders and talk about a great book! Register online, and then check out the book at the Children’s Desk.
Program Date: Monday, February 15 5:00-5:45PM
Book Title: Lost Treasure of the Emerald Eye by Geronimo Stilton

If you've ever been interested in the meaning behind a particular country or state's flag, the World Book Encyclopedia of Flags is for you. Covering everywhere from Afghanistan to Zimbabwe, this series provides brief country and state histories, along with detailed information about flags. It's pretty cool to figure out that a colorful stripe or star on a country's flag represents more than just a nifty decoration! Happy Reading!

Get together with other third graders and talk about a great book! Register online, and then check out the book at the Children’s Desk.
Program Date: Saturday, February 6 2:00-2:45PM
Book Title: Amber Brown is NOT a Crayon By: Paula Danzinger

vs.
Hey sports fans! Let's take a hockey break for a moment and revel in the world of football for a moment. Super Bowl XLIV is coming fast and furious to the South Florida area. If you get the chance to go, pack a swimsuit and some sunscreen as the weather there will be beachy keen. Get your tickets and root for either the Colts or the Saints. Sorry Lions, maybe next year! I am rooting for the Saints as this is their first Super Bowl appearance ever and also because they are a symbol of hope for the New Orleans area. Here's hoping they bring home the trophy.

In these cold grey days it can be very difficult to fit physical activities into your day. Don't forget, it's always a good time to put on some music and transform your living room into a hoppin' dance floor! Here are some great family friendly tunes to help you get off your duff and shake things up.

They Might Be Giants No! - the title track has a great rock guitar riff that will get you bopping around.
Jim Gill Makes it Noisy In Boise - parents can definitely stand to listen to the swing sensation "The night we made it noisy in Boise, Idaho" and "Let's Dance Now!" I don't think it's possible to sit still and listen to those.

Although Mozart's life was tragically short, his music will live on forever, so he is really immortal. In fact, aliens may be hearing his beautiful musical creations right now since his music was included in that time capsule shot off into space years ago. It is just a shame that he didn't get the royalties on all the products based on his genius in recent years because he was almost always short of money. Learn more about this amazing composer by picking up some of the biographies on him in the Children's Department.

Are you looking for a great biography on a decomposing composer? (I've heard there is a biography assignment now and then that requires the composer to be deader than a doornail!) Well, if that happens to be YOUR assignment the Children's Department now offers you a fine selection of the world's most awesome defunct musical masters of composition. Check out the new series, Masters of Music, in the biography collection.