Did you know that many of the great family movies out there were kids books first? You can earn your "curtains up" badge by reading some of these great titles:

Ella enchanted by Gail Carson Levine

Inkheart by Cornelia Funke; translated from the German by Anthea Bell

Cheaper by the dozen by Frank B. Gilbreth, Jr., Ernestine Gilbreth Carey; (with a new afterword by Ernestine Gilbreth Carey)

Enjoy a good mystery? Like strong female characters? Take a look:

Snatched by Pete Hautman and Mary Logue

Dawn undercover by Anna Dale

Fake ID by Walter Sorrells

And then everything unraveled by Jennifer Sturman

PLEASE NOTE: This program has been relocated to the Community Room at CPL.

Jim Gill is an award winning, Internationally known, fantastically expressive, super fun, author and musician. He is also a superstar among many and is played often at CPL's Family Storytimes. Most importantly, however, Jim is a child development specialist and concentrated his graduate studies on the significant role of play in our lives. Jim understands the importance of those moments when young children “play at reading” with parents, teachers and caregivers that they love. Those moments play a crucial role in literacy development.

Jim Gill is unique in his ability to combine his artistry with advocacy for early literacy development. He shares both at each inspiring and joyous event.

August 11 from 11:00 AM-1:00 PM. To thank you for taking part in the Connect Your Summer reading program, we are throwing a huge bash! Be present for prize announcements, eat a snow cone, make some art and much more, such as:

• Photo booth by inaBooth Photography
• Live Animals from Carousel Acres
• Music by Earth Angels
• Clowns making balloon animals
• Face painting with D&M Art studio
• Henna
• Art Making with the DIA
• Snow Cones!

These evening Family Storytimes take place from 7:00-7:30 PM and are designed for children ages five and under with a caregiver. Storytimes are held in the Community Room and do not require registration. Storytimes will be followed by an informal ABC Activity session from 7:30-8:00 PM where parents, caregivers, children and babies meet together in a relaxed environment. This playtime includes sensory activities, puzzles, and matching games for children ages birth to five, with caregiver.

• Monday, July 2
• Tuesday, July 17
• Thursday, July 26
• Tuesday, July 31
• Monday, August 6

The knight at dawn by Mary Pope Osborne ; illustrated by Sal Murdocca

Knights of the kitchen table by Jon Scieszka ; illustrated by Lane Smith

A wrinkle in time by Madeleine L'Engle

Honus & me by Dan Gutman

OnTuesday, July 17 at 10:00 AM, join acclaimed photographer, Rick Lieder, as he treks around the library grounds in search of creatures to "capture" on film.  The library will provide disposable cameras or you may bring your own.  Take advantage of this opportunity to learn to "capture" images of your own.  This program is geared to patrons aged 9 and up.  Space is limited, so register today. 

Tanglewreck by Jeanette Winterson

Justin Thyme by Panama Oxridge

The new policeman by Kate Thompson

Ruby red by Kerstin Gier ; translated from the German by Anthea Bell

The last enemy by Grace Brophy

Join us on Monday, July 23 for an evening of mystery and suspense. We will 'visit' Italy, Sweden, Ireland, France, Japan and more with Adult Librarian Joyce Simowski as she talks about some of her favorite non-American mystery authors.   Book talk begins at 7:00 PM in the Purple Room.

Join award-winning screenplay writer Brian Webster as he helps you develop your clever ideas into actual screenplays. Learn about important contacts, the legal matters and so much more. Adults and teens are welcome on August 8 at 7:00 PM for this unique, fun opportunity.

All ages are welcome to gather and hear a Plymouth Whalers hockey team member read some stories.  Skate on in to the Purple Room on July 18 and August 1 from 3:00-3:30 PM. 

Calling All Babies! If you are two years old or younger, join us Thursday, June 21, 2012 from 10:00-10:30 AM, as we explore Ducks and Water. We'll have fun learning about ducks and getting to play a bit, too. Moms, be sure to register your little one beginning on June 14. We look forward to seeing you there!

Join us on Monday, July 16, for an all day, baseball family movie extravaganza starting at 10:00 AM with a film for our youngest patrons and gradually getting more sophisticated, until the 6:30 PM showing of Moneyball.

Teens, It is time to vote for your favorite book of the past year.  The Michigan Library Association give the Thumbs Up! Award annually to the author who writes a book with the most teen appeal.  After you vote, don't forget to claim your LOVE IT badge online.

Fill out one of our LOVE IT hearts with your favorite book, movie, music, or program.  You can pick up a heart at the the Children's Help Desk and the Adult Help Desk.  After you fill out your heart, don't forget to claim your LOVE IT badge online.

Social media sites are great for catching up with people from high school or looking at photos of other peoples children. But did you know that sites like Facebook, Twitter and LinkedIn are also very powerful tools for business, marketing and even job hunting? Our collection is stocked with books to help you harness the power of the Internet and earn the Geek Out Badge all at the same time!

The burning edge by Rick Mofina

Cliff Walk by Bruce DeSilva

A dark anatomy: a mystery by Robin Blake

Death's door by Jim Kelly

Sworn to silence by Linda Castillo.   Meet Linda Castillo author of the award winning Amish thriller series featuring Chief of Police Kate Burkholder.  Ms. Castillo will talk about her series set in an Ohio Amish community on Tuesday, June 26 at 7:00pm at Nicola's Books in Ann Arbor.             

On Wednesday, August 1, 6:30-8:00 PM help build a giant Rube Goldberg machine and film it. Don't know what one is? Take a look here. We'll have tons of wacky supplies. You bring your imagination.  This program is recommended for people aged ten and up.

[Domino Effect by Smabs Sputzer is licensed under CC BY-A 2.0]

Into board games like Settlers, Carcassonne, or Puerto Rico? Drop by Saturday, August 4 between Noon and 5:45 PM for our monthly Board Gaming League of Canton meeting. Play some of the hottest games and meet some new folks!