The National Governors Association Center for Best Practices and Council of Chief State School Officers has, as part of the Common Core State Standards Initiative (CCSSI), presented the K-12 standards's draft which is now available for public comment. The draft standards, developed in collaboration with teachers, school administrators, and experts, seeks to provide a clear and consistent framework to prepare our children for college and the workforce. Public comment is encouraged and can be made until Friday, April 2, 2010.

Children's Book Club in a Bag provides everything your group needs for a great discussion all in one easy kit! This gives you the opportunity to conduct book discussions like those that take place at the library but, with Children's Book Club-in-a-Bag, you can do it wherever and whenever you like.

• Each kit contains ten copies of one title and a list of discussion questions
• Kits may be checked out for eight weeks, but can't be renewed

To celebrate March is Reading Month, many Canton first graders will be visiting the library with their classes for an exciting field trip. They'll see a puppet show, go on a tour and check out a book. For some children, it's their first visit to the library. This year marks our 19th annual First Grade Round Up. We love our first grader visitors!

Winnie the Pooh and You!

Children, ages 3-5 with a caregiver, can join us for a trip to the Hundred Acre Woods where all your favorite Pooh’s Corner friends hang out. Enjoy Pooh stories, crafts, games and snacks. We'll be heading over to the Hundred Acre Woods on Saturday March 20, 2010 from 1:00-1:45PM. Registration begins Saturday, March 6, 2010. See you there!

Hey Kids!
Have you ever wondered what happens at the Adult Reference Desk? So have I! Well, today I decided to find out. I had to wear a disguise, because I heard that some grown-ups are afraid of bears. Do you think I fooled them? I logged into the computer...and waited. Do you know what? Grown-ups ask a lot of the same questions as you do. They are looking for a book that they want to read or a movie that they want to watch. Although, usually they've heard about this book or movie from the TV or the radio, where you guys usually hear about it from a friend or at school. Grown-ups need help doing things on the computer too! The big difference between kid questions and grown-up questions, is that sometimes grown-up questions have to do with things like taxes and doctors and college classes. The librarians that work on the Adult Reference Desk are really smart. They can always help the grown-ups find the answers, just like in the Children's Library! I don't think I was much help though. My paws are too clumsy to type very well, and you have to be able to talk to answer questions. Oh well! It's back to the Children's Library I go. Until the next adventure...
Bear Hugs!
Thorndyke

If he were still alive today, Dr. Seuss, (Theodore Seuss Geisel) would have celebrated his 106th birthday on March 2. The Canton Public Library and Canton Leisure Services threw a big party to celebrate this wonderful author. The party included Seuss-style stories, songs, crafts and snacks. Check out the pictures from our Seussical event or see the event as an action movie trailer.

Three times a year (February 28 to March 6, July 25 to 31, and September 26 to October 2) those who play table top RPGs (aka roleplaying games) are encouraged to read their favorite gaming books in public. Reading in public allows people to ask gamers about their hobby and allows gamers to share their hobby with those who might not be familiar with it. Learn more about Read an RPG Book in Public or learn more about table top RPGs in general.

Congratulations are in order for Canton Charter School student Siddharth Varanasi! A resident of Canton Township, Siddharth, 11, just won the Detroit News Spelling Bee this past weekend and will go on to compete in the Scripps National Spelling Bee this June! If you're interested in learning more about the kinds of words used in these competitions, check out the Scripps/Merriam-Webster study site or one of the library's many dictionaries! Happy spelling!

Do you know how much food you throw away each year? Ever wonder how much that's costing you? A new website, Love Food Hate Waste, has a ton of great information about how we can save money by wasting less. There are tips for making fresh produce last longer, recipes for using up the little bits of various foods you might have left over, and you can even add your own tips and join the community of folks to discuss and ask questions.

Photo by svacher used under Creative Commons license

Get your bikes and hiking boots ready! The I-275 Pathway is receiving a major facelift in 2010. Work on portions of the trail is expected to start in the spring.

MDOT is hosting an open house to explain the planned improvements to the Hines Drive-Michigan Avenue sections from 6:00-8:00PM on Tuesday, March 2nd in the Freedom Room of the Canton Township Administrative Building on Canton Center Rd. south of Cherry Hill.

Check out Michigan Trails and Greenway Alliance for more info.

Felties: How to Make 18 Cute and Fuzzy Friends by Nelly Pailloux

Felt is such a versatile and easy to work with material. It's perfect for small projects like these adorable felt figures. You only need some basic hand-sewing skills and you can whip up a passel of pals from felt and materials you probably have around the house.

The Strand Magazine has announced its nominees for the 2009 Strand Magazine Critics Awards. The awards will be presented in the categories of Best Novel and Best First Novel at an invitation-only cocktail party, hosted by The Strand on July 7, 2010, in New York City.

MASTERPIECE on PBS and BBC Worldwide Sales and Distribution, Americas have announced a major co-production deal that includes Sherlock, a Sherlock Holmes with a 21st. century spin on it and three Aurelio Zen mysteries based on the series written by Michael Didbin (1947-2007).

Wow, to just take a look outside is breathtaking. I love the snow and these past few days we certainly have gotten our fair share. Sometimes I stare at it and wonder, wouldn't snowboarding just be a blast on all this snow! I have never actually snowboarded, so I better check out some of these books on snowboarding! Be sure to check them out too. Happy swooshing!

Karim Motawi from the Motawi Tileworks in Ann Arbor gives a presentation on tile making, after which caregiver and child, 5th grade and older, can craft a tile. Register online today.
Program Date: Sunday, February 28, 1:00-2:00PM

No, you’re not dreaming! This Sunday, February 28, visit the Canton “Mini” Farmers Market anytime between 10:00AM and 2:00PM inside the Cady-Boyer Barn at Preservation Park (500 N. Ridge Rd. just north of Cherry Hill Rd.). Buy local foods and select Michigan-made products, including apples, cider, honey, eggs, cheese, grass-fed meats, jerky, smoked fish and meats, jams, baked goods, pasta and BBQ sauces, salsa — even dog treats! Also, mark your calendar for the other two “Mini” Market dates: Sundays, March 28 and April 25. For more details, visit cantonfun.org.

Hey Kids!
No, I haven't shrunk! Remember my little friend LB? Well he had himself an adventure recently. He snuck into a librarian's suitcase and traveled all the way to the Dominican Republic! Man, he's so lucky to be travel size. I think someone would notice if I tried to do something like that. Any who, LB told me all about the fun things that he did. Sounds like the DR is a pretty fun place! You should check out some of the books we have at the library and read about it!

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, March 8, 2010, 7:00-7:30PM
Book Title: Chalk Box Kid by Clyde Bulla

Get together with other first graders and talk about a great book! Register online, and then check out the book at the Children’s Desk.
Program Date: Saturday, March 6, 2010, 1:00-1:30PM
Book Title: Horrible Harry and the Green Slime by Suzy Kline

Glamour Dogs by Catherine Ledner

Are you a dog person? Or someone who appreciates the art of photography? This book is a stunning gallery of beautiful dogs of all shapes and sizes. My favorite is Petunia the Boston Terrier - how about you?