It's that time of year when 19 million acres of woods slowly explode in a frenzy of color. It's when an entire state is in its annual blaze of glory. It's when autumn arrives in Michigan. And there's no better place to see the dynamic colors of a trillion trees aflame than along our highways, country roads and coastlines. So let's head out to the forests. And let's prepare to be amazed, on the fall color tours of Pure Michigan.

An apple a day keeps the doctor away, so the old saying goes. Apples are very healthy for you and better yet, they're a super delicious snack. October is apple month, and the perfect time for great tasting apples. Did you know there are over 7,500 different types of apple trees? Wow! And don't forget to try apples in different ways like in apple pie, caramel apples or apple muffins. Learn more about apples at the library and at the Michigan Apples site.

Here are some great kids cd's that you can play while you jump into the pile of leaves.

John McCutcheon's four seasons [sound recording]: autumnsongs by McCutcheon, John

Cartime [sound recording]

Sara Jordan presents celebrate seasons [sound recording] by Sara Jordan; composed by Sara Jordan, Mark Shannon

A virtual cornucopia of foods and other items for your Thanksgiving feast will be available to buy at Canton's Fall Harvest Market this Sunday, November 21, from 9:00AM to 2:00PM at the Cady-Boyer Barn, in Preservation Park at 500 N. Ridge Rd. (approx. 1/4 mile north of Cherry Hill Rd.). Nearly two dozen local Michigan farmers and vendors will offer market favorites, including: turkeys, pie pumpkins, farm eggs, apples, spices, cider, natural meats, stuffing, artisan breads, salad greens, winter squash, sausage, pasta, honey, pies and other baked goods, pierogi, flower arrangements, dog treats and much more. Some vendors are taking pre-orders for your convenience.

Looking for great Fall stories to read to your little ones? If so, these books,

Pumpkins : a story for a field by written by Mary Lyn Ray ; illustrated by Barry Root

Apples and pumpkins by Anne Rockwell ; pictures by Lizzy Rockwell

Too many pumpkins by Linda White ; illustrated by Megan Lloyd

could be just what you're looking for. My granddaughter sure loved them.

Not ready to get back to school? Not ready to say goodbye to summer? Still looking for school supplies? Maybe some of these songs will create a back to school mood! Check out these CD's to say goodbye to summer and get inspired to get Back to School.

Bottle of sunshine [sound recording] by Milkshake

Multiplication [sound recording] by Teacher and the Rockbots

Disney's beach party [sound recording]

Back to school [sound recording] by Mr. Al & Stephen Fite

In some places in the U.S., leaves don't change color in the fall. It's kind of hard to imagine that with all the reds, yellows, and oranges that we're seeing here right now, but there are parts of the country that don't get to enjoy that. In Fall Leaf Project, a first-grade class decides to send some of their colorful fall leaves to another first-grade class in a different state where the leaves don't change color. What a nice thing to do - share fall with others who don't always get to experience it! Maybe they could share some of their warm, summerlike weather with us when we get to January, don't you think?

When autumn falls by Kelly Nidey ; illustrated by Susan Swan

Four friends in autumn by story and pictures by Tomie dePaola

I know it's autumn by Eileen Spinelli ; illustrated by Nancy Hayashi

Fall leaves by written by Don L. Curry ; illustrated by Aaron Jasinski