This fun program will be for kids that love poems and kids who don't. We will look at "giggle poetry" for kids online, answer some riddles and vote on our favorite silly poems, while enjoying popcorn. This program is for kids third through fifth grade. Register online beginning March 26.
When: Tuesday, April 24, 7:00-7:45 PM
[Popcorn! by Andrew Rivett is licensed under CC BY 2.0]

The Nancy Drew series will be temporarily unvailble while changes are being made to reflect its new location: J Fiction Keene

Thank you again for your patience and understanding during this process.

TinTin is on the prowl in this new adventure The Black Island by Herge. He is a brave reporter and also solves mysteries. It has action, adventure, and a mystery.  Can you solve the crime before our hero?  Good luck!

Do you know anything about your family history?  For example, many families have  descendants that came to America through Ellis Island in New York. April 17 is "Ellis Island Family History Day." More immigrants were processed on this day in 1907, than any other day in history. The statue of liberty was the first glimpse of America for millions of immigrants. Ellis island has a unique and interesting history as America's immigration station with a lot of family history to offer.

To wrap up our Earth Week celebrations, CPL will present a screening of the original, 1972, animated version of Dr Seuss's The Lorax. Join us on Friday, April 27 at 4:00 PM to watch the story of the greedy, truffula tree-chopping Once-lers and the brave little Lorax who speaks up for the vanishing forest. When the film is over patrons are invited to create their own truffula tree vista to brighten up their home. This program is open to families and kids of all ages.

This post is part of our Earth Day 2012 celebration.

For the past few years, the Canton Public Library has held a donation drive to commemorate Memorial Day by helping service men and women. Once again we will be collecting donations, this year for the VA Hospital of Ann Arbor , but there are many other rewarding ways to observe Memorial Day, including:

• Visiting cemeteries and placing flags or flowers on the graves of our fallen heroes
• Visiting war memorials
• Flying the U.S. Flag at half-staff until noon
• Participating in a National Moment of Remembrance at 3:00 PM to pause and reflect upon the true meaning of the day
• Attending a parade
• Watching a patriotic movie or reading a patriotic book

Check out websites like [White House] Joining Forces, where you can actually send a message of thanks to a military family and get other ideas for showing appreciation. Also, be sure to visit the library's displays on Memorial Day and the history behind some of our military traditions.

Before we celebrate Memorial Day, let's commemorate. Please help CPL as we collect items to be donated to the VA Hospital of Ann Arbor for distribution to homeless veterans. Donations will be appreciatively accepted beginning Thursday, May 10 through Thursday, May 31 at the Reception Desk.
Suggested donations include:

• Rolls of Lifesavers (or other hard candy)
• Rice Krispies bars (or granola bars, etc.)
• Plastic utensils (knives, forks, spoons)
• Napkins
• Ritz snack mix (or other trail mix)
• Easy-open cans of tuna, chicken or other meats

Other general requests include $5-10 gift cards to Wendy's or McDonald's; cans of coffee (regular or decaf); prepaid telephone calling cards; new crossword puzzles and word search books.

Who has time for family dinners anymore? We all do, according to author Miriam Weinstein in The Surprising Power of Family Meals. The benefits of eating a meal together are astounding, considering you don't have to sign-up, register, or pay for them outside of your grocery budget. Family meals are available, modest and valuable to your family. At a meal children can learn manners, family values, and good conversation. It's a great time for families to slow down and re-group.

Testing can be tough! Come to the library on Saturday April 14, from 1:00-2:30 PM and let the experts from Sylvan Learning Center give you some strategies and tips on math and reading to help boost your confidence on your next test. Appropriate for older middle school and high school students.

Iceberg, right ahead!: the tragedy of the Titanic by Stephanie Sammartino McPherson is a wonderful resource for the latest information regarding the Titanic. On April 14, 2012 one century will have passed since this tragic maritime disaster occurred and many books have been published and events are planned to commemorate it. Seventy-three years separate the sinking of the vessel and the dramatic 1985 discovery of the wreck by Robert Ballard. McPherson fills in this time frame with actual stories about the victims, survivors, rescuers, reporters, investigators, and many others showing  the far-reaching effects this tragedy has had on society as a whole.

Meet and learn about some of Michigan's animals that wake up when you go to bed! The Organization for Bat Conservation will present their program: Animal Adaptations: Bats! Owls! Flying Foxes!. Discover the fascinating features and adaptations of a variety of Michigan's native nocturnal creatures. In this program, learn what adaptations are, how they are formed and why animals develop these amazing tools for survival. Live animals will be present! Join us on Sunday, April 22nd from 2:00-3:00 PM to kick off our Earth Week celebrations.

This post is part of our Earth Day 2012 celebration.

The Harry Potter books are now available in eBook format! You can check them out using your library card. Click the links below and then log in with your library card to see what's available or to place a hold.

• Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone
• Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets
• Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban
• Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire
• Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix
• Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince
• Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows

Kids and Tweens in grades K-6, improve your reading skills and make a new friend by reading aloud to a dog. Sign up begins at 6:25 PM and is on a first come, first serve basis. Sessions are 10 minutes long.

Program Date: Tuesday, May 29, 6:25-8:25 PM

The Hardy Boys series will be temporarily unavailable while changes are made to indicate its new location: J Fiction Dixon

Thank you for your patience and understanding during this process.

Summer is around the corner. Babysitting is an excellent way to spend your time and possibly make a few extra bucks in the process. On Saturday, April 14th from 9:30 AM-4:30 PM the staff from Starfish Family Services will teach young men and women from 6th-8th grade the basics of babysitting, including safety in the home and caring for infants. Participants will receive certification in first aid. This is an all day event, so don't forget to bring a sack lunch. Registration begins on March 31st at 9:00 AM.

Is vocabulary your downfall? Taking the ACT/SAT soon? Working on the TOEFL? Struggling with your 3^rd grade homework? For all ages, Word Dynamo has great vocabulary games for standardized tests. Even science vocab (get taught, say, the bones in the body). Play along and learn something new!

Cold cereal by Adam Rex — If you are a cereal lover as I am, you may never be able to eat it again with impunity after reading this book. However, this zany, fast-paced, hilarious fantasy adventure by Rex is totally worth it. Scott Doe has the ability to see magical creatures that no one else can, but doesn't really realize it. Emily and Erno are super smart twins involved in an nefarious experiment, but do not know it. Goodco Cereal Company is capturing magical beings and draining the "glamour" from them to use as an addictive additive to their products, but consumers haven't a clue. A bigfoot butler, a snarky leprechaun, and a rabbit-headed man are some of the lucky few creatures who have managed to escape Goodco's ever-expanding power.

Our art collection has many different topics in it and one that I just know you will enjoy is our array of books by Charles Schultz. The Peanuts characters have been beloved by millions for many, many years. Be sure to check out our selections located in both the Children's and Adult departments. I can almost hear Schroeder playing the famous theme song now. Enjoy!

Tim Heller, avid chess player, hosts informal open play on Sunday, April 29 at 1:00 PM in the Community Room while providing instruction and pointers on improving your game. Beginners welcome. Note: no chess on April 8 due to the Easter holiday.

While the world is watching The Hunger Games, you may be waiting to read a title in the series or wanting to read something similiar. Try these read-alikes, and may the odds be ever in your favor.

The running man by Stephen King writing as Richard Bachman ; with an introduction by the author

Among the hidden by Margaret Peterson Haddix

Daylight runner by Oisin McGann