Bill HarleyBack by popular demand, the stellar Bill Harley returns for a library sponsored event at The Ark this Sunday, March 11 at 2:00 pm. We are hosting this grammy award winning musician and storyteller for a free family show at The Ark for ages five and up. Now is your chance to catch one of the best, and if you have enjoyed Bill in the past, we know we will see you there again! When Bill came through town last year I invited all my friends to the grown-up evening performance and they loved it so much they are all returning this Sunday at 7:30 pm.

According to The Guardian Newspaper, a collection of fairytales gathered by historian Franz Xaver von Schönwerth and locked away in an archive in Regensburg for over 150 years, has come to light. These tales are part of a collection of myths, legends and fairytales, gathered by a local historian in the Bavarian region of Oberpfalz at about the same time as the Grimm brothers were collecting the fairytales that have since charmed adults and children around the world.

Last year, the Oberpfalz cultural curator Erika Eichenseer published a selection of fairytales from Von Schönwerth's collection, which is currently only available in German. But a Munich-based English translator, Dan Szabo, has already begun work on some of the stories ranging from a miserly farmer and a money-mill to a turnip princess. So perhaps one day we'll be able to read them in English.

Until then, you can discover many folk and fairytales not only from Germany, but around the world. The Downtown Library has a wonderful assortment in the Youth Department, and each of the Branches has a collection as well. The tales are conveniently arranged by geographical areas. There are also special sections for familiar tales that have many versions, like Cinderella, The Gingerbread Boy, and Rumpelstiltskin. All of the Hans Christian Andersen stories are together. Come travel the world by reading these timeless tales!

An old proverb says that if March comes in like a lion, it will go out like a lamb. Although this year in Michigan, our "lion" is not very fierce, you can enjoy this book's March lion, who roars through a little boy's house, tracking in mud, sleet, and hail. He wreaks utter havoc, until the day when the soft breeze and new tree buds cause the lion to sneeze. Riding the wave of that sneeze, the lamb comes prancing in, ushering in all things spring. Pen, ink and watercolor illustrations truly bring the story to life.

For some crafts and fun activities related to March weather click here.

Jan Berenstain who, with her husband Stan Berenstain (1923-2005), created the popular children's books about the lovable Berenstain Bears, died Friday, February 24.

The Berenstains published their first book, The Big Honey Hunt, in 1962. For the next half century, their gentle stories highlighting family values have charmed generations of young readers and their parents.

The Berenstains met as teenagers in art school, served in the military (he was a medical illustrator in the Army and she was a draftsman and riveter for the Army Corps of Engineers and the Navy respectively).

More than 260 million copies of their 300+ titles have been translated into 23 languages, including Icelandic and Arabic. When Stan died in 2005, their son Mike joined his mother in creating new titles. Some of the more modern themes covered in their recent titles include childhood obesity, gun violence, and money management.

Mrs. Berenstain, who suffered a massive stroke on Thursday, was 88.

Congratulations to William Joyce and Brandon Oldenburg for winning this year's Oscar for Best Animated Short Film. The 15 minute film is a story of people who devote their lives to books and books who return the favor. The Fantastic Flying Books of Mr. Morris Lessmore is a poignant, humorous allegory about the curative powers of story. Using a variety of techniques (miniatures, computer animation, 2D animation), Joyce and Oldenburg present a hybrid style of animation that harkens back to silent films and M-G-M Technicolor musicals. Here's a gallery of pictures from the making of the film. To see the film itself, you'll need to download it on iTunes, but you can watch a preview here. William Joyce will be releasing the book in July of 2012, and we'll make it available here at the Library, when it is published.

Meet Timothy Michling on his oboe, listen to classical piano with Kathryn Goodson and hear a story with Gari Stein in a musical celebration for young children at the Downtown Library on Friday, February 17 at 9:30 and 10:30 am. Our partnership with the Ann Arbor Symphony Orchestra has brought thousands of children and their families to the library for music appreciation over the past several years.Oboe

Fifty years ago, Madeleine L'Engle introduced the world to A Wrinkle in Time and the wonderful and unforgettable characters Meg and Charles Wallace Murry, and their friend Calvin O'Keefe. This Newbery Award winner is an iconic novel that continues to inspire millions of fans around the world. When the children learn that Mr. Murry has been captured by the Dark Thing, they time travel to Camazotz, where they must face the leader IT in the ultimate battle between good and evil—a journey that threatens their lives and our universe. This special edition has been redesigned and includes an introduction by Katherine Paterson, an afterword by Madeleine L'Engle's granddaughter Charlotte Jones Voiklis that includes photographs and memorabilia, the author's Newbery Medal acceptance speech, and other bonus materials.

Did you know that there is A Wrinkle in Time facebook page where you can submit your own pictures and memories of this wonderful book and what it means to you? And if you tweet, use the hashtag #Wrinkleat50 and tweet your pics/comments to @MacKidsBooks.

Reading is big business in Ann Arbor! During the month of March, we have a chance to contribute our enthusiasm for reading to the national stage by participating in Read Across America. This year, Read Across America will be celebrating The Lorax in anticipation of the movie premiere on March 2nd.

How will you celebrate reading during the month of March? Perhaps you can sign the pledge. Maybe you'd like to sing the Read Across America song. Or, you could get creative and plan a fun activity of your own! No matter what you do, your contribution will help to build a nation of strong and enthusiastic readers while also working to increase literacy in our community and beyond.

What better way to celebrate reading than to visit the library on March 2nd for Preschool Storytime or Baby Playgroup? And don't forget to join us at the library on March 15th in a Toast to the Truffula Trees to celebrate Read Across America and Dr. Seuss!

Malletts Creek Branch this and every Saturday afternoon at 1:00.

Native Spanish speakers will tell stories and lead songs in Spanish. Participants do not need to understand Spanish to enjoy this event!

Join us at the Malletts Creek Branch this and every Saturday afternoon at 1:00. Native Spanish speakers will tell stories and lead songs in Spanish. Participants do not need to understand Spanish to enjoy this event!