Camp ShoutOut

Fri, 02/25/2011 - 8:51am by StoryLaura

With all the talk about the King’s Speech, it’s very exciting that the first Michigan camp for school-age youth who stutter is opening this summer. Camp Shout Out will be fun and liberating for kids aged 8-16 and an excellent opportunity for clinical training for Speech Language Pathologists, all taking place in a beautiful location.

Meet Colby, the Service Dog

Thu, 02/24/2011 - 7:28pm by StoryLaura

Join us for doggie tails and tales on Wednesday, March 2nd at 11 am in the Downtown Library Youth Story Corner. Our friend, Mary Roderique, who is a dog expert, teacher, literary advocate and mom extraordinaire, will bring the awesome Colby, the service dog. Colby loves to hear stories and get strokes from all the listeners!

Ruth and the Green Book by Calvin Alexander Ramsey

Mon, 02/21/2011 - 3:29pm by Tahira

Ruth and her family are on their way to Alabama to her grandmother's house. They stop for gas and are told they are not allowed to use the bathrooms because of Jim Crow. They stop at a hotel and told they are not allowed to sleep there because of Jim Crow. Then they learn about a special book called The Green Book. This book lists hotels, restaurants and gas stations that welcome black travelers. by Calvin Alexander Ramsey captivates readers. Floyd Cooper's oil illustrations give the book a distinct feel of time and place.

Library Lover's Collage

Thu, 02/17/2011 - 5:49pm by StoryLaura

I’m going to celebrate The Very Hungry Caterpillar and When You Reach Me by creating some art at the Library Lovers Book Collage on February 23 at 2 pm at the Downtown Library. The only thing these two books have in common is that they are favorites of mine. We’ll have all kinds of stamps, stickers and other fun items to help you honor your favorite read.

Library Lovers Book Collage -- February 23 -- 2 pm -- Downtown Library Multi-Purpose Room

Hands On Learning

Thu, 02/17/2011 - 3:12pm by StoryLaura

Make a splash at the Water Creatures workshop on February 19th at Malletts Creek at 10 am and Pittsfield at 2:00 pm. This is a great opportunity to explore, with the UM Exhibit Museum of Natural History, the way water affects our life and the lives of all types of fascinating organisms! While your at it, check out Hotel Deep for poems about the watery world below.

Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s I Have a Dream Speech in Translation: What It Really Means by Leslie J. Holland

Mon, 02/14/2011 - 4:47pm by Tahira

One of the most famous speeches in American history is explained to children in this fun and informational book. Complete with a glossary, historical facts and photos, this book is an excellent resource for children and adults who want to know more about Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.

Joe Reilly, Environmental Songs for Kids of All Ages

Tue, 02/08/2011 - 2:56pm by StoryLaura

Join Joe on February 19 at 10 am at Pittsfield for a musical program that invites people of all ages to deepen their relationship with their natural environment. Joe has an important message to share but his rhythmic melodies and creative lyrics about ecology are pure entertainment for the Kindergarten and up crowd and they will get the whole family moving!

Let's Make Some Valentines!

Mon, 02/07/2011 - 3:27pm by kidlit

Valentines that are made with love and sticky little hands are always nicer than the store-bought kind. Bring your kids to the Pittsfield Branch on Saturday, February 12 at 1:00 p.m. We'll be making Valentines of all kinds. Think of all those grandparents, aunts, uncles and special neighbors who would like Valentines. Bring your imaginations, we'll provide all the supplies. For kids preschool - Grade 5.

For some Valentine craft ideas, click here. Check out this website for some good ideas for family Valentine activities.

Make a Valentine! | Saturday, February 12 | 1-2pm | PIttsfield Branch

Fun With Bugs!

Tue, 02/01/2011 - 9:37am by fremont

During these cold winter months, that young insect enthusiast in your family may be craving the sight of those creepy, crawly bugs. Never fear! The library has many great ideas to keep that curiosity alive and, well, buzzing!

Lakeshore Learning Material's Giant Bug Collection is a new addition to our line-up of fun and educational toys for children's use during their visit to the Ann Arbor District Library. Enjoy some hands-on fun with these over-sized beetles, grasshoppers, ants, scorpion, and tarantula!

There are many ways to explore the insect world at home with books, movies, music, and websites:

• Bug-tastic books for youth
• Stories to Go: Bugs: With five children's stories by authors including Eric Carle, a Magic School Bus: Creepy Crawly Fun DVD, and activity folder, this Stories to Go Kit is an engaging and convenient way to explore the fascinating world of bugs.
• Reading Rainbow: Bugs: A DVD about bug books, jokes, facts, and more!
• Magic School Bus: Bugs, Bugs, Bugs: A DVD adventure with ants, bees, and butterflies
• Songs About Insects, Bugs & Squiggly Things: Sing-along with these bug jams
• Let's Talk About Insects: A website with an animated film in English and Spanish (Requires Flash Player)
• Firefly Fun: A website with facts and activities about these brilliant bugs
• Edible Insects: A website with real and fake bug-inspired foods
• Insectclopedia: An insect research portal

Time to Pray by Maha Addasi

Fri, 01/28/2011 - 2:45pm by Tahira

Maha Addasi elegantly weaves the story of a little girl visiting her grandmother in a country where the Adhan is heard in the streets. The grandmother takes Yasmin shopping for fabric to make a set of prayer clothes and buys her a prayer rug. She watches her Grandmother pray and wants to pray like her. When Yasmin has to go home, she does not want to leave her grandmother and hearing the call to prayer. A surprise gift left in her suitcase by her grandmother brings both her grandmother and prayer near to her. This is an endearing and well written story with both Arabic and English text. Geometric patterns are woven throughout the book giving it a feel of the Middle Eastern culture.