Blog Post
Long Shot: Never Too Small to Dream Big by Chris Paul
by Tahira
NBA Allstar Chris Paul tells the story of how being small didn’t stop him from obtaining his dream. His brother’s friends teased him about being small and tiny. With the support of his family and lots of hard work, Chris proves that being small is only a state of mind. Illustrations by Frank Morrison add a spark of motion to the book.
Blog Post
Take Part in Art -- Mix It Up
by MariaK
Mixed Media Art combines more than one medium -- painting, drawing, collage, stenciling -- to make something unique and new. You can always visit the Art Table downtown to make some cool mixed media art, or you can follow along at home!
Making mixed media art is as easy as can be. Pencils, markers, crayons, interesting magazine pictures, paper scraps and paint -- you can use anything, in any combination! Think about combining different materials to make a picture, or tell a story -- or just have fun with patterns, colors and shapes. For more ideas, check these websites by Kinderart and PBS. An excellent and detailed introduction to mixed media is Donna Hugh's Collage Art For Kids DVD series. This series has four volumes, everything you need to become a mixed-media maestro!
Adults interested in making their own mixed media art can check out Creative Collage by Marie Browning, or maybe stop by the University of Michigan Museum of Art's Mixed Media Workshop Series. To learn more about two excellent mixed media and collage artists read Romare Bearden: Collage of Memories by Jan Greenberg and Ooh! Matisse by Mil Niepold.
Blog Post
Tellebration!
by StoryLaura
The Ann Arbor Storytellers’ Guild is a gathering of remarkable folks who pass on the oral tradition wherever they go. Join a few members as they share lively tales from folklore and personal experience at AADL's annual Tellebration this Sunday. This event is part of a nationwide storytelling tradition. For grown-ups who just love a good story, check out the Saturday evening Tellebration with guest teller Lainie Levin too!
Blog Post
Meet Children's author & illustrator, Mark Crilley!
by erin
For many children meeting the author of a favorite book can be a life-changing experience! Mark Crilley, the author of the recent comic book release, Brody's Ghost Vol. 1, will be doing a special visit at the Ann Arbor District Library on Sunday November, 21 from 2:00-3:30 PM at the Downtown Library.
Mark Crilley was raised in Detroit and attended Kalamazoo College where he met children's book writer/illustrator (and 2001 Caldecott award winner) David Small. David’s example inspired Mark to pursue writing and illustrating professionally. Mark’s first series of books featured, “ Akiko” The first in the series, " Akiko on the Planet Smoo", was published in 2000; the tenth, " Akiko and the Missing Misp", hit stores in 2008. Mark also wrote the Billy Clikk books and the four-volume manga series " Miki Falls.” Miki Falls has been optioned for film development by Paramount Pictures and Brad Pitt's Plan B production company. Volume two of his newest series, Brody’s Ghost, will be released in January of 2011.
Join us for a high-energy, educational, hilarious and interactive afternoon. From telling stories and drawing characters attendees will be inspired by Mark’s creativity, talent and enthusiasm! The Vault of Midnight will be selling Mark’s books and Mark will sign these (and any personal copies that fans bring with) after his talk.
Blog Post
Most Loved in the World: a story of freedom by Tony Cherie Hegamin
by Tahira
A little girl watches her mother toil in the cotton field all day. She comes home with her hands cut and scratched. The little girl wants to rub salve on her mother’s hands to soothe them. But mama has other things to do. She picks up her needle and sews another patch on a quilt. The little girl wonders who the quilt is for; the big house or to be sold by massa. Mama continues to work placing each patch with loving care. Then one night mama takes her out to a secret meeting in the field to send her with slaves who are heading north. The little girl discovers that tat quilt is for her. It is a map to freedom. Tonya Cherie Hegamin tells a touching story of love and sacrifice with poetic flare in Most Loved in the World.
Blog Post
More Halloween Fun!
by sherlonya
If by the time Sunday rolls along you still haven't had your fill of Halloween festivities, you might visit the UM Exhibit Museum of Natural History. On Sunday, October 31, the Exhibit Museum's Family Halloween Party combines tricks and treats with learning. Attendees will venture through the museum to special stations and experience hands-on activities. This year there will even be live animals. This event is free and suitable for all ages, from 12:00 PM to 5:00 PM. Find a map to the museum here. For more information, call 734-764-0480 or email kelsul@umich.edu.
Blog Post
When I Am Old With You by Angela Johnson
by Tahira
A child tells her grandfather all the things they will do together when she grows old. This Coretta Scott King Honor book by Angela Johnson is sure to be treasured by young and old alike. Grandparents will especially appreciate the sentiment and irony of the little girls dream.
Blog Post
Peeny Butter Fudge by Toni Morrison & Slade Morrison
by Tahira
When Mama goes out and leaves the kids with Grandma, things don’t go as she had planned. Pulitzer Prize winning Author, Toni Morrison teams up with her son Slade Morrison in this rhythmic romp with grandma and the kids in Peeny Butter Fudge.
Blog Post
PreK Bits - Mice R Nice
by ryanikoglu
In Preschool Storytime, Ms. Rachel told stories of “The Mouse And The Wind” and “The Journey”, two stories from Mouse Tales by Arnold Lobel.
We sang Uh-Oh! and presented rhymes from I Made a Mistake by Miriam Nerlove. This title is no longer in print, but you can read a STORY SHELF copy in the DownTown Youth Department. You may borrow a copy through MelCat, aka interlibrary loan, an extension of AADL services.
If you would like to meet more famous mice, read these books:
Anatole a French mouse who wishes to earn an honest living as a cheese-taster.
Angelina Ballerina a mouse who wants to be a ballerina.
Doctor DeSoto the mouse dentist who agrees to work on Fox’s bad tooth.
Mitt The Michigan Mouse, the first book in a series by Kathy-Jo Wargin. The stories of Mitt & Minn are easy chapter books that make nice read alouds for families with younger listeners.
Blog Post
Boo!
by StoryLaura
The Downtown Library will be filled with the tiniest and most colorful trick-or-treaters
you have ever seen on Friday, October 29th for the 9:30 am and 10:30 am Halloween storytimes. After stories and songs we’ll give out bags and candy to kickoff the Main Street Treat Parade which begins at 11:00 am. To get in trickster mode, check out two brand new treats, Hallowilloween and AlphaOoops! H is for Halloween.