Donald Sobol, who created Encyclopedia Brown, one of the most beloved of classic children's characters, died today.

Sobol's writing career began as a copyboy and then reporter for the New York Sun newspaper back in the 50s. In 1963, he published the first Encyclopedia Brown book, Encyclopedia Brown: Boy Detective. In each of the 39 books in the series, Leroy (a.k.a. Encyclopedia) Brown, is a 10-year old genius. The format for each book is that Brown faces ten mysteries. The reader is given a chance to solve the mystery, before consulting with the answers in the back of the book.

This formula has worked for nearly 40 years. In 1997, Sobol updated Brown's wardrobe, dressing him out in a work shirt and jeans in Encyclopedia Brown and the Case of Pablo's Nose. Six years later, Sobol marked Brown's 40th anniversary with the release of Encyclopedia Brown and the Case of the Jumping Frogs.

Sobol also penned a popular syndicated newspaper feature, his Two-Minute Mysteries.

Mr. Sobol's death (he was 87) immediately began trending on Twitter as news spread and fans of all ages mourned his passing with tender tributes about what their books meant to them.

Ventriloquist Vikki Gasko returns to Ann Arbor for two performances on Tuesday, July 10, 2012!
She'll be Downtown at 2:00 p.m and at the Traverwood Branch at 7:00 p.m.
If you saw her last summer, you'll want to come back and see her again. If you didn't see
her, now is your chance. She is an amazing performer!!

To learn how to become a ventriloquist yourself, click here.

Reading Rainbow began its 26-year run on PBS as a way to combat summer mind decay. Now it's taking the same goal to a different medium.

LeVar Burton, Reading Rainbow host, says: "What were kids doing in the 80's? Sitting in front of the television. So we went where they were to steer them back in the direction of where we wanted them to go." While television still accounts for the largest amount of children's screen time, it's not the only screen in town anymore. About half of children under 8 have access to some sort of mobile device.

So Burton and former film and television producer Mark Wolfe have co-founded the company RR Kidz. Their new iPad app incorporates classic Reading Rainbow segments, 16 new video "field trips" starring Burton, and 150 narrated interactive books. Each story comes with games and puzzles. Kids can design their own virtual backpacks, track the minutes they've read, and receive digital stickers as rewards for finishing new titles.

The Library has a large collection of DVDs of the original Reading Rainbow shows. For a trip down memory lane, take one home today!

The Downtown library has a shelf in the Youth Department known as the Parent Shelf. On this shelf you’ll find a variety of parent-child related books on a multitude of topics- including everything from phonics to tantrums to potty training to diet. These books are available for checkout, and can be found in the catalog when searching “parent shelf,” if you’d like to have one sent to a branch of your choice.

This summer the library is full of fun science programs! To go along with that, here are some science-related books you’ll find on the Parent Shelf.

+ Picture-perfect science lessons: Using children's books to guide inquiry

+ Oobleck, slime & dancing spaghetti: Twenty terrific at-home science experiments inspired by favorite children's books

+ Sandbox scientist : real science activities for little kids

See here for more, and let's have a fun, science-filled summer!

2011 LEGO Contest
If it's summer it's LEGO Contest time! One of our largest and most anticipated events is scheduled for Thursday, August 2, at the Kensington Court Hotel, 610 Hilton Blvd., (near Briarwood Mall). Last year we had over 200 entries and we can be sure there will even more this year!. Preschoolers, Kid, Teens and Adults are invited to participate. New this year: PEOPLE'S CHOICE! Attendees of the contest may vote for one project in each age category. People's Choice winners will receive a special LEGO trophy. For all the details read the complete rules and guidelines, and then start building!

Have you heard of Kidical Mass? This national (even International: Budapest, Hungary) biking group promotes bike safety, fun and fosters community among bike riders & families. In Ann Arbor they meet on the 3rd Saturday of the month, Rain or Shine! The first 15 minutes may include bike decorating or a mini-safety lesson. The group always uses a short & safe route to a family-friendly & fun destination afterwards. Check out their blog to see where the route begins this Saturday, June 16th at 10:15 AM!

One of Canada’s most well-known and beloved literary characters will be returning to TV, in a new 13-episode series of Lucy Maud Montgomery’s “Anne of Green Gables”.

First published in 1908, more than 50 million of the Anne books have been sold. There are eight classic “Anne of Green Gables” novels. Montgomery’s granddaughter, Kate Macdonald Butler, says she believes there is keen appetite for a new televised version. Sullivan Entertainment brought “Anne” to television in the 1980s. "But I think it is now time for a new interpretation — that was almost 30 years ago.”

You can borrow DVDs of those 80's shows: Anne of Green Gables; Anne of Green Gables : the Sequel; Anne of Green Gables : the Continuing Story; and Anne of Green Gables : a New Beginning.

The new show is expected to begin production in the summer of 2013 but likely won’t air until the following year. Both Butler and executive producer Joan Lambur think it’s important that the role of Anne Shirley be played by a Canadian and preferably one with real red hair. But Lambur said she doesn’t picture the new Anne of Green Gables will follow in the mode of the original or other popular period series such as Road to Avonlea. Think more along the lines of “Little House on the Prairie” meets “Downton Abbey.” “I picture it a little more truthful and a little less sweet,” she said.

Rick Riordan, who has been called "the god of mythology-minded tween literature," is hard at work finishing the third installment in his five-book Heroes of Olympus series. It will be called The Mark of Athena, and is due out on October 2. You can read the book’s first chapter at the Heroes of Olympus website.

This week, Disney-Hyperion will launch a new Web site, Greeks vs Romans, with the tagline: “Whose camp are you in?” As of Monday morning, the site has an image of a T-shirt, half purple and half orange, with the message "Camp Visits Starting Soon," so check back often, to see what will be revealed.

In the meantime, if you haven't already read or listened to the first 2 books in the series, here's your chance.

Book One: The Lost Hero. We have the book and the BOCD

Book Two: The Son of Neptune. Here's the book, and the BOCD

And if you want to read more about what Rick Riordan is doing these days, click here.

On the grounds of Windsor Great Park is a special little house where generations of British royal children have played. Now, as Britain celebrates the Queen's Diamond Jubilee, Princess Beatrice has overseen a year-long renovation of her Grandmother's childhood cottage.

Looking for ideas for your own dream house playhouse? Try these books:

Playhouses You can Build : Indoor & Backyard Designs

Backyards for Kids : a Sunset Outdoor Design & Build Guide

The Backyard Playground : Recreational Landscapes & Play Structures

Fabulous Play House Plans : Simple and Sophisticated Hideaways for Boys and Girls

Building Outdoor Play Structures

Children's Play Yards

Outdoor Playhouses & Toys

The University of Michigan Comprehensive Cancer Center is pleased to announce its 18th Annual Cancer Survivors' Day Celebration. The event takes place this Sunday, June 3rd from 1:00-3:30 at the Morris Lawrence Building on the campus of Washtenaw Community College. Presenting will be Lori Hope, motivational speaker & cancer survivor. There will also be exhibits & information, light refreshments & door prizes! To register, complete this form or call 734-998-7071.