Preschool Storytime at Northeast Branch

Wed, 10/25/2006 - 2:20pm by lola

Preschool storytime at the Northeast Branch library will take place twice on Thursday morning for the next six-week storytime session starting November 9 and ending December 14. Gather round the carpet and join us for storytime from 10-10:30 am or from 11-11:30 am.

Downtown Preschool Storytime

Wed, 10/25/2006 - 2:13pm by lola

Preschool storytime at the Downtown library will take place twice on Tuesday morning for the next six-week session starting November 7 and ending December 12. Two storytimes on Tuesday will go on into the Winter session, from January to April. Take a whirl around the fish tank and say hello to Porky the Puffer Fish. Then join us for storytime from 10-10:30 am or from 11-11:30 am.

What a Bunch of Characters!

Tue, 10/24/2006 - 2:39pm by StoryLaura

Trick or Treat Countdown to a splendid Halloween parade for the preschool set! We can't wait to see our costumed little friends at the kick-off at the Downtown Library on Tuesday, October 31 at 10:00 am for fun stories and crafts. Then stroll down to Main Street for trick or treating heaven from 11:00 am to 5:00 pm.

Help Youngsters Talk About Books

Mon, 10/23/2006 - 3:51pm by Eartoground

If you're thinking of launching a book club for kids, take some tips from an Ann Arbor parent who has been there: "It started out being almost 100% parent-driven, but now that the girls are older, they run it a little more. They vote on the books and select something from everyone. It works well because they all have very different tastes. Sometimes the parents select a book, but only if we are not organized enough to have the kids' choices lined up! We are trying to have the kids lead the discussions more, but I'm sure that will be a longer process . . . " For more ideas on book groups for children, check out Reading Raps: A Book Club Guide for Librarians, Kids, and Families by Rita Soltan.

Libros para celebrar el Dia de los Muertos

Fri, 10/20/2006 - 3:33pm by jillean

Dia de los Muertos (meaning "Day of the Dead") celebrations run from October 31 through November 2. Teach your child about this ancient Aztec holiday and celebrate the memory of your loved ones with these books from our youth collection:

Felipa and the Day of the Dead by Birte Müller
Beto and the Bone Dance by Gina Freschet
Clatter Bash!:a Day of the Dead Celebration by Richard Keep.
Calavera Abecedario : a Day of the Dead Alphabet Book by Jeanette Winter
Day of the Dead by Linda Lowery
The Skeleton at the Feast : the Day of the Dead in Mexico by Elizabeth Carmichael and Chloë Sayer.

Hey contest lovers!

Wed, 10/18/2006 - 2:02pm by K.C.

Come up with a creative theme and logo for American Library Association’s 2007 National Legislative Day. The teen whose theme and logo are chosen will win a trip for two to Washington, D.C.

Read the contest rules and enter. The deadline is midnight October 29!

Most Mamas Are Not Madonna

Tue, 10/17/2006 - 4:07pm by Eartoground

Madonna and her husband apparently are adopting a one-year-old boy from the African country of Malawi, which reportedly does not normally allow international adoption. Angelina Jolie and Brad Pitt recently adopted a child internationally. With all this controversy and excitement in the news - celebrities! babies! money! - it should be pointed out that for most parents, international adoption is yes, exciting, but it also requires a lot of research. A good place to start is Complete Book of International Adoption or hop to Hands Across the Water adoption agency in Ann Arbor.

MultiCulture Bits - EveryDay Mixes

Sun, 10/15/2006 - 5:20pm by ryanikoglu

I keep looking for stories with multi-cultural kids shown in everyday stories. There's promise in the following "chapter books" for 1st through 3rd grade readers. Each series has a few titles. Try the "Jackson Friends Books" by Michelle Edwards for varied cultures and kids in 2nd grade such as The Talent Show and Pa Lia's First Day. [Ruby Lu Brave And True] and Ruby Lu Empress Of Everything are by Lenore Look and the 8 year old girl is Chinese-American. "Willimena Rules" features African-American Willimena who is in 3rd grade. Try How To Lose Your Class Pet or 23 Ways To Mess Up Valentine's Day for a sampling. The "Little Bill" series by Bill Cosby, and Ann Cameron's series with Julian and Gloria are also based on African-American kids. Try Julian Dream Doctor and Gloria Rising for samples.

Little and Scary ?

Sun, 10/15/2006 - 4:06pm by ryanikoglu

Are You not sure that you like to be scared? Then put yourself in charge of "The Scaries". Try Go Away Big Green Monster, The Gunniwolf, The Little Old Lady Who Was Not Afraid Of Anything, Humbug Witch, Leonardo The Terrible Monster, and the very classic Where The Wild Things Are.

Teen Dating Violence program, October 18

Fri, 10/13/2006 - 4:16pm by K.C.

According to statistics, it is extremely likely that you or someone you know have experienced violence in a dating relationship. Watch and discuss a video, "It Ain't Love" Wednesday, October 18 at 6:30 p.m.

This documentary shares the experiences of "Faces" an improv theater company made up of young adults, ages 15-24. These young adults combine acting and therapy to create a show focused on abusive relationships. Counselors from SafeHouse will lead the discussion after the film.