Just got my hands on Wintergirls by Laurie Halse Anderson . . .

Thu, 03/26/2009 - 3:09pm by K.C.

and can’t wait to read it! Anderson who authored one of my all time favorite books, Speak has written a new book Wintergirls that is receiving heaps of praise. Anderson discusses on YouTube what brought her to write this story about a girl’s battle with anorexia and her painful path toward recovery.

PreK Bits - DOGGIES

Tue, 03/24/2009 - 12:43pm by ryanikoglu

Ms. Rachel's Storytime is sponsored by "D" this week ... for DOGGIES !
Find these dog stories.
Dog Day when the kids get a new teacher in school.
Stanley's Beauty Contest where Stanley shows what "beauty" is.
Not Afraid Of Dogs, "I just don't like them".
Please Don't Tease Tootsie for how to treat dogs and cats.
The Dog From Arf! Arf! tp ZZZ for a complete dog alphabet.
Woof!
Find more in the catalog when you choose subject "dogs fiction" and limit to "youth" and "books".

New & Improved: HelpNow by Brainfuse!

Mon, 03/23/2009 - 1:00am by Beth Manuel

AADL's access to on-line LIVE tutoring just got easier. The first page is oh-so simple to navigate. Visit AADL's newest LIVE homework help by clicking here: Brainfuse. This service is available from 2 pm-11 pm EVERY DAY of the week from home or from 2:00 PM at AADL sites till closing time. Core subject tutoring is offered for grades 3-12 and adult learners, too. There's also a writing lab and a 24/7 Help portal. It's quick, secure and FUN! You can brush up on your subjects before school starts!

PreK Bits - Bears are Out

Wed, 03/18/2009 - 9:37am by ryanikoglu

Miss Rachel has "Bear Stories" this week. Here's a list with more.
Brown Bear In A Brown Chair
Sitting In My Box
Big Smelly Bear
Blueberries For Sal
Brave Bitsy And The Bear
Jamberry

PreK Bits - STORYTIMES are Ba-a-ack !

Mon, 03/16/2009 - 2:24pm by ryanikoglu

Welcome BACK to PRESCHOOL STORYTIMES and BABY PLAYGROUPS @ the LIBRARIES this week. Look up Days and Branches to attend one near you. They are in the JUMP Brochure, and on the Library website.
Join us! "The more the Merrier", we always say.

Kid Bits - Sheer Silliness

Thu, 03/12/2009 - 1:48pm by ryanikoglu

Here's a silly book for folks who enjoy authors like Daniel Pinkwater, Roald Dahl, James Marshall, and Shel Silverstein.

Jim Copp Will You Tell Me Story? The book incudes a CD of hilarious original recordings with sound effects. The CD and book text match precisely. There are three silly stories and Jim Copp's telling is THE BEST! My personal favorite is story #2, "Miss Goggins And The Gorilla". =) Now see if you can produce your own radio story.

Enchanted Spring, Fairies, Cicely Mary Barker & The Matthei Conservatory!

Thu, 03/12/2009 - 1:01pm by erin

We're all ready to get outside, but it's still a little too cold - so take your coat off and visit the Matthei Conservatory for the lovely, fun and springy Enchanted Spring Display celebrating Cicely Mary Barker's Flower Fairies. Find fairies hidden in the conservatory, smell the hyacinth, dapple amongst the daffodils and other gorgeous spring bulbs all over the conservatory, and make a fairy sachet! Or make your own fairy container garden, and start some seeds for your own garden. This special display runs through March 31, for complete information on the display click here. And for complete details about the Matthei Conservatory including hours/location click here. On Wednesdays the Conservatory is open until 8:00 PM and admission is FREE! And don't forget that AADL has many of Cicely Mary Barker's Books Finally, make sure you visit the downtown library fairy door too!

Teen Volunteer Training Opportunity this Sunday

Wed, 03/11/2009 - 12:19pm by K.C.

Looking for a cool opportunity to volunteer? The Youth Community Action Team (YCAT) of the Washtenaw County Chapter of the American Red Cross is open to teens ages 12-18. YCAT volunteers are active in all the Chapter’s departments along with all the unique youth specific projects.

There will be an orientation this Sunday, March 15 (1:00-4:00 p.m.) at the Washtenaw American Red Cross, 4624 Packard Road in Ann Arbor.

You'll need to register to participate. Contact Youth Coordinator Mike Lyons by phone 734-971-5300 or e-mail ycat@wc-redcross.org.

Kid Bits - NEW Easy Chapter Books!

Tue, 03/10/2009 - 3:17pm by ryanikoglu

Is your young Reader stepping out of "Easy Readers" and into "Chapter Books"? Here are some suggestions from the NEW BOOK shelf.

Cinder Rabbit is very easy with double-spaced large print and one paragraph per page. There are cute bunny characters on every page.
Andy Shane Is Not In Love! is a new title the "andy Shane" series with a few paragraphs per page. There are pictures on almost every page.
Annie And Simon is an adorable big brother-little sister pair who share homey family episodes. There are a few paragraphs per page and each scene includes the family dog.
Bad To The Bone is a new title from the “Downgirl And Sit” series. From a dog-point-of-view, this series features single-spaced large print with full page pictures opposite each page of text.
The Haunted Hike is a new title in the “Elliott’s Park” series and may appeal to "Alvin and the Chipmunks" fans. It also features single-spaced large print text. The illustrations are computer-generated cartoon animals.

Kid Bits - Nature's Stories

Wed, 03/04/2009 - 2:35pm by ryanikoglu

Do you enjoy stories and pictures about natural wildlife? Here are picture books with cozy story lines and elegant illustrations.
How To Heal A Broken Wing is a city story of a pigeon with a broken wing that is taken home to heal, and flies again.
The Very Best Bed settles forest animals into their cozy nests as the moon rises higher in the sky.
Listen Listen with illustrations and rhyming text of nature's sights and sounds each season of the year.