Houdini fans will delight in the rush of biographies about the fascinating daredevil/ghost chaser/magician. My personal favorite is Escape!: the story of the Great Houdini by Fleischman,Sid, award winning author, who was enchanted with magic as a child and became a friend of Houdini’s widow. She gave him the never before seen photos for this book. Other new biographies of the infamous magician are Houdini: world's greatest mystery man and escape king by Kathleen Krull and Harry Houdini: a magical life by Elizabeth MacLeod

One Piece

Who will be the first to find the Pirate King's lost treasure? Join us as we discuss the adventures of the Straw Hat Priates in Eiichiro Oda's One Piece Manga. We'll make our own pirate flag and come up with our pirate names. As always Pocky and other snacks and drinks will be provided! See you from 7:00-8:30 at the Downtown Library...

In the mood for a cozy, crazy family storytime this holiday season? Join us on Wednesday, December 27 at 10:00 am in the Downtown Youth Story Corner for silly stories for all ages. Sing along in an old favorite from the Appalachian Mountains and a dancing folktale from Panama that has lots of opportunities for audience participation.

5th grade science project ... "it needs to be on seasons"....

We found an article in the Research Databases, Access Science, on the Library web site. It provided substantial information to establish the science report. Follow the link and see ...
earth roatation and orbital rotation.

snowflake

Discover the science of cold at the Ann Arbor Hands-On Museum December 26 through December 31. Make ice cream, try on blubber gloves and watch liquid nitrogen demonstrations (12, 2, and 4 PM), as well as enjoy other games and activities. All activities are free with museum admission.

Also check out these special days:
Dec. 27 Artic Artifacts (1 and 3 PM)
Experience Artic culture while viewing artifacts from the Toledo Zoo

Dec. 28 Cold Blooded Encounters (1-3 PM)
See live reptiles you can touch with Brian Cressman

Dec. 31 IceScapes (1-3 PM)
Free ice cream treats from IceScapes

The sixth grade project question was "What is the geology of the African savanna?" We found it in the Research databases by subject "Science&Technology" in Access Science. We used the terms "geology" and "african savanna" in the search.

Kids with real troubles... The cool thing about these stories is no "magic", just "real". These authors are masters of humor, positivity, and poignant storytelling. The Higher Power Of Lucky, a child who worries that her legal guardian may abandon her and return home to France. Al Capone Does My Shirts, children of guards living on Alcatraz Island. Harry Sue... Her home situation is dire. Internal strength of character, and external network of friends, creates "home and security". In each case, the children discover their own strength and value, BECAUSE of those around them.

Stop in to see the small collection of wonderful Nutcrackers in the youth department glass display at the downtown library. A friendly elf was kind enough to share these colorful characters for the holiday season. There is a bohemian artist, a pirate and other surprises!

Every fall Youth Services runs tours DownTown for 2nd grades called "Second Grade RoundUp". A Folk Tale leads every tour, and the "J 398.2 Collection" (FolkLore and FairyTale Collection) is discovered. Folklore crosses age levels, displays cultural roots, and passes on values. To expand yourself, try FairyTales by the Brothers Grimm to hear some Grimm Brothers tales read aloud. Visit LibrarySparks to explore ways to help kids think critically about folktales. Or simply enjoy worldly favorites from the Library Folklore Collections, like Head, Body, Legs from Liberia, Something From Nothing from Russia, New Patches For Old from Turkey, Elves And The Shoemaker from Europe, or Kumak's House from Alaska.

To get into the holiday spirit stroll downtown every Friday night through December 22 for Festival Friday sponsored by the Main Street Area Association. Many stores are open late and the trees are covered in white lights. Every week there will be different entertainment from 7-9 PM. Be on the lookout this Friday, Dec. 8, for Victorian caroling by the Arbor Consort and the Pioneer High School Loreleis vocal ensemble.