Don't Stop Celebrating Yet!

Tue, 10/28/2008 - 9:18am by Beth Manuel

The Day after we celebrate Halloween, Join AADL for El Día De Los Muertos or Day of the Dead. We'll watch a folk dance performance and make crafty skulls & skeletons. See you there Saturday from 1-2:30. There's libros y libros on the subject in our collection. Come see! Teens, families and adults are welcome!

Career Jam

Fri, 10/24/2008 - 12:21pm by MarilynG

Are you a middle school or high school student thinking about your career options? Then come to Career Jam on Thursday, October 30 from 4pm to 7pm at the Morris Lawrence Building at Washtenaw Community College. Discover the exciting career options and job opportunities here in Washtenaw County. There will be plenty of hands-on demonstrations to give you a taste of what your future could hold. Door prizes and a limited number of t-shirts will be available for youth who participate. For more information, contact the Teen Center Without Walls or ETCS.

Parent Bits - Kids and Self-Esteem

Mon, 10/20/2008 - 10:57am by ryanikoglu

There's more than one way to help kids grow up healthy and competent. In addition to books on Self-Esteem like Stick Up For Yourself!, there are websites that can be useful. The October 2008 issue of Library Sparks provides suggested websites:
Kid's Health: Self-Esteem offers easy-to-use information by age levels, and a "fun and games" section section for kids 6-12 years old.
Kids Health For Kids: The Story Of Self-Esteem offers information in both English and Spanish language.

Scary Bits - But not Too Scary !

Wed, 10/15/2008 - 11:11am by ryanikoglu

October is ripe for harvesting spooky tales. For young kids, cautionary tales can work instead of "sca-a-ry" tales, since the endings come out GOOD. Try:
Precious and The Boo Hag by Patricia McKissack
The Gunniwolf by Wilhelmina Harper.
The Little Old Lady Who Was Not Afraid Of Anything by Linda Williams.
... or choose books with holiday icons such as:
I Spy A Pumpkin
Five Little Pumpkins
Los Gatos Black On Halloween

Dealing with Biting Behaviors

Tue, 10/14/2008 - 2:28pm by battlem

Do you have a pint-size biter on your hands? Whether it is out of frustration, exploration, or plain ol' swollen gums, toddlers are expressing something when they bite. Join Early Childhood Consultant Kathy Sims on Saturday, October 18 at 10:00am at the Pittsfield Branch to learn how to effectively deal with biting and other behaviors in young children. Young children are welcome. Toys will be available in the room.

Want a taste of Hungary?

Thu, 10/09/2008 - 6:39pm by StoryLaura

Join us for songs with Laz Slomovits, check out beautiful traditional dresses and books and make felt bookmarks with flower designs. Experience the rich Hungarian culture this Sunday, October 12th at the Downtown Library at 2:00 pm.

ACT/SAT Test Practice this Saturday

Wed, 10/08/2008 - 12:19pm by K.C.

Is the ACT or SAT in your future? Learn how to access Learning Express Library which offers a wide variety of practice tests including the ACT and SAT. Take a practice test, and then find out how you did.

Saturday, October 11 | 10:30 AM – 12:00 PM | Pittsfield Branch - Computer Training Center

Kid Bits - "Family Movies"

Tue, 10/07/2008 - 3:03pm by ryanikoglu

Parents Ask ... "Is there a list of 'Family Movies' that might include my 6 year old too?" Finding a list to match your values is always a trick, but these websites might help.
Kids First: The Coalition for Quality Children's Media where you can find reviews, age levels, and subject listings.
British Film Institute offers a Top 10 and Top 50 list.
For younger children, my all-time favorites are Babe; Pollyanna; E.T.; Mary Poppins; Fly Away Home; and Jungle Book.

Baby Bits - YUM ! YUM !

Tue, 09/30/2008 - 9:54am by ryanikoglu

Kitchens and Food are everyday life. Babies know food. Try these and carry-on about food!
Yum! Yum! a book of "food" Nursery Rhymes.
Check out these Song Discs and Sing along.
"Biscuits In the Oven" with Raffi in Baby Beluga
"Teddy Bears Picnic" with Kevin Roth in Unbearable Bears or
"Pat-A-Cake" with Sharon, Lois and Bram in Mainly Mother Goose

What's Cookin' ?

Sun, 09/28/2008 - 2:44pm by StoryLaura

Yummy stories about apple pie and carrot soup will make you hungry at the Downtown Tuesday preschool storytime this week.