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Audiobook for Kids: Whispering to Witches

by skcramer

Whispering to Witches by Anna Dale is part fantasy, part mystery, and plenty of fun.

As the story begins, Joe is not happy about being sent to Canterbury to spend Christmas with his mother, but on the train ride there, something peculiar happens. Soon Joe finds himself teaming up with a young witch named Twiggy to investigate the mysterious incident, which seems to have something to do with a missing page from a famous magical book. Can they find the missing page before it falls into the wrong hands? And is there more to this mystery than meets the eye?

While I found this book has been frequently compared to the Harry Potter series – with its train rides, witches and magical candies – I actually found myself thinking of it more like a book by Diana Wynne Jones. Something about the voice and the tightly-plotted mystery, I suppose. Its narration, though, by John Curless did remind of Jim Dale's performance in the Harry Potter audiobooks. Fans of either who are looking for something to try this holiday season may wish to check it out.

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At the Art Table: Veterans Day Cards!

by manz

Next time you’re at the Downtown branch, stop by the art table in the Youth Department and create a Veterans Day card! We've got the supplies needed to make a SUPER STAR card for a Veteran. All cards collected in time will be delivered to the Ann Arbor VA hospital in time for Veterans Day on November 11.

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Memory In the Mirror: A Workshop For Any Woman Who Has Experienced The Loss Of A Mother

by hillary dorwart

Sunday May 5, 2013: 2:00 pm to 3:30 pm -- Malletts Creek Branch: Program Room AB

At this time of year when everyone is preparing to celebrate Mother's Day and Father's Day, it is important to create a time to honor the memories of parents who have died, whether the death was recent or in the past.

This workshop, presented by Arbor Hospice's Grief Support Services, will focus on ways to include our parents in the legacy we create in our own lives. Participants will share experiences and reflect on how their parent's death has influenced their lives.

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On This Day In History--January 15th: Martin Luther King, Jr. was born in 1929

by nicole

Martin Luther King Jr. was born in Memphis, Tennessee on January 15th, 1929. Born to Reverend Martin Luther King, Sr. and Alberta Williams King, his name was originally Michael King.

He became an activist within the African American Civil Rights Movement very early in his life, leading the famous Montgomery Bus Boycott when he was only 26 years old, in 1955. He served as the very first president of the Southern Christian Leadership Conference (SCLC), an organization which he helped to create. At the 1963 March on Washington, one of the largest political rallies for human rights in United States history, he gave his historic "I Have a Dream" Speech which is still famous today and has helped to establish him as one of the greatest orators in American History.

In 1964 he won the Nobel Peace Prize for combating racial inequality through nonviolence, a method of protest that he was most famous for. Branching out from his role as an African-American civil rights activist, King also spoke out against the Vietnam War, and became focused on helping the nation's impoverished population. He was in the process of planning a movement called the Poor People's Campaign, but before he could carry it out he was assassinated on April 4, 1968. The movement was carried out after his death, with thousands of people turning out to protest. He was posthumously awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom in 1977 and Congressional Gold Medal in 2004

Martin Luther King Day (established in 1986) will be celebrated on Monday, January 21 in 2013. Follow the links for biographies and related books on Martin Luther King, Jr.

Related Posts:
Jan 21: Youth Will Celebrate Martin Luther King, Jr. Day at U-M
Ann Arbor/Ypsilanti Reads: Understanding Race

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Family Picture Book: Night Tree, By Eve Bunting

by annevm

One cannot possibly read one's family too many wonderful picture books over the holidays. When a friend recommended Night Tree, by Eve Bunting, I immediately put a hold on it and today it came to me. Wow! The illustrations by Ted Rand -- traditional watercolors with the addition of chalk and grease pencil -- are magical. Eve Bunting's story is entirely original, evoking family, forest animals, and the decoration of a most extraordinary Christmas tree, all seen through the eyes of a child. Check it out!

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Jan. 21: Youth Will Celebrate Martin Luther King, Jr. Day at U-M

by annevm

Mark your calendar for Monday, Jan. 21, when the MLK 2013 Children and Youth Program at U-M will happen from 8:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. in the U-M Modern Languages Building, 812 E. Washington Street. The program, which is turning 15, will celebrate and commemorate the life and legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.. Over the years the program has drawn a total of more than 8,000 K-12 students from schools around southeast Michigan, offering them entertainment, fun, creativity and dialogue through storytelling, discussions, group projects, skits, rap poetry, and music. To register for this year's event, click here.

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Award-Winning Documentary: Becoming Santa

by hillary dorwart

Tuesday December 18, 2012: 7:00 pm to 8:45 pm -- Downtown Library: Multi-Purpose Room

Join us for the delightful 2011 documentary Becoming Santa. This hilarious 93-minute film tells the true story of one ordinary man's quest to become the perfect Santa Claus. Watch his transformation and training at the Professional Santa School!

Follow stocky, middle-aged Jack Sanderson through his training and preparation and his different Santa gigs. Along the way, we meet many other ordinary people who are keeping alive the Santa spirit as professional Santas.

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Holiday Films For The Little Ones

by manz

This time of year the hold lists grow for certain movies and TV show episodes that many wish to view. The good news is that there are plenty of cheery holiday DVDs on the shelves sure to please the kiddies. Here’s a list of some currently available DVDs, including A Flintstones' Christmas carol, Madeline's Christmas & other wintery tales, Frosty's winter wonderland, Curious George: A very monkey Christmas, Thomas & friends. Merry Christmas Thomas, and Strawberry Shortcake: Berry, merry Christmas. For more titles, here's a larger list of youth and adult holiday DVDs that AADL owns.

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Classical Bells Holiday Concert

by hillary dorwart

Saturday December 15, 2012: 1:00 pm to 2:00 pm -- Downtown Library: Multi-Purpose Room

Classical Bells returns to the Library for their annual concert! The group's primary instrument consists of 68 bronze plus 6 aluminum English handbells, a range of more than six octaves.

This eclectic programming, combined with sensitive musical interpretation, technical skill, informal choreography, and a dash of humor, gives Classical Bells the well-deserved reputation of Michigan's Premier Handbell Ensemble. Check out or place a hold on their albums!

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DIY Decor!

by hillary dorwart

Saturday December 15, 2012: 2:00 pm to 3:30 pm -- Pittsfield Branch: Program Room

Create surprisingly sophisticated looking mod forms with paper and buttons to create hanging miniatures. Decorate your house for the holidays or anytime with your very own homemade touches!

This event is for adults and teens (grade 6 and up).