Make a Mini-Book at Traverwood on November 6

Tue, 11/06/2012 - 11:04am by Caser

Tuesday, November 6 | 4 - 5pm | Traverwood | Grades K - 5

Create your very own mini-book(s) and illustrate with markers, stickers, stamps, and more! Learn some helpful tips for writing fiction and non-fiction mini-books and share story ideas with others.

Can't make the event? Want to brush up your writing skills before the event? Check out these books from the AADL with tips for writers!

Chesstastic

Mon, 10/15/2012 - 1:49pm by Bertha

Join us at the Traverwood branch Sunday, the 21st, from 1:00 - 4:00 pm for a game of Chess or two with players of all ages and abilities.

For your reading pleasure, and new to the library's collection, is The queen of Katwe. It's a story of life, chess, and one extraordinary girl's dream of becoming a grandmaster.
Or you might try, Chess for the gifted and busy, which is a short but comprehensive course--from beginner to expert. For a visual experience try, Chess For Anyone.

Chess sets will be available. Grade K - Adult.

Chesstastic is Back!

Sun, 09/16/2012 - 11:05am by Bertha

Chess boards will be available for three hours of drop-in time for Chess enthusiasts this Sunday, September 16,
at the Traverwood branch. All ages and skill levels are welcome, from 1 - 4 pm.

Newly added to the library's collections on the subject of chess are, Fighting chess with Magnus Carlsen,
Chess for the Gifted and Busy, and
The Queen of Katwe

Play the opening like a book, the middle game like a magician, and the endgame like a machine. - Rudolf Spielmann

Locker Makeover

Sat, 09/15/2012 - 9:00am by Bertha

Where did I put that schedule? I know it's here somewhere. If your locker needs a makeover to help you stay organized and find what you need,
then stop by the Traverwood branch on Saturday, the 15th from 2 - 3:30pm to make cool crafts to help you do just that. Branching out from your
locker makeover, here's a few other titles that you might find to be just the thing to jump start the new school year, Organizing From the Inside Out the Foolproof System for Organizing Your Room, Your Time, and Your Life, or Think confident, Be Confident for Teens : A Cognitive Therapy Guide to Overcoming Self-Doubt and Creating Unshakable Self-Esteem. Grades 6-12.

Self-Publishing: Going Indie In The Literary Industry

Sat, 09/08/2012 - 9:17am by jaegerla

Come to the Traverwood Branch today at 3:00 to hear from successful indie writer Chris Profeta (author of Life in Pieces) about his experiences with self-publishing and how effective writing habits can make your own work come to completion. This is a great forum to learn about publishing without a publishing house for those curious about the recent surge of self-published authors.

Chris Profeta teaches writing at Macomb Community College and Davenport University. He has had various works published in the Foliate Oak online literary magazine, one of which was nominated for a Pushcart Prize.

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

Science Magic!

Fri, 08/31/2012 - 10:00am by manz

Friday, August 31 -- 2:00-3:00 PM -- Traverwood Branch -- Grades K-5

Learn a few tricks (and the science of how they work) to impress your friends! Come and watch a science magic demonstration involving wind power and learn how to make two optical illusion crafts.

J 507.2 Wi Magic science: 50 jaw-dropping, mind-boggling, earth-shattering, head-scratching activities for kids by Jim Wiese
J 507.8 To Experiments with magic by Salvatore Tocci
J 793.8 Be Magic up your sleeve: amazing illusions, tricks, and science facts you'll never believe by Helaine Becker
J 793.8 Bu It's not magic, it's science! : 50 science tricks that mystify, dazzle & astound! by Hope Buttitta
J 793.8 Ga Smart science tricks by Martin Gardner

Check out the full list of Science Magic tricks/experiment books!

This event is for grades K - 5.

Racing Machines

Tue, 08/28/2012 - 4:12pm by evelyn

Come make your own balloon-powered cars at the Racing Machines program! We’ll build the cars and see how fast they go.

Want to learn about the science behind cars and speed?

Toy and Game Science, by Peter Pentland and Pennie Stoyles
Inside and Out Guide To Speed Machines, by Steve Parker
How Does a High-Speed Train Work?, by Sarah Eason

Or learn about how to build other kinds of cars and machines!
Pinewood Derby Designs and Patterns by Troy Thorne
Pinewood Derby Speed Secrets, by David Meade
Build Your Own Car, Rocket, and Other Things That Go, by Tammy Enz

This program is for grades K-5 and will be held at the Pittsfield Branch at 2pm on Tuesday, August 28.

Chess Strategies & Tips with Atulya Shetty

Thu, 08/02/2012 - 12:57pm by Bertha

Looking for a few tips to improve your chess play? Look no further. Thursday, August 2, from 7 - 8:30pm at the Traverwood branch, Atulya Shetty will be on hand to help you improve your strategies and game plan.

S­hetty is the reigning Michigan Junior Champion for grades K–12, last year he became the youngest-ever champion in the Michigan Open and in April he placed fifth in the USCF National High School Championships.

In addition, Atulya represented the United States in World Youth Chess Championships in the Republic of Georgia (2006), Vietnam (2008), and Greece (2010).

Coming up in August, Atulya will represent Michigan in the 2012 Denker Tournament of High School Champions in Vancouver, Washington.

Hope to see you on Thursday! Grade 4 - Adult. Chess boards will be available at the program.

Glow Lab

Mon, 07/30/2012 - 4:19pm by evelyn

Want to learn how things glow? Come to the Glow Lab on July 30th at 2pm at the Traverwood branch! We’ll learn about what makes objects and animals glow, get some candy that sparks when you crunch on it, and make light magnets and glowing slime to take home.

Want to get a head start? Check out some of these books!

Creatures that Glow, by Kris Hirschmann
Creatures that Glow, by Joanne Barkan
Cold Light: Creatures, Discoveries, and Inventions that Glow, by Anita Sitarski
Glow-in-the-Dark Animals, by Natalie Lunis
Animals that Glow, by Judith Presnall

This event is for kids aged K-5. Glow logo used with permission from http://www.glowinc.com.

Ventriloquist Vikki Gasko returns to Ann Arbor!

Tue, 07/10/2012 - 2:17pm by kidlit

Ventriloquist Vikki Gasko returns to Ann Arbor for two performances on Tuesday, July 10, 2012!

She'll be Downtown at 2:00 p.m and at the Traverwood Branch at 7:00 p.m.
If you saw her last summer, you'll want to come back and see her again. If you didn't see her, now is your chance. She is an amazing performer!!

To learn how to become a ventriloquist yourself, click here.