Well-known for his wildlife and survival writing, Gary Paulsen was a titan in middle grade literature, but also wrote for teens and adults. Read more about his legacy and how he affected his readers, or celebrate his life and work with one of the following titles.

Hatchet by Gary Paulsen
Also available in: e-book | audiobook | e-audiobook | large print
Also available in: e-book | e-audiobook

Family Storytime

Masked family attending storytime

 

We are very glad to continue offering Family Storytime to our patrons, but due to changing circumstances, please read the following information thoroughly so you can choose the best option for your family.

Family Storytime provides an opportunity for caregivers to actively engage with their children under age 5.

Together with a Youth Librarian, build early literacy skills in a welcoming environment through meaningful stories, songs, and play. Encourage a love of language and reading while practicing listening and cooperative tasks. We look forward to sharing this experience with you.

With consideration for the ongoing pandemic, and in response to patron feedback, please take special note of the following:

  • Registration is required for all storytimes.
  • One child from each family should register: put the total number of people in your family in the note field. 
  • Each registration is for the entire 6-week session. Space is limited, so please only register for one 6-week session.
  • To minimize disruptions, patrons who arrive more than five minutes late will not be able to enter the program.
  • In the event of a storytime cancellation due to weather or unforeseen circumstances, all registered participants will be emailed. If possible, a Zoom link may be included for a live virtual storytime. 

Please choose your session carefully when you register:

  • Monday morning and Tuesday evening storytimes will be indoors and masks will be REQUIRED for all patrons over the age of 2 (see sessions below). Presenting Librarians will be masked.
  • Wednesday and Thursday morning storytimes will be indoors and masks are RECOMMENDED for all patrons over the age of 2 (see sessions below). Fully vaccinated presenting librarians may choose not to wear a mask.
  • Thursday evening and Saturday morning storytimes will be outdoors and masks are not required (see sessions below).
  • All masking requirements are subject to change without notice.

If you have further questions about storytime, registration, or other library programming, please call the library at 734-397-0999.

Upcoming sessions

There are no upcoming sessions available.

Grab a story about dancing and let that inspire you to try your own moves.

I will dance by Bo Flood
Dancing Common Crane Photo by Santiago Lacarta on Unsplash

 

Enjoy a series of playlists that will make you want to grab a dance partner and get on your feet. Dancing is a great way for all ages to have fun together and build gross motor skills. Try one of our themed playlists to get yourself in the mood to get moving! Playing Spotify playlists does require a free Spotify account.

 

NEW: rock out on your way to the library, or take a movement break between chapters with this Reading Groove playlist. (Spotify)

 

Other fun playlists to try:

 

Poetry gets a good amount of attention in April during National Poetry Month, but poetry can (and should!) be experienced year-round. For a great resource to sample and celebrate a wide range of poets, take a look at Out of Wonder, the 2018 Coretta Scott King Illustrator Award Winner. It's a great jumping off point, and to further investigate the poets featured in Out of Wonder, check out the rest of this list.

Also available in: e-audiobook | video | e-video

Presents a collection of twenty poems written in tribute to well-known poets from around the world. Browse the list below to find additional resources on each of the twenty poets featured -- there are both poetry collections and a few short biographies.

My First Book of Haiku Poems introduces children to inspirational works of poetry and art that speak of our connection to the natural world. Includes poems from Matsuo Basho.

Art and science seem so different, but they actual meet, overlap, and inform each other in many different areas. Try one of these book suggestions to see how creativity and scientific methods go hand in hand.

The Secret Language of Color imparts a beautiful and thorough investigation into the nature of color, such as how and why we see color, rainbows, animals with color vision far superior and inferior to our own, how our language influences the colors we see, and much more.

Photography and science have long been intertwined, helping to shape the way we look at the world. Scientists use photography as a way to gather information, explore, and learn, but just as important, photography is also used to promote scientific advances and has long served as an interface between the sciences and the public.

 

Complete this 62 Days activity by learning something you didn’t know about the Canton Public Library or by asking us questions. 

 

Exercise Your Curiosity about the Library

  • Use the “Ask a Librarian” option on our Contact Us form to ask a reference question remotely.
  • Use Social Media to ask us a question, tell us how we are doing, or learn more. Find and follow us on FacebookTwitter, and Instagram.

  • Explore a limited staff directory and meet a few of the people who keep CPL up and running.

Thorndyke the Bear and Little Buddy

 

Meet Thorndyke and LB

Thorndyke T. Bear is our resident library bear. Thorndyke and his friend LB (Little Buddy) keep an eye over the Children's Library and have adventures. You can follow their exploits at Thorndyke Thoughts.

          Thorndyke the Bear  
          1200 S. Canton Center Road
          Canton, MI  48188
 

Explore Hidden Gems of the Library

  • Have you noticed the art located in and around the library? Discover our sculptures, quilts, paper mache works, bronze statues, vintage posters and more in a video, see most of the art with a 'walk' through via Google, or stop by the Information Desk to get a map and see the art in person.
  • Get a quick look at our sorting system when it was first set up. The sorter room is our hub for all returning materials and is visible through the glass doors on the way to the Children's section. 

 

Learn about the Library's History

Take a Deeper Dive into Libraries

Explore these resources to learn even more about libraries beyond the Canton Public Library. We are just a small part of a larger tradition of community service.

Libraries and Books: A Celebration for Children

Teen Fiction About Books 

Celebrate Libraries and Books: Reading for Adults

Explosions can be both cool and terrifying. If you're not interested in the hazards of explosive science experiments, try one of these titles where you can experience different kinds of explosions and high-pressure situations from a distance. Titles intended for older audiences are at the bottom of the list.

Alfred Nobel invented dynamite, and became very wealthy from his invention. Saddened by its use for harmful destruction, Nobel left his fortune to create yearly prizes for those who have rendered the greatest services to mankind: The Nobel Prizes.

With poetry that is equal parts accurate and entertaining -- and illustrations that are positively out of this world -- this book will enthrall amateur stargazers and budding astrophysicists as it reveals many of the wonders our universe holds. Don't let your head explode with the awesomeness within.

Throughout history, humans have fought against invisible bacteria, viruses, and fungi that make us sick. There are many people who have made incredible discoveries that helped us learn about the diseases that plague us and how to vanquish them; learn about some of these people, and others involved in fighting off these public health threats.

Titles are listed with those intended for older audiences toward the bottom.

The child of immigrants who never learned to speak English, Jonas was struck by the devastation he saw when the soldiers returned from battle after WWII. Determined to help, he worked to become a doctor and eventually joined the team that created the influenza vaccine. 

This narrative follows Anthony from his Brooklyn beginnings through medical school and his challenging role working with seven US presidents to tackle some of the biggest public health challenges of the past fifty years, including the COVID-19 pandemic.

 

Welcome to 62 Days of Summer STEAM!  STEAM stands for Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, and Math. Scroll down to find different STEAM topics to explore this summer. We've got something for all ages and interests.

Don't forgot to check out our STEAM titles, we've got books on every topic, and plenty for grownup readers, too.

STEAM Booms and Builds

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