May We Suggest?

May We Suggest?This blog provides customized book recommendations to our patrons. To get your own, just fill out the May We Suggest form and you can expect results within 10 days. You can also like May We Suggest on facebook.

It's another great day in the Mitten State! There are so many great places to visit and fun things to see and do all over our great state that hopefully you will get to enjoy at least one or two of those items this summer. Hopefully, these books will give you some great ideas!

 

Then, head back to 62 Days of Summer for more ways to participate in the summer program.

Almost 20,000 years ago, Earth's climate began to warm. Because of the changing temperatures, a miles-thick ice sheet started to shift. As the ice sheet moved, it carved deep pits in the land and left water in its wake. This melted ice filled the new cavities. This is the story of America's Great Lakes: Superior, Michigan, Huron, Erie, and Ontario. Enriched with stunning photographs and informative fact boxes and sidebars, this educational text sheds light on the scientific history of some of our nation's most treasured geological features.

So you've taken tons of pictures, whittled the pile down to your absolute favorites, now what? Other than putting photos in frames and hanging them on the walls, there is a wide world of creative ways to display and keep photos for years to come. Enjoy!

The book covers all the basic papercraft techniques, many of which can be achieved using only paper, scissors and glue. There is even a chapter on materials as well as a useful tools section for more advanced papercrafting techniques.

Once you've got the basics covered, you will be amazed at the variety of paper techniques there are to explore. Various paper treatments are covered in the sections on colouring, decorating and texturing. You will learn how to make beautiful cards for family and friends in the cardmaking chapter, and add a special personal touch to gifts by making your own envelopes, giftwrap and gift boxes. The scrapbooking chapter is packed full of ideas on ways to preserve memories of trips and events. Decorative techniques can be found in the papercutting and origami chapters, and there is a final chapter on other papercrafts which includes techniques such as papier maché, decoupage, quilling and advice on the best ways to make your own paper.

Summer is a great time to get out a learn a new hobby. Photography is a fun way to capture the world around you and the people you love. Not sure where to start? We have some excellent resources to point you in the right direction. Happy snapping!

Digital photography by Julie Adair King

The demand for high-quality photographs is higher than ever. Whether you're building your influencer rating online, capturing the moments of a child's life, or are looking for ways to improve your skills, photography know-how is a must-have skill. 

Digital Photography For Dummies helps you do more than pointing, shooting, and hoping for the best or slapping a filter on a camera phone shot. This book introduces you to the camera settings and techniques that separate okay pictures from frame-worthy portraits. It then explains how to apply those skills to capturing your own portraits, landscape shots, and high-action photos. 

Develop a better eye for image composition
Discover how to light photos better, including using natural light
Learn to get quick results in auto settings or take full control in manual mode
Discover the elements of exposure and how they influence the final product
Find instructions on taking a formal or casual portrait
Apply basic editing techniques to finalize your image

Go beyond photo apps and apply the techniques pros use for their images.

Calming and exhilarating. Both words that can be associated with hiking. Hiking is a fabulous hobby that can be done year round, all over the world, or close to home. Trails and paths can be anywhere from straight, narrow and rocky to wet, curvy, or steep. They can be on all sorts of terrain like sand, snow, dirt, hills, mountains or forests. Michigan is a beautiful state that offers all sorts of hiking trails for any season.  Local metroparks also have hiking opportunities as does the Michigan Trails Magazine. Hiking also offers access to activities for all ages, from senior citizens to kids.  No matter what kind of path you decide to take, hiking is great for your mind and body. So lace up your boots and dont forget to pack your water and some snacks! Head back to 62 days of summer for more ways to participate in the summer program.

Follow the trail to these library hiking books:

Nonfiction

Fiction

Kids Fiction

Kids Non-Fiction

tea, journal, glasses and laptop on table

 

So much of what we do every day has moved online because of the pandemic. It is easy to become exhausted by spending so much time looking at screens and being constantly connected. Set aside a few minutes, an hour, or a day to put away the screens and do something analog.

 

Photo by Cassie Boca on Unsplash

Screen-Free Ideas

Practice Kindness

"In a world where you can be anything, be kind." That quote isn't credited by anyone famous. If there's one thing we need in the world right now, is more kindness. Kindness is a quality we learn early in life by treating others with empathy, fairness, compassion and respectfulness without expecting praise in return. At the heart of any act of kindness, is selflessness. When we put another's comfort or well-being ahead of our own, we feel good. By giving or practicing kindness, it lifts our spirit and our mood. The stress hormone in our body decreases, boosting the levels of serotonin and dopamine in our brains giving us the warm feeling of well-being. Where focus grows, energy flows.  When we practice kindness, we create connections with others and that helps build stronger communities. "Be kind whenever possible. It is always possible." Now that quote is by a famous person, the Dalai Lama. Start your day by asking yourself, "How am I going to practice kindness today?" We got some ideas to help you put kindness on repeat.

  • Start with an inspiring book list donated by Citizens for Peace whose mission is to facilitate practices and principles of non-violence in the world. 

Break up your mealtime routine this summer with a picnic!

Head to a park, walk right out into your backyard and lay a blanket out on the grass, or have a picnic on the floor inside your house if the weather is bad. Visit one of Canton's parks, or check the Take a Ride or Go For a Hike squares for more ideas of where to picnic. 

 

Enjoy Yourself

Keep it simple. Avoiding too much fuss will promote relaxation and give you time to enjoy yourself.

  • Let the kids help with preparations
  • Play some no sweat games like "duck, duck, goose" or  "I spy."  Check out the Backyard Fun square for more ideas
  • If you are able to picnic outside, take some time to Observe Nature 

 

Get Creative

Snap a Photo to remember your picnic or capture the beauty around you, or for something more involved, make your own picnic blanket.

Check out this Creativebug class to create a Veggie Stamp Picnic Blanket. While you're there, look at Creativebug's Summer Picnic Ideas

 

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

Do you love bright, rainbow-hued clothes? Have you ever wanted to know how to create those bold patterns yourself? Yes? Oh good! Step right up to the Tie Dye square on your 62 Days 62 Ways map and let's get started.

For a fun in person activity, join us for Tie Dye Fun here at the library!

 

When you finish, head back to the 62 Days of Summer home page for more ways to participate in the summer program!

By The Book

A Biography tells you all about someone's life. In these fantastic new additions to our JBIO collection, be prepared to be taken to other places, times, and lifestyles. Who knows? Maybe it will be your Biography or Memoir that we have on the library's shelves to share with a new generation of kids and adults.

JoJo Siwa : fan favorite by Heather E Schwartz

Fans of JoJo Siwa-or as she calls them, Siwanators-know JoJo's personality is as colorful as her bows. Learn all about how JoJo danced, laughed, and sparkled her way to fame and her own business empire.

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