62 Days of Summer

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Reading book reviews are a great way to find new titles to read, but have you ever considered writing them yourself? Sharing your critiques and compliments of books are a great way to help others evaluate whether they’re worth reading or not. Glowing reviews also help great books that just don’t happen to have a lot of marketing going into their publications, get more attention.

Anyone can write a book review, but there is an art to writing a good one that really tells others if a book is a good fit for them. Good book reviews are not too long, but at the same time get at what struck you most about the book. Book review readers want to know more than that you enjoyed it and would recommend it. You want to summarize the main themes of the book and pick out what you thought stood out to you the most (and whether it was good or bad). Compare it to other similar books.

Get some more ideas on how to format your book reviews here:

BOOK RIOT's "How to Write a Book Review"

Grammarly's "How to Write a Book Review"

What are some places you can share your book reviews?

The most common book review websites are Amazon.com and Goodreads.com, but who says you have to only leave your book reviews on sites people go to looking for reviews? Why not post them on Facebook or Instagram and see what your friends think? Maybe they’ll have some book review recommendations to give back to you!

 

Head back to 62 Days of Summer for more ways to participate in the summer program!

Listen Live three piece band with maracas and a music symbol in greens and blues

Whether you see a favorite band, attend a play, or yuk it up with a comedian, there are plenty of ways to listen live this summer. 

Summer Concert Series

Dance party

Dancing not only improves your cardiovascular health, it's also good for strength and flexibility. Additionally, it can boost your mood as well as increase cognitive performance. Dancing can also be a social activity that allows you to spend quality time with friends and family. You don't have to sign up for a dance class to experience the benefits of dancing because you can always just throw a home dance party! 

All you need is music and then you can decide your moves. Free form dancing is also a good option, especially if you're dancing with children, but either way, the library can support you in your home dance party plans.

Check out dance albums available to stream on Hoopla:

Latin: https://www.hoopladigital.com/genre/1064271582

Electronic: https://www.hoopladigital.com/genre/322087717

Reggae: https://www.hoopladigital.com/genre/322087729

Children's: https://www.hoopladigital.com/genre/1519301086

General dance: https://www.hoopladigital.com/genre/322084880

Get dance move ideas:

Hoopla Dance videos: https://www.hoopladigital.com/genre/1288697068

Check out one of our instructional dance DVDs. We have ballroom dancing, swing, foxtrot, latin, tango, and more.

Celebrate National Dance Day:

Mark your calendars for July 31st and read more about this day here.

You can also sign up children ages 4-9 for our Dance Your Cares Away Lit Lab: https://www.cantonpl.org/content/lit-lab-productions

 

Head back to 62 Days of Summer for more ways to participate in the summer program!

As we have increased our time at home over the past year, taking full advantage of summer fun in our own CPL backyard is a must! There are so many fun things to do without having to go out and spend a lot of money. Even if you invest in some new games, you can use them all summer and for years to come. Some days just sand, shovels and buckets keep the kids busy, while cooling off with some water action when it gets hot. We also have books at the library to help get some of those backyard ideas coming. Head back to 62 days of summer for more ways to participate in the summer program.

Backyard idea book by Lee Anne White

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.

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.

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.

Have you ever wanted to see the Great Pyramids of Egypt? What about the Amazon River? Or the Great Wall of China? While it is difficult to travel to so many far off places, we have some amazing books you can read that can transport you there in your imagination. Someday you may stand at the foot of the Parthenon in Greece, but for now fill your mind with images, stories, and facts of places far away and in your own backyard.

 

After you have had your fill of travel, head back to 62 Days of Summer for more ways to participate in the summer program!

In 1910, Captain Robert Scott prepared his crew for a trip that no one had ever completed: a journey to the South Pole. He vowed to get there any way he could, even if it meant looking death in the eye. Then, not long before he set out, the telegram arrived: "Proceeding to Antarctic - Roald Amundsen." What was to be an expedition had become a race. One hundred and eight years later, Captain Louis Rudd readied himself for a similarly grueling task: the first solo crossing of treacherous Antarctica. Then came the Instagram message: "On Nov. 1, I depart for the ice - Colin O'Brady." What was to be a journey had become a race. For fans of Michael Tougias' The Finest Hours, this gripping tale of two history-making moments is perfect for budding scientists, survivalists, and thrill seekers.

Exploring other places on our beautiful Earth is an amazing experience. While you are saving your money for your next big adventure with your family, give these great travel stories a shot. You just might find your next vacation destination!

 

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

Off to see the sea by Nikki Grimes

Bath time is full of magic. The faucet flows like a waterfall, the bathroom floor is a distant shore, toy boats sail against the waves. An imagination-fueled adventure on the high seas is just what it takes to get little one clean.

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.

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