Just got home from the movie theater? Want to hear that great theme song again? Here are some soundtracks from the lastest and greatest family movies for you to enjoy:

Brave [sound recording]: original soundtrack by original score composed by Patrick Doyle

Hugo [sound recording]: original score by [music by] Howard Shore

Cars [sound recording]: original soundtrack

Enchanted [sound recording]: an original Walt Disney Records soundtrack by songs by Alan Menken and Stephen Schwartz; score by Alan Menken

Finding Nemo [sound recording] by music by Thomas Newman

John Williams conducts John Williams [sound recording]: the Star wars trilogy by Williams, John, 1932-

Every year, at this time, kids are preparing to go back to school. Here is a list of some great stories to help everyone get ready for that fun first day!

It's my school by Sally Grindley; illustrations by Margaret Chamberlain

Mr. Ouchy's first day by B.G. Hennessy; illustrated by Paul Meisel

Miss Mingo and the first day of school by Jamie Harper

First grade, here I come! by Nancy Carlson

Marco goes to school by Roz Chast

Have a long car trip planned? Looking for some fun music to entertain the whole family? Here is a list of some great car tunes everyone will love.

Mater's car tunes [sound recording]: rock and rust with songs inspired by Disney-Pixar Cars!

Wee sing in the car [sound recording] by Pamela Conn Beall and Susan Hagen Nipp

Car tunes [sound recording] by Sugar Beats

Car songs [sound recording]: songs to sing anywhere by [by Dennis Buck]

Here comes science [sound recording] by They Might Be Giants

City kid! [sound recording] by Joanie Leeds

Enjoy some wonderful picture books that celebrate America and our independence!

Apple pie 4th of July by Janet S. Wong ; pictures by Margaret Chodos-Irvine

Celebration! by Jane Resh Thomas ; illustrated by Raul Colon

Cranberry summer by Wende and Harry Devlin

A Fourth of July on the plains by Jean Van Leeuwen ; pictures by Henri Sorensen

Grandma drove the garbage truck by written by Katie Clark ; illustrated by Amy Huntington

Memorial Day kicked off summer celebrations all over Michigan. As the days get warmer, enjoy some of these picture books filled with great ways to spend those summer days.

Summer days and nights by Wong Herbert Yee

Now it is summer by written by Eileen Spinelli; illustrated by Mary Newell DePalma

Kitten's summer by Eugenie Fernandes

Mama, is it summer yet? by Nikki McClure

It's vacation time by Lerryn Korda

From board books, to pictures books, to chapter books, it's is so hard to choose? Here are some children's books that we love and we hope you will too!

Board Books

Story time for Lamb by Michael Dahl; illustrated by Oriol Vidal Pastor

At the beach by Salina Yoon

Funny feet by Liesbet Slegers

Spot's hide and seek by Eric Hill

Ten black dots by Donald Crews

Time Out New York Kids has named They Might be Giants as the #1 Band for Kids. The list of the Top 25 Bands for kids includes The Laurie Berkner Band, Gustafer Yellowgold, Recess Monkey and more. You'll find many groups from the list in the Children's music section of the library. Check out your favorite bands again, or experience some new music for the first time. Happy listening!

Here come the 123s [sound recording] by They Might Be Giants

Here come the ABCs [sound recording] by They Might Be Giants

Here comes science [sound recording] by They Might Be Giants

No! [sound recording] by They Might Be Giants

Good helpers, everyone needs one sometime. Here are some picture books to read with the kids, to show them how to be great helpers at home, in school, or in your community.

Arthur helps out by Marc Brown

The Berenstain Bears lend a helping hand by Stan & Jan Berenstain

Boswell wide awake by Alexandra Day

Can I help? by Marilyn Janovitz

Franklin helps out by Bourgeois, Paulette

Giddy up, Cowgirl by Jarrett J. Krosoczka

Have you been wondering how you can listen to your favorite song from storytime when storytime is over?  Look no further, here is a list of some classic storytime cd's:

Six little ducks [sound recording] by Al Dana... [et al.]

More singable songs [sound recording] by Raffi with Ken Whiteley

Jim Gill sings The sneezing song and other contagious tunes [sound recording] by Gill, Jim

Rhythms on parade [sound recording] by Hap Palmer

Dragon tunes [sound recording]: [from Dragon Tales] by Sesame Workshop/Columbia TriStar Television

Jim Gill sings Do Re Mi on his toe leg knee [sound recording] by Jim Gill

Moms and Dads can learn a lot from other parents in the ever growing parenting blogs. On one site, Geek Dad, parents blog about their experiences raising kids in the digital age. Technology, family friendly projects and pop culture are topics that are covered. Cool Mom Picks is another site that gives parents tips on clothes, gifts, and books, to name a few.