Kid Bits - the TAJ MAHAL of India

Mon, 07/23/2007 - 3:47pm by ryanikoglu

"Echoing the style of the magnificent manuscripts that chronicle Emperor Shah Jahan's rule" ... the reader is transported to the Mughal era in India and the combined history and legend of one of the world's most famous monuments. Experience this with Taj Mahal for elementary school-age readers/listeners.

Kid Bits - A FLYING bed ?!?

Mon, 07/23/2007 - 3:35pm by ryanikoglu

How can this happen? A FLYING bed??
She said, "A bed I WANT and a bed I shall HAVE, even if it carries me to the ends of the earth." And then ....
If you enjoyed Me, All Alone At The End Of The World by M.T. Anderson, you might enjoy The Flying Bed. It has more words than a picture book, and fabulous enough pictures to win the 2006 Hamilton King Award.

Kid Bits - Who's Your GODDESS ?

Mon, 07/23/2007 - 3:16pm by ryanikoglu

"For thousands of years stories of goddesses have inspired girls all over the world."
Pick up Godesses: A World Of Myth And Magic and FIGURE OUT which Goddess inspires you.

Preschool Bits - First Tales

Mon, 07/23/2007 - 3:07pm by ryanikoglu

Storytime: First Tales For Sharing is a newly illustrated collection of fairy tales .... just perfect for bedtime reading. Seven classic tales with large pictures. Each story is five pages long. Especially good for preschool ages just getting into longer tales with more words ... the Three Bears, Ugly Duckling and the Gingerbread Man.

Kid Bits - Imagine THIS !

Mon, 07/23/2007 - 2:49pm by ryanikoglu

Imagine you're a PIRATE, a PRINCESS, a KNIGHT, or a MERMAID, a WIZARD and more !!
"The Imagine This!" series helps you know what you need to be an Imagineer... Pirate codes... Equipment and accessories... words... food and drink...
Have FUN !

Call Me Marianne by Jen Bryant

Mon, 07/16/2007 - 3:39pm by Tahira

A boy, a bus ride, a woman, and a tri-cornered hat, converge in this fictional account of what it may have been like to meet the famous poet Marianne Moore and to discover the poet within.

This Is My Faith: Islam by Holly Wallace

Wed, 07/11/2007 - 4:00pm by Tahira

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This is My Faith: Islam is a comprehensive and accurate account of the beliefs and practices of Islam. Told from the viewpoint of Budi, an Indonesian youth. Colorful photographs augment the handwritten captioned text.

Participatory . . . lending?

Sun, 07/08/2007 - 2:28pm by remnil

The Web 2.0 revolution has brought user participation to a new level. Thanks to sites such as Wikipedia, YouTube, and the newly announced Media Predict, mere mortals can create and judge content previously controlled by large media companies.

But according to a pair of segments on the July 4th episode of Marketplace, the participatory mantra is coming to an unlikely sector: banking.

Prosper.com and Kiva.org both connect borrowers directly with lenders, without bank intermediaries. Prosper allows users to solicit lenders by posting their need and fully explaining their situation. They can then borrow from (or lend to) multiple individuals, at various dollar amounts and interest rates. Taking a similar approach, Kiva puts a slightly more philanthropic spin on participatory lending: it facilitates microlending. You can make small loans to entrepreneurs in developing nations, where access to credit is difficult to come by.

What do you think? Would you borrow/lend on such a site? Should banks be afraid?

A good sketch is better than a long speech

Fri, 07/06/2007 - 2:43pm by N3RD

I've been in to picture books, comics, manga, graphic novels or what ever you prefer to call the medium of artistic story telling for a long time. I remember trying to explain my appreciation for graphic novels to my parents. They looked at me with slightly puzzled, slightly worried looks...

"...so are they called graphic novels because they are violent?"

"Some are some aren't, but thats not important"

"... so are they called graphic novels because they have naughty pictures?"

"Some do some don't, but that's not important"

".. so is it the foul language that makes them graphic?"

" NO!, they are called graphic because of the art work."

I grew up with weekly comic book anthologies where I got to follow many stories by different writers. These stories some times had dedicated artists some would change artists and styles from weeks to week. I'm sure just about everyone has heard the proverb about the textual value of a picture and with with artistic story telling a picture is worth even more. With so many changes I came to a realization that I can forgive a bad plot if the art is good but if the art is bad the plot better be 'super fantastic' to continue holding my attention.

I had my favorite writers like Pat Mills, John Wagner, Alan Grant, Garth Ennis, Grant Morrison and Alan Moore and when they worked with my favorite artists of the time like Carlos Ezquerra, Ian Gibson and Massimo Belardinelli then they could do no wrong in my book.

Over the years I've come to experience many differing forms of artistic story telling and my list of favorites is long and twisted. I remember the first time i read Arkham Asylum : a serious house on serious earth, such a dark story it left me a little disturbed. Whenever I return to it I'm amazed at the levels and detail in the work.

OK at the risk of totally undermining anything I've said above, I'll let you into a big secret. One of my other favorites even surprises me. Its not my usual fare but when I accidentally flicked through a copy of the book my eyes caught the mix of photographs and drawings and I actually stopped and took the time to read it.

Knuffle bunny, is a young children's picture book, very short and the art works so well to draw you into the story. Now having said that if you where to stop me on the street and ask me about it I'll deny everything... but really I did enjoy the book ;0)

This is New York by M. Lasek

Fri, 06/29/2007 - 2:57pm by Tahira

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Every page of this book has an exciting fact about the greatest city in the world, New York City, (I'm not just saying this because I am a native New Yorker). This book was first published in 1960 but has been updated. From the biggest things in New York to the smallest, this book has all the fun and flavor of the city.

Kid Bits - A Taste Of Culture

Wed, 06/27/2007 - 12:17pm by ryanikoglu

There is a NEW series of books that are all about food within cultures of the world. With colorful photos, and plenty of information you can find out about the kinds of foods eaten, preparation, and what foods symbolize within cultures. A few titles in "The Taste Of Culture" series are Foods Of Mexico ... think chocolate and guacamole! Foods of Vietnam ... think mooncakes and pho and chicken during Tet. Foods Of Iran ... think lamb kebabs and "promise soup" known as ask (awsh). Foods Of Russia ... think beef stroganoff and Ukrainian Easter eggs. Yumm!

KidBits - Peter Pan

Mon, 06/25/2007 - 2:45pm by ryanikoglu

There is only one sequel to Peter Pan that has ever been granted. It is a current award winner titled Peter Pan In Scarlet by Geraldine McCaughrean. You can visit Geraldine McCaughrean's web site and FIGURE OUT why she was chosen. It is a wonderful family "read together" for elementary school ages, or a fun "read alone" for kids who like longer chapter books and fantasy. The library owns the recorded version which is great for road trips!

Bronzeville Boys and Girls by Gwendolyn Brooks

Thu, 06/21/2007 - 3:16pm by Tahira

From the pleasure of tea parties to the fear of a thunder storm Pulitzer Prize Winner, Gwendolyn Brooks, captures the wonder, pain and joy of childhood in this collection of poems re-illustrated by Faith Ringgold.

KidBits - Virtual Museum Trips

Sun, 06/17/2007 - 3:34pm by ryanikoglu

A wonderful museum visit can be virtually found for the Children's Museum Of Indianapolis. Kids and Adults can FIGURE IT OUT by traveling the internet. Some day you may REALLY get there.

KidBits - Virtual Museum Trip

Sun, 06/17/2007 - 2:59pm by ryanikoglu

What a fun place to FIGURE IT OUT ! Visit the virtual site of The Museum of Unnatural Mystery and explore mysteries of the real world. You can visit and learn about the seven wonders of the world. Try "odd archeology", "cryptozoology" and uncover many, many sources of unusual information. Try "Science Over the Edge" and "Roundup Strange Science for the Month". Have fun on this explore !!

The Play Ground

Fri, 06/15/2007 - 1:33pm by Albert

Juneteenth is the oldest nationally celebrated commemoration of the ending of slavery in the United States. From its Galveston, Texas origin in 1865, the observance of June 19th as the African American Emancipation Day has spread across the United States. Today Juneteenth commemorates African American freedom and emphasizes education and achievement. It is a time marked with celebrations, picnics and family gatherings.
The Ann Arbor Branch of the NAACP is hosting its 13th Annual Juneteenth: A Celebration of Freedom. The family-oriented program includes performances by church choirs and other entertainment, a cakewalk, children's activities, and other fun. Food available. All invited. Wheeler Park, N. Fourth Ave. at Depot St. Free. 769-5976 Noon-5 p.m.

Kid Bits - Picture Books with a Point-of-View

Thu, 06/14/2007 - 5:12pm by ryanikoglu

Like to Figure things out? In journalism, "What's your angle?" In picture books, "What's your point of view?" David Weisner tells the story of Flotsam through pictures only. His illustrations are as dramatic and involving as ever. Neil Curtis presents the story of Cat and Fish Go To See in highly detailed black and white engraving-style illustrations, reminiscent of Escher prints. Walter Wick adds Can You See What I See? Once Upon A Time to his "picture puzzles to search and solve" series that kids love to study. Each is a great "looking" book.

DVD Bits - Ballykissangel

Wed, 06/13/2007 - 4:03pm by ryanikoglu

Ballykissangel. Catholic. Northern Ireland. Priest, Veteranarian, farmer, land developer, teacher, guard and the Pub. BBC Northern Ireland produced this 5 season series based on a small rural town in Ireland, and you probably never heard of it. If you liked Northern Exposure try this. The series is one hour segments of characters in the community and we have all five seasons of the series in the Library. Hollywood video can't even brag this.

He Loves Me, He Loves Me Not

Tue, 06/12/2007 - 4:52pm by french_film_grl

When you are a French Film luvr, as I am, you are usually an Audrey Tautou luvr as well. Audrey is a wonderful actress that posts high in my "A2-C2" actress list. This "A2-C2" categorization means Audrey embodies the characteristics of being attractive, adorable, charming, and classic. In the movie, He Loves Me, He loves me not Tatou plays a character, Angelique, that is reminiscent of Glenn Close's character, Alex, in Fatal Attraction. Instead of one climactic rabbit boiling scene in this film, the climax unfolds slowly as a series of seemingly innocent events. What REALLY is, is not what you were lead to think it was. Yes, it is all very sneaky, sneaky...but, we are misled so well. Misled so cleverly actually, that I had to go back into the film to verify that I saw what I actually thought I saw. Let's just say the love affair in this film between the two main characters is not based in reality, but pure fantasy. Feel the chill when you notice the pharmaceutical collage in the shape of Angelique's love interest in the final scene! The official FFG rating of this movie is a 9.

Happy Anniversary, Happy Anniversary

Tue, 06/12/2007 - 3:50pm by Debbie G.

Join in the Sesquincentennial celebration of the Washtenaw County Historical Society on Saturday, June 16th, 2-4 p.m. at the Museum on Main Street. They’ll be dedicating a 1857 American flag and hosting a garden party so come stroll through the beautiful grounds and take a tour of the Sesquincentennial Exhibit inside the Museum.

KidBits - Storytimes begin !

Sat, 06/09/2007 - 4:33pm by ryanikoglu

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Pack up the babies and grab the old wagon and come on over to the Library. Preschool Storytimes begin the week of June 11, 2007. Pick up a JUMP brochure and plan your summer calendar for reading and fun.

Mr. Ferlinghetti’s Poem: Story and Woodcuts by David Frampton

Fri, 06/08/2007 - 6:15pm by Tahira

David Frampton offers a colorful look into one of the poems of Lawrence Ferlinghetti. The woodcut illustrations bring the poem about a hot day in the city and Ferlinghetti’s imagination to life.

Jonestown Film Cancelled

Tue, 06/05/2007 - 12:11pm by TimG

Due to today's closure of the Downtown Library, the event featuring the film "Jonestown: The Life and Death of Peoples Temple" has been cancelled. The event will be rescheduled at a later date.

Downtown Library will Open Wednesday at 1:00 PM

Mon, 06/04/2007 - 8:05pm by eli

The Downtown library will re-open today, Wednesday, June 7 at 1:00 PM. All programs and events scheduled for this afternoon and evening will occur as planned.

Holds ready for pickup on Tuesday and Wednesday will be extended until Friday, June 8 and Saturday, June 9.

Fines will not accrue on items returned in dropboxes Downtown while the Library was closed.

This closure was a significant inconvenience for many, and we do apologize.

We are very happy to be able to open the doors today!

Josie

The New Atheism

Sat, 05/26/2007 - 12:52pm by pumpkin

Recently, several books have been published on the subject of atheism which are quite strident in nature, namely: Richard Dawkins The God Delusion, Sam Harris The End of Faith and Christopher Hitchens God is not Great. An interesting article by Anthony Gottleib in the May 21st New Yorker, puts these writers in perspective, hearkening back to Enlightenment writers like Voltaire (who attacked the Church but believed in a supreme designer) and Hume, who "cheerfully" defined his atheism unlike the current angry and dogmatic writers.

For an opposing viewpoint, see Francis Collins’ book The Language of God, Collins is head of the Human Genome Project. A onetime atheist, he converted to Christianity.

See also annevm’s blog dated March 28 2007, which talks about the Fresh Air interview with Richard Dawkins.

Buggy Factory on S. Main at Moseley

Fri, 05/25/2007 - 4:49pm by jaimonr

Does anyone have a picture of the Ann Arbor Buggy Factory in its early days before the storefront was added?

The only photo of it that I know of it, pre- the George Brigham show window addition, is a small one, printed on a publication of the Ann Arbor Cooperative Society (the building was the Ann Arbor Co-op store then). This is with other papers of the co-op that my dad donated to the Bentley Library in the 1950s.

-- Wystan Stevens

The Boy Who Was Raised by Librarians by Carla Morris

Fri, 05/25/2007 - 3:10pm by Tahira

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Melvin is very curious. Every day he goes to the library to ask librarians Leola, Marge, and Betty, questions about everything. These enthusiastic librarians always help Melvin find the answers. Carla Morris writes an amazing tribute to librarians everywhere.

I Lost My Tooth in Africa by Penda Diakite

Thu, 05/17/2007 - 4:34pm by Tahira

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Amina is going to Africa to visit her father’s family. On the way she notices that she has a loose tooth. Her father tells her if she loses her tooth in Africa and puts it under a gourd she will get a chicken from the African tooth fairy. This Coretta Scott King Honor and Reading Rainbow book is filled with hope and family love. It is a wonderful adventure for a small child.

Life Journeys

Thu, 05/17/2007 - 1:00pm by ryanikoglu

Were you 20 something in the 70’s? Are you 50 something in the new millennium?
These stories are good ArmChair travels with people finding their way since coming-of-age in the 1970s.

Better Off: Flipping The Switch On Technology is the story of an MIT graduate who decided to step away from a high-tech future and work an Amish-style farm life for the first two years of marriage. Same River Twice is a documentary on the “grown-up” lives of five Colorado River Guides “since they left the summer river life” of their youth. William Least Heat Moon wrote Blue Highways in 1982 while traveling county roads (the blue highways on maps) across the US, and visiting with residents all along the way. Hungry Ocean: A Swordboat Captain’s Journey is written by Linda Greenlaw, the only female Swordboat Captain off the east coast of Main.

The Best Of Youth

Tue, 05/15/2007 - 4:24pm by french_film_grl

Best Of Youth is a wonderful Italian film that tells the tale of two Italian brothers' lives. The film setting starts out in the 1960s and follows the brothers through the next 40 years of their lives. This film encompasses every aspect of themselves and the world they live in including; politics, love, passion, family, hope, regret, death, loss, and searching. This movie is particularly wonderful because the characters could be us or anyone we know. The sincerity of this film is brought even more to heart via the wonderful acting performances throughout the movie. This movie begs the question, "Why isn't anyone in America making films like this???"
The official FFG rating for this movie is an 8.
Roger Ebert shares his thoughts on this film, if you want to get his take on it Roger Ebert Reviews "Best Of Youth"