We know you are done with homework for the rest of the year (SQUEE!) but we wanted to remind you that the library is still open - sort of!  All Dearborn Public Libraries will be closed December 24 & 25 as well as December 31 & January 1.  Otherwise, regular library hours apply.

We have lots of programs to fill your free time.

Saturday, Dec. 21 (all ages) is "Let's Go To The Movies" Day with a craft at 1:30 pm and a movie in the auditorium at 2:00 pm.

Monday, Dec. 23 (all ages) is "Holiday Break Game Day" with gaming from 2:00-4:00 pm.

Thursday, Dec. 26 (all ages) is a Fairy Tea Party at 2:00 pm.  *REGISTRATION REQUIRED* Call 313-943-2345.

Friday, Dec. 27 (ages birth - Grade 12) is a Book Exchange from 11:00 am - 4:00 pm.  Bring in a gently used book for a brand new paperback.  Used books will be donated to FOLD.  One trade per person WITH A VALID DEARBORN PUBLIC LIBRARY CARD.  Please bring your library card with you when you come in to trade.

Monday, Dec. 30 (all ages) is a Snowflake Extravaganza Craft from 2:00-4:00 pm. 

Thursday, Jan. 2 (all ages) is a Pirate Party at 2:00 pm.  *REGISTRATION REQUIRED* Call 313-943-2345.

Friday, Jan. 3 (all ages) is a Paper Dolls Craft at 2:00-4:00 pm.

Come on in for fun!

How do you sing it?

You know Dasher, and Dancer, and Prancer and Vixen...

That the start of one of the favorite children's Christmas songs of all time.  We all know the words, but what about all the extra words everyone sings?  Do you know the same ones that the kid from the next school over does?  Do you sing the same ones that your mom and dad do?

The standard words (written by Johnny Mercer in 1954) are

Rudolph the red-nosed reindeer

Had a very shiny nose,

And if you ever saw it

You would even say it glows.

All of the other reindeer,

Used to laugh and call him names.

They never let poor Rudolph

Join in any reindeer games.

Then one foggy Christmas Eve,

Santa came to say,

"Rudolph with your nose so bright,

Won't you guide my sleigh tonight?"

Then all the reindeer loved him,

And they shouted out with glee,

"Rudolph, the red-nosed reindeer,

You'll go down in history!"

What extra words do you add in?  Is his nose like a flashlight or a light bulb?  Do the reindeer play Monopoly or baseball?  Does Santa 'Ho! Ho! Ho!' or show up in his underwear?  Does Rudolph go down in history like George Washington or Columbus?

Are there any other Christmas songs that you use different words to?

If you'd like to see Rudolph's whole story join us at the Henry Ford Centennial Library for the Rankin-Bass favorites - Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer and Santa Claus is Comin' to Town.  There will be a craft at 1:30PM, Saturday December 20 and the movies to follow at 2PM.

Halloween Countdown....8 Days to Go

OK.  Got the costume set...

Decorations?  Not yet?  Oh, no!

Don't run to store!  Make your own!

Again, look at  Pinterest.  (Yes, we love Pinterest.  Follow DearbornPL to see what we love and who we follow.)

You can also come to the library and check out inspiration.

Some fun books include:

 

And there are many more!  We even have DVDs to show you Halloween Crafting!

Happy Hauntings!

Some Library Inspiration

Need some crafty ideas or just like to look at cool things?  Check out the Dearborn Public Library Youth Pinterest page (DearbornPL Youth).  There you'll find craft ideas, book recommendations, and some other cool stuff.  Here's a few things your trusty librarians have pinned lately.

Source: orientaltiger.tumblr.com via DearbornPL on Pinterest

Source: theofficestylist.com via DearbornPL on Pinterest

Source: nheilke.com via DearbornPL on Pinterest

Source: flickr.com via DearbornPL on Pinterest

Source: blog.shopdirtylaundry.com via DearbornPL on Pinterest

Don’t Miss!

Join us this week at Henry Ford Centennial Library for two no-regristration events.  Drop in and have fun with the family!

Wednesday, June 29.  10:30am.  Storytime.  Ages 2-6. 

Weather permitting we’ll meet by the fountain for storytime.  Join us for stories and rhymes celebrating '”One World, Many Stories.  All Family members are welcome, but storytime is geared for children 2-6 years old.  In the event of rain, storytime will be held indoors.

Wednesday, June 29.  11:00am – 7:00pm.  Native American Stick Game Craft.  All Ages.

We’ll be creating a fun Native American game this week.  Younger children will need adult assistance.  One craft per child. 

Don't BUG me, I'm reading!

We're coming to the middle of the Summer Reading Program. So far here at the Henry Ford Centennial Library we have had over 400 kids read over 1500 books! Sixty-one kids have joined our Little Bugs Program for those patrons under age three. Wow! We hear things are busy at the branches too. (And don't forget the reading programs for Teens and Adults - Metamorphosis @ your library.)

All over Dearborn, we've done crafts, had magic shows, released butterflies, watched praying mantises grow and all sorts of other fun stuff.

You haven't joined Summer Reading Program yet? Come on. We have still three more weeks to go. Check out some books and check out some fun!

Get Buggy!

Wow! It's been a wild week here at the library. The Summer Reading Program has started and hundreds of kids have been visiting us. We even had Gordon Russ the magician here on Tuesday! He was great!

Catch the Reading Bug! What a great idea! We love catching bugs. And a reading bug must extra tasty! Oh, we don't eat reading bugs, you say? Well, maybe we'd better just settle in with a good book then. We promise not to leave any tooth marks.

Looking for something more than just great books at the library? Check out all of the other fun stuff we're doing at all of the Dearborn Libraries. Here at Henry Ford Centennial we have praying manitids, little baby praying mantises. They're really cool. Over at Esper Branch, Mrs. Patty has a butterfly pavillion. And don't forget crafts everywhere!

Well, we should run. Make sure you come and visit us really soon. We proimise not to bug you too much!