Get up close and personal with the animal world when the Animal Crackers Petting Zoo visits several Kent District Library branches this summer. Children of all ages are invited to hang out with and learn about the animals from one of the largest exotic traveling petting zoos in the area. There are sure to be some great photo opportunities, so don’t forget the camera!

Schedule
Tuesday, June 14, 4:00 PM – Spencer Township branch
Wednesday, June 15, 1:00 PM – Tyrone Township branch
Thursday, June 16, 6:30 PM – Plainfield Township branch
Tuesday, June 21, 1:30 PM – Cascade Township branch
Wednesday, June 22, 6:30 PM – Alpine Township branch
Monday, June 27, 2:00 PM – Krause Memorial branch
Tuesday, June 28, 10:00 AM – Kentwood branch
Tuesday, June 28, 3:00 PM – Comstock Park branch
Wednesday, June 29, 2:00 PM – Gaines Township branch
Thursday, July 7, 4:00 PM – Walker branch
Thursday, July 7, 7:00 PM – Grandville branch
Tuesday, July 12, 2:00 PM – Byron Township branch
Tuesday, July 12, 6:30 PM – Englehardt branch
Thursday, July 14, 1:30 PM – Alto branch
Thursday, July 21, 2:00 PM – Caledonia Township branch

Former Michigan native Lilian Jackson Braun passed away on Saturday, June 4 at the age of 97.  Ms. Braun was the well known author of 31 books, 29 “Cat Who…” and 2 books of short stories.  She was in the process of finishing her final book, The Cat Who Smelled Smoke, at the time of her death.

Any readers of this popular series will miss her main character Qwill, as well as Koko and Yum-Yum, the two Siamese cats.

The Lollapalooza music festival celebrates its 20th anniversary this year in Chicago’s Grant Park. Whether you have already bought your ticket, or are thinking about going, the Kent District Library has compiled a list of albums of highlighted bands that will be playing at this year’s festival. And, don’t forget, you can also download thousands of MP3 files through our online free music service, Freegal. Rock on!

Visit http://www.lollapalooza.com/ for event dates and information.

Young children love to count! Children ages 6 and under are invited to our Around the World – Easy as 1, 2, 3 program. Come explore new cultures with stories, songs and crafts that celebrate counting around the world. Activities include painting with water colors, hopscotch, bowling, a parachute game, and so much more!

Schedule
Monday, June 13, 2:00 PM – Krause Memorial branch
Wednesday, June 15, 6:30 PM – Sand Lake / Nelson Township branch
Thursday, June 16, 10:30 AM – Englehardt branch
Monday, June 20, 10:30 AM – Alto branch
Tuesday, June 21, 10:00 AM – Grandville branch
Tuesday, June 21, 2:00 PM – Walker branch
Wednesday, June 22, 10:00 AM - Byron Township branch
Wednesday, July 6, 10:00 AM – Tyrone Township branch
Monday, July 25, 10:15 AM – Plainfield Township branch
Wednesday, August 3, 7:00 PM – Caledonia Township branch
Thursday, August 4, 10:00 AM – Caledonia Township branch

This is just one of the many programs that celebrate our world!

Online security is always a concern, but not everyone considers the safety of the files on their computer.  Sensitive information should be protected in case someone steals your computer or if someone you don’t know very well borrows your computer “just to check email.”  There is also the concern of a hacker accessing your data while you are connected to the internet.

Dick Eastman is not only a well-known genealogist but a techie as well.  Mr. Eastman recently wrote an interesting article about The Ultimate Security for Your Data.  He covers use of encryption software to protect information on your computer’s hard drive and gives suggestions for both Apple and Microsoft computers.

If you have a suggestion for protecting computer data, leave a comment below!

………“Then listen now, to what I say”…….                                

The Kentwood Branch is looking for a few good teen bands for the first ever…

KENTWOODPALOOZA!

When:  Thursday July 28, 5:30PM

Where: Kentwood Library Amphitheatre

What: Rock ‘n’ Roll Extravaganza

“For those about to rock (we salute you)” get your application in the branch or fill out the online form.

Click here for more info and to access the onlne form.

All genres welcome.

Band members cannot have graduated prior to 2011.

Each month KDL staff join Shelley Irwin on the WGVU Morning Show to talk about what’s going on at the library. This month, listen to Sara D’Archangel, Youth Specialist at the Kentwood Branch, talk about KDL’s upcoming Summer Reading Club for the whole family (babies through adults). Enjoy!

Audio clip: Adobe Flash Player (version 9 or above) is required to play this audio clip. Download the latest version here. You also need to have JavaScript enabled in your browser.

Download WGVU6-2-11.mp3

Re-telling a book is a great way to reinforce Narrative Skills with a child. Read the fun book Swimmy by Leo Lionni and then create some props together to help retell the story and get in the mood for summer activities.  This Caldecott Honor book is the story of a little fish that shows his friends how they can overcome danger through teamwork. 

Start by creating your own ocean scene on paper.  Many of the beautiful illustrations in this book were created through stamping.  You can easily interpret this by making your own potato or styrofoam stamps.  By cutting away a shape that your child has drawn on a potato or carving a picture they have drawn on a Styrofoam plate, they can use washable tempera paint to stamp their own original scene.  Then you can either make fish with paper or double-up the activity with snack time by using goldfish crackers and gummy fish to represent the fish characters for the retelling.

Among the highly-anticipated movie adaptations of books coming this out this year is The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo, based on the bestselling novel by Swedish author Stieg Larsson. Starring Daniel Craig and Rooney Mara, the film comes to a theater near you on December 21. The first trailer was just released, and promotes the film as “The Feel-Bad Movie of Christmas“:

Any thoughts? For those of you who have seen the original Swedish-language film adaptation, how do you think the English movie will compare? And if you haven’t read this very popular book yet, there’s still plenty of time:

• Request a copy of The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo
• See the official movie website

At KDL, we are committed to providing the popular materials that you want to read, listen to, or view.  Look what’s new this month:

Smokin’ Seventeen by Janet Evanovich
Learning by Karen Kingsbury
Now You See Her by James Patterson
True Grit (DVD)
Just Go With It (DVD)
The Adjustment Bureau (DVD)

Place a hold on one today. Enjoy!