BLOCKBUSTER FILM SERIES – White Fang

Date and Time: Monday, April 21, 2014, 7:00pm – 9:00pm

Location: Henry Ford Centennial Library, Auditorium, 16301 Michigan Ave. Dearborn, MI 48126

Synopsis: Jack London’s classic adventure story about the friendship between a Yukon gold hunter and the mixed dog-wolf he rescues from the hands of a man who mistreats him (107 minutes, rated PG).

“LET’S GO TO THE MOVIES” FILM SERIES (CHILDREN & TEENS) – Snow Buddies

Date and Time: Tuesday, April 22, 2014, 1:30pm – 3:30pm

Location: Henry Ford Centennial Library, Auditorium, 16301 Michigan Ave. Dearborn, MI 48126

Come watch “Snow Buddies” (2007) as part of our “Let’s Go to the Movies” film series. Synopsis: Adorable golden retriever puppies head to Alaska for a sled dog race and make new friends (87 minutes, rated G). Craft in the children’s area at 1:30 p.m.; film in the auditorium at 2 p.m.

     YOUTH EVENT (CHILDREN) – Animal Capers Goes to the Dogs

Date and Time: Tuesday, April 22, 2014, 7:00pm – 8:00pm

Location: Caroline Kennedy Library, 24590 George Ave., Dearborn, MI 48127

Youth Librarian Mr. Jim is in the dog house when the canines take over the puppet show.

     BOOK DISCUSSION – ESL Book Discussion in Arabic/English

Date and Time: Thursday, April 24, 2014, 1:00pm – 2:00pm

Location: Esper Branch Library, 12929 West Warren, Dearborn, MI 48126

Librarian Isabella Rowan will moderate a discussion of The Call of the Wild using bilingual copies of the book (Arabic/English). Pick up a free copy of the book at any Dearborn Public Library location.

     SPECIAL EVENT – An Afternoon with George Guidall

Date and Time: Saturday, April 26, 2014, 1:00pm – 3:00pm

Location: Henry Ford Centennial Library, Auditorium, 16301 Michigan Ave., Dearborn, MI 48126-2792

George Guidall has recorded over 900 unabridged novels and is the recipient of two Audie Awards for excellence in audiobook narration (the industry’s equivalent of the Oscars). His 40-year acting career includes starring roles on Broadway, an Obie award for best performance Off-Broadway, and frequent television appearances. Guidall will present “The Art and Artifice of Audiobook Narration,” offering a glimpse behind the scenes of audiobook production. With signature humor and wit, he will share personal stories, anecdotes and out-takes, describing the subtleties of an art form that speaks to a primal human need for narrative. He will also perform a dramatic reading from Jack London’s The Call of the Wild.

We sent out a call for animal stories and you answered it!  We have over 100 animal tales, which will be published as a book soon. We hope to have an Animal Tales author meet-and-greet at the Wrap-up Party on May 17! Keep checking the website for updates. For now, we have a sneak preview of the cover for Animal Tales!

The Big Read Dearborn will present a free, special program featuring the man behind the voice, George Guidall, at 1:00 p.m. on Saturday, April 26, 2014, in the auditorium at Henry Ford Centennial Library, 16301 Michigan Avenue, Dearborn.

George Guidall has been delighting listeners and relieving long car trips for more than 20 years. As an audiobook narrator, Guidall has narrated and recorded more than 900 unabridged novels including classics like Crime and Punishment and best sellers like Snow Falling on Cedars and Lillian Braun’s “Cat who . . .” series. Guidall is widely recognized in the audiobook industry and has received two Audie Awards (the industry’s equivalent of an Oscar) during his career. This year, he will receive a Special Achievement Award from the Audio Publishers Association in honor of his distinguished career.

In addition to being an award-winning audiobook narrator, Guidall also has a long established career as a Broadway actor. During his 40-year career in the theatre that includes many starring roles, he has shared the stage with Kevin Kline, Morgan Freeman, and Meryl Streep. Guidall has received an Obie award for best performance off Broadway.

As a special part of his Big Read Dearborn presentation, Guidall will perform a dramatic reading from The Call of the Wild by Jack London. Guidall considers narration an art form that speaks to the primal human need for narrative. During this program, he will also share personal stories, anecdotes and out-takes about narration production.

This event is free and open to the public. Attendees will have the opportunity to be entered in a raffle to win a Guidall audiobook. For more information, please call the Dearborn Public Library at 313-943-2330.

Calling all youth photographers! Answer the call by submitting a photo of the environment, nature, or wildlife to The Big Read Dearborn’s Youth Photo Exhibition. View the full submission guidelines and enter a photo for a chance to win a gift card prize!

• Contest open to those ages 18 & under.

• There is no entry fee.

• Photos must be submitted by April 21, 2014.

• Photos will be on display in the youth area of the Henry Ford Centennial Library during May 2014.

There are only two weeks left to prepare your submissions for the “Do You Hear the Call?” Open Photo Competition! The competition will recognize outstanding photographic images featuring themes of nature, wildlife and the environment. Enter for a chance to win the $500 Best in Show award!

Amateur and professional photographers 14 years of age or older are welcome to submit up to two works in the competition which will be juried by award-winning Michigan photographer Monte Nagler. Dearborn residency is not required to enter this competition. Entry fees are $15 for one entry or $25 for two entries per artist. Works must be delivered on April 28, between 2:00 and 6:00 p.m. to Henry Ford Centennial Library. Selected works will be exhibited at the Library from May 1-19, 2014.

For additional details about preparing and delivering entries for submission in the competition, download the entry form, pick up an entry form at any Dearborn Public Library location or the Ford Community & Performing Arts Center, or call 313-943-5478.

This week is National Library Week (April 13-19), a time to celebrate the role of libraries in communities across the U.S. This year’s theme is “Lives change @ your library.” There’s no better time to get involved in library activities!

The Dearborn Public Library and Dearborn Heights Libraries are bringing to you three wonderful youth programs this week. In addition, the Friends for the Dearborn Animal Shelter will have another pet adoption event on Saturday, April 19. If you’ve been thinking about adopting, it’s the perfect chance to meet your new furry friend!

     YOUTH EVENT (CHILDREN) – Animal Capers Goes to the Dogs

Date and Time: Tuesday, April 15, 2014, 6:30pm – 7:30pm

Location: John F. Kennedy, Jr. Library, 24602 Van Born Rd., Dearborn Heights, MI 48127

Youth librarian Mr. Jim is in the dog house when the canines take over the puppet show.

     YOUTH EVENT (CHILDREN & TEENS) – Third Thursday Craft

Date and Time: Thursday, April 17, 2014, 11:00am – 7:00pm

Location: Henry Ford Centennial Library, 16301 Michigan Ave., Dearborn, MI 48126

Drop-in craft. Get in touch with your wild side while making a wolf mask. Younger children may need adult assistance. Crafts available while supplies last.

     YOUTH EVENT (TEENS) – Pizza & Pages

Date and Time: Thursday, April 17, 2014, 6:30pm – 7:30pm

Location: Henry Ford Centennial Library, 16301 Michigan Ave., Dearborn, MI 48126

Discuss Jack London’s The Call of the Wild and meet new friends while enjoying free pizza! Open to students in grades 6-12. Register today.

     SPECIAL EVENT – Pet Adoption

Date and Time: Saturday, April 19, 2014, 12:00pm – 3:00pm

Location: Friends For the Dearborn Animal Shelter Pet Training Center, 2621 S. Telegraph Rd., Dearborn, MI 48124 (at Oxford, next to Pet Supplies Plus)

The Dearborn Animal Shelter has wonderful cats, kittens, dogs, and puppies available for adoption. This is a chance to meet these animals who are looking for their forever homes!

Earlier this month, local branch employees from Leader of the Pack sponsor DFCU Financial visited two Dearborn schools, Salina Elementary and McDonald Elementary, to perform dramatic readings from The Call of the Wild for over 200 students. Read more about it in the Press and Guide, “Dearborn Students Take a ‘Wild’ Reading Trip.”

Don’t forget about today’s lecture, Coyotes of the Rouge, presented by Bill Dodge, a PhD candidate at Wayne State University. Learn about the urban coyotes living in Dearborn and the Metro Detroit area. The lecture will be held at the Henry Ford Centennial Library in the Auditorium from 1:00-3:00 p.m.

Also mark your calendars for An Afternoon with George Guidall on Saturday, April 26, 1:00pm – 3:00pm. George Guidall has recorded over 900 audiobooks and will present “The Art and Artifice of Audio book Narration,” offering a glimpse behind the scenes of audiobook production. As a special performance for The Big Read Dearborn, he will perform a dramatic reading from The Call of the Wild.

On Wednesday, April 30, 6:00pm – 8:00pm, the Dearborn Public Library will have a special visit from C. Alexander London, author of the Dog Tags series, who will talk about getting in touch with your wild side and writing through an animal’s perspective. All ages are welcome.

All lectures will be held at the Henry Ford Centennial Library. For more information about these programs and others, check out the full schedule of events.

Check out this week’s Big Read events!

     BLOCKBUSTER FILM SERIES – Balto

Date and Time: Monday, April 7, 2014, 7:00pm – 8:30pm

Location: Henry Ford Centennial Library, 16301 Michigan Ave., Dearborn, MI 48126

Synopsis: An outcast half-wolf risks his life to prevent a deadly epidemic from ravaging Nome, Alaska (78 minutes, rated G).

     YOUTH EVENT (CHILDREN) – Hear the Call Storytime

Date and Time: Tuesday, April 8, 2014, 6:30pm – 7:30pm

Location: Henry Ford Centennial Library, 16301 Michigan Ave., Dearborn, MI 48126

Children with a caregiver are invited for stories and songs focusing on dogs, wolves, and the wild. Space is limited. Register by phone at (313) 943-2345 or in person at any Dearborn Public Library location.

BOOK DISCUSSION – R.E.A.D. (Read, Eat, and Discuss) at the Mardigian Library

Date and Time: Wednesday, April 9, 2014, 12:00pm – 1:00pm

Location: Mardigian Library, University of Michigan-Dearborn, 4901 Evergreen Road, Dearborn, MI 48128

The R.E.A.D. Book Club will meet to discuss The Call of the Wild.

     LECTURE – Coyotes of the Rouge

Date and Time: Saturday, April 12, 2014, 1:00pm – 3:00pm

Location: Henry Ford Centennial Library, Auditorium, 16301 Michigan Ave., Dearborn, MI 48126

Bill Dodge, a PhD candidate at Wayne State University, will give a presentation on the coyotes of the Rouge River.

Do You Hear the Call?

You can get your very own Big Read Dearborn t-shirt with a howling wolf logo on the front and partner logos on the back.

Adult and kid sizes of Big Read Dearborn t-shirts are for sale at the Henry Ford Centennial Library check-out desk for $15.

Show your support of The Big Read Dearborn in style!