By Staff
The Library of Michigan has announced the five finalists for the 2006 “Michigan Reads!” one-state, one-preschool-book program, set for March 2006, and invited preschoolers and book lovers of all ages to cast their votes now through Dec. 9.
People can take part in the voting by casting their ballots online at www.michigan.gov/michiganreads. The book which earns the most votes will be announced in mid-December.
The five books on the 2006 Michigan Reads! ballot are:
Bed Hogs by Kelly DiPucchio, illustrated by Howard Fine
Loudmouth piglet Little Runt longs for more room in the family's bed, a straw pile. One by one he pushes each pig out of bed, but he didn't count on how he would feel with the bed all to himself.
DiPucchio grew up in Rochester and graduated from Michigan State University.
In the Small, Small Pond by Denise Fleming.
A child explores animal life in a freshwater pond and learns about the changing seasons.
Fleming graduated from Kendall College of Art and Design in Grand Rapids.
Stranger in the Woods by Carl R. Sams II and Jean Stoick.
A stranger appears after a winter storm, much to the fascination of woodland creatures from deer to bunnies to birds.
Both authors grew up in Michigan - Sams on an island near the mouth of the Au Sable River and Stoick on a farm near Vassar. They now live in Milford.
Sheep in a Jeep by Nancy Shaw, illustrated by Margot Apple.
Five sheep pile into a jeep for a roadtrip filled with misadventures, from forgetting to steer to plummeting over a hill.
Shaw earned her bachelor's degree at the University of Michigan. She lives in Ann Arbor.
Imogene's Antlers by David Small.
Imogene discovers one morning that she sprouted antlers overnight. While she takes it in stride, her family and friends don't know what to think.
Small was born in Detroit and graduated from Wayne State University. He lives on the banks of the St. Joseph River.
Michigan Reads! was launched in 2004 by the Library of Michigan in partnership with the Michigan Center for the Book to promote the value and benefits of reading early and often to preschoolers; to encourage family bonding through reading; and to increase awareness and usage of Michigan's hundreds of public libraries.
Each spring, Niles District Library plans a series of activities for children based on the selected book.
The program is sponsored by Brogan &Partners, Michigan Education Savings Program, Michigan Education Trust and the Library of Michigan Foundation.