Patch Picks: Up a Book!

Our new weekly feature called "" highlights contributor and reader picks of great local businesses, destinations, services, organizations, ways to spend a day off,  dining, recipes and more. 

Find useful lists to help you, your family, friends, and significant others find ideas for everything from Sunday brunch to great bars, pumpkin patches, date night destinations, florists, girlfriend nights out, kids party places, parks, yummy food and more.

The Canton Public Library now has an excellent, new online book-club program called "BookPage." If you like lists and you like books, you should  definitely take a virtual stroll through this great online resource.  Top picks are listed in a variety of categories, such as "New Fiction," "Children's Chapter Books," "Teen Scene" and "Best-Selling Fiction."

To celebrate Read Across America Day, here are an assortment of kid-friendly books, and a few for adults too:

1. For all the little readers out there, and to honor Read Across America Day and Dr. Seuss, read The Cat in the Hat with your child. For more information on Read Across America Day, go to the website at http://www.nea.org/readacross

2. For a little Seussical inspiration, kids of all ages (even adults) will enjoy reading Oh the Places You'll Go. Get some reading activity ideas here.

3. Read a chapter book with your older child, such at The Star Maker by Laurence Yep, available at the Canton Public Library.

4. A great picture book to get your little ones excited about reading. Check out Snowmen All Year by Caralyn Buehner, another Canton Library recommendation.

5. Although Read Across America Day is geared toward kids, adults can join in on the reading celebration too:

• "Swamplandia! By Karen Russell.  This whimsical fictional story for adults focuses on a Florida family business going "south." What makes the business unusual it that it is an alligator wrestling business.
• Room By Emma Donahue. This best-seller is told through the eyes of a five-year old and highlights the parent-child bond through a charming story.
• Squirrel Seeks Chipmunk, A Modest Beastiary By David Sedaris. David Sedaris is a comedian and novelist whose latest fiction is a compilation of animal stories.
• The Weird Sisters By Eleanor Brown. This award winning adult fiction novel tackles sisterhood, ailing parents and the library. It speaks to the difficulties in relationships that families encounter when elderly parents require family care-taking."