Go Undercover!

It’s that time again! We’re almost ready to kick off our annual Summer Reading Club. If you’re not familiar with our club, it’s easy and fun! Registration begins Tuesday, May 30th, and can be done in person at either library or online. Children entering Preschool – Grade 5 can join our children’s club, where they get game cards to track their reading, either by hours or by numbers of books read - it’s their choice. Along the way, there are opportunities to win great prizes!

For babies and toddlers, we have game cards that are filled with fun early literacy activities for you and your little ones to do together, and each child who completes either the baby/toddler or children’s club will win a book to take home!

During SRC, we’ll also have a long list of great programs for the whole family to enjoy. Check out our program schedule here. In addition, each week we’ll have a different theme for our craft centers located in the children’s room at the Centerville Library. You and your kids can stop by anytime we’re open to make cool crafts and complete our coloring sheets.

Finally, I know that many of you are eager for storytimes to start up again. Fortunately, we don’t have to wait too much longer, since they will begin the week of June 5th. Check out the new summer storytime schedule here. Registration is not necessary for any summer storytimes, so feel free to join us whenever you can!

We’re looking forward to seeing lots of excited readers this summer who are ready and willing to “go undercover” with a good book!

Guest post by Bridget W. 

Get Ready for Storytime!

Did you know that your library offers seventeen regularly scheduled Storytimes each week? Many larger library systems provide far fewer options, so we consider ourselves fortunate to have such a full roster, with the demand to match it.

The library’s Storytimes, typically offered in six-week sessions during the year, as well as on some individual Saturday mornings, offer fun and enrichment that can benefit parents and children of different ages. We incorporate stories, fingerplays, nursery rhymes, movement, songs and more into what may be one of your child’s first social experiences outside of the family setting. We also share some tips on Early Literacy for you to use at home when reading and interacting with your children.

Registration for Baby (0 – 18 months) and Toddler (18 months - 3 years) Storytimes will begin on Monday, September 12th at 10AM. These sessions are very popular and fill quickly, so give us a call or register online to reserve your spot. There are also Storytimes for Preschoolers and Kindergarteners which are available on a drop-in basis without registration, and Family Storytimes where everyone is welcome to stop by and join the fun. Pick up a schedule at the library, call us, or check out our online Program Calendar to find dates and times that will work for you and your children. We hope to see you at the library!

Guest post by Bridget W. 

Happy 2016!

We’re starting off 2016 with some great programs that you and your kids are sure to enjoy. Check them out:

January 4th 10:00 AM – Storytime Registration

It’s almost time to register for our 6-week winter storytime session. Registration begins at 10:00 AM on Monday, January 4th. Preschool, kindergarten, and family storytimes do not require registration, but if you want to sign up your baby (newborn – 18 months) or toddler (18 – 36 months) for one of our weekly storytimes, make sure you sign up early; our spots fill up fast! The easiest way to register is online at http://wclibrary.info/events/, but you can also register by phone or in person at either library. Storytimes for this session will begin the week of January 11th.

January 5th 10:30 – 11:30 AM (Centerville Library) – Baby Boogie

Your little ones (newborn – 36 months) will boogie themselves silly with our favorite storytime songs and activities. Because registration is not required, there’s nothing stopping you from coming to this fun-filled event!

January 5th 6:30 – 7:30 PM & January 6th 10:00 – 11:00 AM (Centerville Library) – Fun with Polar Bear, Polar Bear, What Do You Hear?

This workshop, part of our Every Child Ready to Read program, is for parents and children (newborn – 5 years). Parents will learn how to incorporate early literacy activities into everyday reading, writing, singing, talking, and playing with your children. Parents and children will have the opportunity to practice using some of these new tools. Registration is required for this event (http://wclibrary.info/events/), and space is limited.

Enjoy the rest of your holiday family time, and we look forward to seeing you at the library soon!

Mark Your Calendars!

Storytimes are back! Our Fall Storytime registration (for baby and toddler storytimes ONLY) begins next Monday, September 14th at 10:00 AM, and all of our storytimes will begin the week of September 21st. You can register online, by phone, or in person at either of our libraries. See our storytime page for details about day, time, and location of each of our storytimes. We look forward to seeing you soon for some storytime fun!

Happy 2015!

We’re starting off 2015 with some great programs that your kids are sure to enjoy. Check them out:

January 5th 10:00 AM – Storytime Registration

It’s almost time to register for our six-week winter storytime session. Registration begins at 10 AM on Monday, January 5th. Preschool, kindergarten, and family storytimes do not require registration, but if you want to sign up your baby (newborn – 18 months) or toddler (18 – 36 months) for one of our weekly storytimes, make sure you sign up early; our spots fill up fast! The easiest way to register is online at http://wclibrary.info/events/, but you can also register by phone or in person at either library. Storytimes for this session will begin the week of January 12th.

January 6th 10:30 – 11:30 AM (Centerville Library) – Baby Boogie

Your little ones (newborn – 36 months) will boogie themselves silly with our favorite storytime songs and activities. There is no registration required, so there’s nothing stopping you from coming to this fun-filled event!

January 6th 6:30 – 7:30 PM & January 7th 10:00 – 11:00 AM (Centerville Library) – Fun With The Very Hungry Caterpillar

This workshop, part of our Every Child Ready to Read program, is for parents and children (newborn – 5 years). Parents will learn how to incorporate early literacy activities into everyday reading, writing, singing, talking, and playing with your children. Parents and children will have the opportunity to practice using some of these new tools. Registration is required for this event (http://wclibrary.evanced.info/signup/eventcalendar.aspx), and space is limited.

Enjoy the rest of your holiday family time, and we look forward to seeing you at the library soon!

It's That Time Again...Storytime!

The wait is almost over! Our Fall Storytime registration (for baby and toddler storytimes ONLY) begins next Monday, September 8th at 10:00 AM, and all of our storytimes will begin the week of September 15th. You can register online, by phone, or in person at either of our libraries. See our storytime page for details about day, time, and location of each of our storytimes.

Also, we’re starting our monthly sensory storytimes again. The next one will be this Saturday, September 6th, from 11:00-11:30 AM in Centerville Library’s program room. This storytime engages children through movement, body awareness, and other sensory activities. It serves children with autism, language delay, sensory processing disorder, and children with disabilities. Parents, caregivers, siblings, and therapists are welcome, and no registration is required.

We look forward to seeing you soon for some storytime fun!

You're Not Alone: Reading Frustration Affects the Best of Us!

At the library, I hear lots of parents of little ones lamenting about the fact that their kids will not sit still for stories—not even just one. Though this must be frustrating for parents who are eager to pass along a love of books to their kids, it does not mean that their kids are wild, disinterested, destined to be reading failures, or any of the million other conclusions that discouraged parents might consider. The truth is that kids, especially babies and toddlers, have really short attention spans. That’s just how they’re wired. It’s completely normal for them to want to be up and dancing around, rather than nestled sweetly into our laps for a story.

If you’ve ever joined us for one of our Baby or Toddler Storytimes, you’re a firsthand witness to the fact that these little humans are not able to sit for a long period of time. That’s why we do all of the songs, fingerplays, and dancing that we do; it’s a necessity! We also understand that when we’re reading, kids are going to be walking/crawling around and not seeming to be paying a bit of attention to us. And that’s perfectly acceptable!

If you happen to have one of those normal kids who doesn’t want to sit still for a book, read one anyway. You’ll be surprised at how much your children will get from the book, even when they’re playing across the room and appear to be completely tuning you out. Another great way to develop an affinity for books is to just keep them everywhere—in the toy box, on the bookshelf (The best is one that’s accessible to little hands and where you keep some books face-out, so kids are drawn to the pictures on the covers.), in the diaper bag, in their car seat, etc.

Finally, don’t worry! I know it’s easier said than done, but if you’re exposing your children to books often, you’re doing them a world of good. You may not be seeing the fruits of your labor now, but you will…eventually. J

New Year, New Fun at the Library!

We’re starting off 2014 with some great programs that your kids are sure to enjoy. Check them out:

January 6th 10:00 AM – Storytime Registration
It’s almost time to register for our 6-week winter storytime session. Registration begins at 10 a.m. on Monday, January 6th. Preschool, kindergarten, and family storytimes do not require registration, but if you want to sign up your baby (6 – 18 months) or toddler (18 – 36 months) for one of our weekly storytimes, make sure you sign up early; our spots fill up fast! The easiest way to register is online at http://wclibrary.info/events/, but you can also register by phone or in person at either library. Storytimes for this session will begin the week of January 13th.

January 7th 10:30 – 11:30 AM (Centerville Library) – Baby Boogie
Your little ones (6 – 36 months) will boogie themselves silly with our favorite storytime songs and activities. There is no registration required, so there’s nothing stopping you from coming to this fun-filled event!

January 8th 6:30 – 7:30 PM or January 9th 10:00 – 11:00 AM (Centerville Library) – Fun With Polar Bear, Polar Bear, What Do You Hear?
This workshop, part of our Every Child Ready to Read program, is for parents and children (birth – 5 years). Parents will learn how to incorporate early literacy activities into everyday reading, writing, singing, talking, and playing with your children. Parents and children will have the opportunity to practice using some of these new tools. Registration is required for this event (http://wclibrary.info/events/), and space is limited.

January 9th 10:30 – 11:30 AM (Centerville Library) – Toddler Shape Up
Drop in and focus on learning shapes with fun, hands-on activities specifically designed for toddlers (18 – 36 months). No registration required.

Enjoy the rest of your holiday family time, and we look forward to seeing you at the library soon!

Don't Miss Out...

…on these upcoming programs that you and your family are sure to love!

February 23^rd 11:00 A.M. -12:00 P.M. (Centerville Library) – On Your Head: A Family Storytime

Join us for stories about hats, birds, and bunnies on your head. There will be 30 minutes of stories and 30 minutes of craft-making, where the kids will get a chance to make birds on their heads! There is no registration necessary, and the whole family is welcome.

February 25^th 10:00 A.M. – Storytime Registration

It’s almost time to register for our 6-week spring storytime session. Registration begins at 10 a.m. on Monday, February 25th. Preschool (for ages 3-5 years) and evening storytimes do not require registration, but if you want to sign up your baby (6-18 months) or toddler (18-36 months) for one of our weekly storytimes, make sure you sign up early; our spots fill up fast! The easiest way to register is online at http://www.wclibrary.info/events/, but you can also register by phone or in person at either library. Storytimes for this session will begin the week of March 4th.

February 26^th 10:30-11:30 A.M. (Centerville Library) – Baby Boogie

Your babies (6-36 months) will boogie themselves silly with our favorite storytime songs and activities. There is no registration required, so all are welcome to join in the fun!

February 27^th (babies & toddlers) & February 28^th (preschoolers) 10:00-11:00 A.M. (Centerville Library) – Fun with The Very Hungry Caterpillar

This workshop, part of our Every Child Ready to Read program, is for parents and children (birth-3 years and 3-5 years). Parents will learn how to incorporate early literacy activities into everyday reading, writing, singing, talking, and playing with your children. Parents and children will have the opportunity to practice using some of these new tools. Registration is required for this event (http://www.wclibrary.info/events/), and both sessions have already filled up. We do have a waiting list, though. If you’re interested, go ahead and sign up on the waiting list. Hopefully a spot will open up for you!

Happy New Year!

Happy New Year! I hope you all had a safe and fun holiday season with your family and friends. Some of you may have made a New Year’s resolution yesterday. If that resolution is to come to more programs at the library, you are in luck! We are starting off 2013 with several great events for you and your kiddos. If you made a different resolution, I suppose we’ll still allow you to come to our programs. But maybe you can consider it for next year? J Here are a few of the events coming up soon:

January 7^th 10:00 A.M. – Storytime Registration

It’s almost time to register for our 6-week winter storytime session. Registration begins at 10 a.m. on Monday, January 7^th. Preschool (for ages 3-5 years) and evening storytimes do not require registration, but if you want to sign up your baby (6-18 months) or toddler (18-36 months) for one of our weekly storytimes, make sure you sign up early; our spots fill up fast! The easiest way to register is online at http://wclibrary.info/events/, but you can also register by phone or in person at either library. Storytimes for this session will begin the week of January 14^th.

January 8^th 10:30-11:30 A.M. (Centerville Library) – Baby Boogie

Your little ones (6-36 months) will boogie themselves silly with our favorite storytime songs and activities. There is no registration required, so there’s nothing stopping you from coming to this fun-filled event!

January 9^th 10:00-11:00 A.M. (Centerville Library) – Fun With Polar Bear, Polar Bear, What Do You Hear?

This workshop, part of our Every Child Ready to Read program, is for parents and children (birth-5 years). Parents will learn how to incorporate early literacy activities into everyday reading, writing, singing, talking, and playing with your children. Parents and children will have the opportunity to practice using some of these new tools. Registration is required for this event (http://wclibrary.info/events/), and space is limited.

January 14^th 7:00-9:00 P.M. (Centerville Library) – Kindergarten: Ready or Not?

This program, for adults only, will include a panel of local kindergarten teachers and a library staff member (yours truly) who will be discussing the ideal skills and traits children should have at the beginning of kindergarten. There will be time for questions at the end. If you have a preschooler (or younger!) at home, this is a great, informative program. There is no registration required for this event.

I hope to see you and your little ones at the library soon!

Llama, Llama for the Smallest Book Lovers

You may be familiar with the Llama Llama books, since Llama made a visit to the Children’s Department last year. Anna Dewdney makes llamas look cute and cuddly, and creates rhyming text that just rolls off your tongue. So I was really excited when I saw this set of board books come in, just perfect for babies and young toddlers.

The pictures are colorfully painted, and feature little llama doing all kinds of typical baby/toddler things. The great artwork is combined with simple, short verses that span a few pages before starting the next verse. There’s a lyrical rhyme that almost makes you want to sing the text. There are sounds and actions so baby can engage with the story. After repeated readings, toddlers are sure to fill in the rhymes at the end of each verse. And of course, there’s that cute little llama in bright colors looking so happy it should make any child want to stay involved in the story to see what he is going to do next. By the end of the story you and your child will be up dancing around!

Parents of babies will be happy to hear the Centerville Library has added an evening Baby Storytime to the schedule this session which will meet on Wednesdays from 6:30-7:00 p.m. in the Children’s Room. As with our other evening storytimes, there is no registration required, so participants may drop in with their 6-18 month-old whenever it is convenient. Hope to see you there! Guest post by Heidi T.

Monkey See, Monkey Do

Have you ever noticed that children love to mimic animals from a very young age? Many of our young patrons come in for storytime and greet Bobo, our monkey mascot, with a monkey’s “oohhh—ahhh—eee”. Some even include the actual arm movements monkeys make when “talking”. It’s a fun activity to act out with your child when reading together about animals.

The newest picture book from Lorena Siminovich titled Monkey See, Look at Me! is a great book to read together and to act out different animal sounds and actions. Little monkey jumps up and down and says he’s a rabbit, but then his friend Rabbit says, “No, silly, I’m the rabbit. See?” and then bounces "off" the page. It’s a fun, interactive book that allows kids to show off their jumping skills or to roar like a lion! I will definitely read this story in my toddler storytime this coming fall!

Speaking of storytime, registration begins Monday, September 10 at 10am for Baby & Toddler Fall Storytimes (Preschool storytimes do not require registration).  Check our times and locations on our website to register beginning Monday morning. If you’re worried your little one is a little too rambunctious for storytime, no worries! We encourage little ones to walk around and once they’ve attended storytime a few times, they’ll start to remember the songs and want to sing along and dance with the other parents and children. As we know, little ones love to mimic others! Guest post by Amy A.

What's in a Name?

So I've been reading the book Amazing Minds by Jan Faull, which talks about simple things parents can do to nuture their child's mind during the newborn and toddler years. Being a parent of a 16-month-old, I'm always interested to learn about the way a child's brain develops and see it play out in my son. Right now he's learning new words like crazy, and one of the first words he recognized was his name.

Research shows that babies as young as 4 and 1/2 months old can recognize their names. According to Faull, using your toddler's name in conversation can be a powerful tool to support and reinforce behavior. So when your child does something good, like help clean up her toys, use her name when talking about how she helped and she'll pay attention and likely repeat the behavior. When your child gets a little older, she'll be able to recognize her name in print. And when she starts to learn letter names and sounds, the most important letter to her will be the first letter in her name.

Knowing letter names and sounds is an important precurser to learning how to read. So start with the letters in your child's name and point them out on signs, menus, in books, wherever. Talk about what sounds those letters make and look for objects that begin with the same sounds. In our weekly storytimes, each child has a nametag, and it's amazing to watch them learn which one is theirs - they always look for that first letter! Sometimes they can even recognize that letter in another child's tag. So don't underestimate the importance of a name - it's more of a learning tool than you think. And have fun helping your child recognize her name and everything that goes into it! Guest post by Shelly P.

Cuddle Close and Have a Look

I love reading books to children and I love when parents or grandparents later tell me how they have storytime at home, just like Miss Pam does it. The children delight in singing "open-shut them" or "cuddle close and have a look" in front of their favorite stuffed animals or dolls. Then they begin to read - either they've memorized the story or they "read" the pictures to their small, quiet audience. What a joy! These things don't just happen - children who have this devout interest in books have been read to since they were born. They have been allowed to play with, chew on, and look at board books since a very early age. Their parents probably bring them to the library for storytime and allow them to pick out their own books. These are the children who will start school already reading or will pick it up very easily in the first months of Kindergarten.

Start your babies on this path - pick up some wonderful board books. We have hundreds to choose from! Let your child get acquainted with them. Board books are so great - they're made of sturdy stuff and can withstand being chewed on, walked on, or thrown around. They are just the right size for little hands, purses, or diaper bags. Choose ones with bright colors, pictures of babies, or things children can easily recognize - dogs, cats, balls, trucks, etc. Find ones with textures to feel or flaps to peek under - it's all fun! It's something wonderful to do for our children and the enjoyment will last a lifetime. Check out the great board books available at the library! Guest post by Pam R.

Coming soon: special storyteller guest appearances!

While I'm at home in the coming weeks taking care of my brand new baby bookworm, you are in for a special treat.  Each week one of our storytellers will be posting about her favorite books, songs, or rhymes.  With a whopping 80 years combined library storytime experience, our family of storytellers are knowledgeable, passionate and blessed with great senses of humor.  Don't miss their recommendations! 

I'll leave you with the Splendid Spotted Snake, a "magic ribbon book" that is quickly becoming my favorite new color book.  With each page turn, an additional strand of bold yellow ribbon appears making the snake "grow" as you read.  This feature makes learning colors AND which direction to turn book pages fun for everyone!

Brand new 'Brary Bags!

Thanks to a grant from Target, the library has created a collection of 'Brary Bags, each with a different theme, that are filled with books, a toy, and a sheet of awesome early literacy activties to do at home.  Starting January 16th, we will have bags at both locations that are appropriate for babies, toddlers and preschoolers.  Hurry in to get your hands on one before they are all checked out! 

"Are You Awake?"

"Mm-mm. No." responds the mom in this story to her pajama-clad visitor.  Edward pries her eye open and asks a string of questions along the lines of, "Why is it dark? Why is it still nighttime? Why hasn't the sun come up yet? Why is it Tuesday?..." You get the picture. 

The dialogue is comical and authentically conveys a little boy impatiently waiting for his father, an airline pilot, to arrive home.  This is a perfect choice for any toddler or preschooler with a parent who works at night, or travels frequently. 

P.S. Don't forget to set an alarm (maybe not the toddler-pulling-your-eyelid kind) about Winter Storytime Registration next Monday, January 9th! 

Back in the Habit

And I'm not talking about Whoopi Goldberg in a nun outfit (Sister Act II anyone?).  It's time to get back in the habit of visiting the library each week for storytime.  Creating a reading routine with your children, like attending storytime, is a great way to make a habit of incorporating early literacy into your day. It also reminds you to bring back the bag of books that slid under the seat of the van.  Returning to the routine of fall puts me in the mood for pumpkin spice lattes, scarves, and cozy storytimes with mitten-clad toddlers. 

Starting on September 12th at 10am, you can register by visiting us at the library (we do like to gab and catch up with our old friends), by calling us, or by logging onto our website.  For a list of storytime dates and times, check out our Storytime Page.  On the 12th, there will be a large Registration Now Open button at the top right side of our website that will take you directly to our registration page. 

Fall classes fill up soon, so mark your calendars, or put a sticky note on the 'fridge.  Storytimes start the following week on September 19th. We can't wait to see you and your children!

No puppets? No problem.

Imaginative play is one of the most meaningful and effective ways to teach children...it's also fun and inexpensive (let's face it, those last two seal the deal for me).  You don't need elaborate puppets like the ones made by Folkmanis, (although they make great gift suggestions for grandparents who tend toward toys of the noisy and plastic variety). 

You can make almost any book into story pieces with your computer (or one of the library's if your printer is like mine and always seems to be out of magenta) and some laminate or clear packing tape.  Books with familiar characters or repeating refrains work best for this type of play, and free clip art images are a cinch to find online. 

Example: Today in storytime I handed an animal to each child and we did a group retelling of Bill Martin's classic, Brown Bear Brown Bear What Do You See?  The children helped "tell" the story by bringing up the animals placing them on our easel.  Making a game out of stories like this one can help children understand and remember the parts in a story. 

I can make you say "banana."

But you'll have to read this book to find out how...

The best way to help your children become familiar with books is to READ to them.  Yes, it really is that easy!  You may hear someone refer to this as "print awareness," and it simply means your child is starting to grasp that you are reading the black squiggly lines on the page instead of just describing the pictures.

Granted, any book will do, but why not practice with a hilarious option that makes the reader part of the story?  Mo Willems' most recent We Are in a Book! does just that and has the added bonus of two familiar favorites, Gerald the elephant and Piggie the pig.

If you love Mo Willems as much as we do, join us for a family storytime featuring some our favorites on Saturday, January 29th at the Centerville Library. It is appropriately called More Mo (I bet you can get the storyteller to say BANANAS)!