Great Books for Early Elementary Readers

I saw this super duper booklist - Great Early Elementary Reads -  from the American Library Association and had to post it for our young readers in Kindergarten, First, Second, and Third Grade.  We hope you find some books here to enjoy.

http://www.ala.org/alsc/compubs/booklists/greatreads/greatearlyelemreads

New Ways to Use the Library

Judging from the people walking through the Library today, some of you may have received e-readers like the Nook or the Kindle as gifts.

Remember! You can check out free ebooks (and audiobooks and more) from the Stratford Library! Just visit our Overdrive downloadable page and use your Library card to check out ebooks. 

Want to learn more about your new 'toy'? Then attend one of our sandboxes where Library staff will demonstrate a variety of new gadgets including the iPad and several ereaders. Dates and times can be found here.

Storytime with Lola the Dog Cancelled

Friday's storytime with Lola the Newfoundland dog has been cancelled due to illness. We apologize for the inconvenience.

We WILL have reading with Siena & Drago on Thursday, December 29 at 3 p.m. Please call to sign up for a spot at 203.385.4165

No Storytime with Lola Tomorrow

Due to illness, there will be no Storytime with Lola the Dog tomorrow, December 2.  (Lola is fine). Storytime will take place Friday, December 16 at 10:30 a.m. We apologize for any inconvenience.

No Lapsit December 8

There will be no Baby Lapsit on Thursday, December 8 at 10:30 a.m. There will be class December 1, 15, and 22. We apologize for any inconvenience and hope to see you at the other dates.

Tree Lighting Events

Stratford’s Holiday Festival is on Wednesday, November 30 in Stratford Downtown and one week later on December 6^th in Paradise Green.  The Downtown Event, which will begin at 5:30 (there will be a puppet show for children at the Library at 4:30), will be in front of Milford Bank where we will light the tree at 6:15, and the Paradise Green event will begin at 6:00 pm. More information at: http://stratford.patch.com/events/stratford-holiday-event Information about the puppet show at: http://www.robertrogerspuppets.com/Soldier.htm

Enjoy!

Gift Book Suggestions for our Bookfair!

The Stratford Library Children's Librarians have compiled some suggestions for good books to give children as gifts.  You can see the entire list here.

Whether it's the girl who fell in love with her chocolate cake (Betty Bunny Loves Chocolate Cake )

or Letter E falling down on the job (E-Mergency),

or the heartwarming story of Pit-Bull Rescue (Saving Audie)

this list provides great ideas for children of all ages. 

Barnes & Noble Fundraiser this Friday night

We hope to see all of you this Friday night from 6:30-8:30 p.m. at the Barnes & Noble of Milford for our Children's Department fundraiser.

Unable to attend? Shop online 11/18-11/23 at bn.com/bookfairs and use our code at checkout: 10573103

Thank you!

Stratford Library Children's Barnes & Noble Bookfair

We would love to have Stratford families join us at our Barnes & Noble Bookfair on Friday, November 18 at 6:30 p.m. We will have games for children as well as free balloon animals and meet the dogs. Anything you purchase at B&N or online at bn.com/bookfairs will benefit the Library (purchases between November 18-23).  Thank you SO much for supporting us. See below for the voucher you can bring with you.

Vouchers 2011

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Stories in Sign starts this Sunday

Come hear wonderful stories in sign language with signing expert Leila Jenkins this Sunday, November 6 at 1:30 p.m. Sign language is a great way to expand your child's knowledge of language and brain development. Call to register at 203.385.4165.  This program will also meet Sunday, November 20 at 1:30 p.m.

November Calendar

November 2011

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Halloween Storytimes at the Library

Hi, Storytime parents!

Just to let you know, the following storytimes will be dress up storytimes! 
Tuesday, October 25 at 10:30 a.m. (Preschool Storytime)
Monday, October 31 at 10:30 a.m. (Toddler Time) and 11:15 a.m. (Registered Toddler Time)












photo courtesy of flickr user Joe Shlabotnik

Dance Video Workshop

The Children's Department will be having a Dance Video workshop on Monday, October 10 (Columbus Day) from 2:30 to 4 p.m. Ages 8 to 12. We've decided to be really brave and 'attempt' to learn the dance from 'Thriller' in honor of the spooky nature of October. So if you have kids who 'gotta dance', you can sign them up for this fun afternoon. Call us to register at 203.385.4165.  Make sure the kids wear clothes they can dance in. 

October calendar available

October 2011

View more documents from slakids.

What's on our mind this week

Hi, everyone! 

Here are the hot topics in the Children's Department this week:

1. Kindle-compatible.  Be sure to ask us about our ebooks. They now work with Kindle. 
2. Registered Toddler Time (Yes, it's a switch. But it IS a hot topic!). Registration for the November session begins Monday, October 31 at 11 a.m. We're very sorry, but we can't accept chocolate to sneak your child into this hot program :)
3. October Programs. Registration for many of our October programs is open. Please check our calendar for details.

Have a great, sunny Monday.

Kindle ebooks are here!

We're so excited about a long awaited addition to our ebook collection; ebooks are now available for Kindle users (as well as a variety of other ebook readers and smartphone devices).

You'll need your Stratford Library card to check out ebooks, and you can find out more, as well as check out ebooks here!

Please let us know how you're enjoying this new service!

Events this week

Don't forget, everyone, our monthly afternoon storytime is today, Tuesday, at 4 p.m.
Also this week...
Knitting - Wednesdays at 3:45 p.m. - Ages 7 to 12
PJ Storytime - Wednesdays at 6:30 p.m. - Ages 2 and up
Lapsit - Thursdays at 10:30 a.m. - babies and young children who are lapsitters
Parent & Child Book Discussion - Thursday at 4:00 p.m. - Ages 6 to 10 - Hear different versions of The Fisherman and His Wife and then discuss them
Fall Art - Saturday at 10:30 a.m. Ages 5 to 10.

Saturday is our Great Bird Festival day!  Come at 10:30 for crafts in the Children's Department and at 2:30 p.m. for a Live Bird Demonstration.

To register for any program, please call us at 203.385.4165 or email childrens [at] stratfordlibrary.org

Storytimes start this week!

We're off to an awesome start with the first week of storytime! Big hello to all my toddlers who visited us this morning. Don't forget...

Mondays at 10:30 a.m. Toddler Time - under 3
Tuesdays at 10:30 a.m. Storytime - ages 3 and up
Wednesdays at 6:30 p.m. PJ Storytime ages 2 and up
Thursdays at 10:30 a.m. Baby Lapsit - lapsitters only, please!

Join us anytime; programs are drop in; no registration required. Check our calendar for school holiday schedules.

School First Day Announcement & Extra Library Programs

Check out the school's website for updated info on the first day (now next Tuesday) and first day of Kindergarten (next Wednesday)

As a result of the delayed school schedule, the Library will offer extra programs:
Wednesday at 2:30 p.m. Book Cover Craft Ages 5 to 12
Thursday at 2:30 p.m. School's Out Spelling Bee Ages 6 to 12

We're open!

Hi, everyone!

Woke up very excited this morning that the power was back on at work and we could be here with doors open and smiles to welcome Hurricane Irene survivors (do you have the t-shirt yet?!). So we're open, and come on down and enjoy our electricity if yours is out or if you just need to get out of the house.  And for those kids who are missing school, I put out coloring pages and worksheets for those Lisa Simpsons in the town!

P.S. I won't tell you about Tropical Storm Katia, formed in the same place H. Irene was!

Weather Tips

Families looking for tips on this weekend's wet and windy weather can find them at the State of CT's Department of Emergency Management website. Have a plan and stay safe!

September events

September events are now posted on the Library calendar.  We hope you'll join us for Storytime, Science Kids, and many other programs throughout the fall.

Please call us with questions! We're at 203.385.4165.

Summer Reading ended Saturday, but lists can still be printed

The prizes and raffles ended Saturday, but you can still access your child's record to print out their list of books. Visit http://www.libraryinsight.net/rplogon.asp?jx=sf&rp=774&i=1 to get to summer reading!

Water Carnival Postponed to Thursday

Due to an uncertain weather forecast, the Water Carnival will now be this Thursday at 3 p.m. Hope to see you all there!

Watch the Weather for the Water Carnival

We're watching the weather for Tuesday's water carnival. Please call us at 203.385.4165 with questions about the weather. If it's thundering, we will postpone; sprinkling, probably not.

Last Week of Summer Reading

This is the last week of summer reading! Stop by this week to record any last minute books, receive the last prize of the week, or join us for the Water Carnival, Square Dancing, or Reader's Theatre. Please see the calendar for details.

Fall storytime and program schedule will be available soon!

Fire Department Date Change

Due to training, the Stratford Fire Department will visit us Thursday (NOT WEDNESDAY!) at 10:30 a.m. starting in the Lovell Room and then outside to the fire truck!  We apologize for the inconvenience, but we think the weather agrees with us; Wednesday is supposed to be icky!

What's going on this week?

Well, there's Summer Reading, of course! And Storytimes! 

Plus, special events for next week include:
Knitting on Monday at 3:00 p.m. Ages 7-12
Balloon Animals on Tuesday at 2 p.m. while supplies last.
Cinderella Party Wednesday at 3 p.m. Ages 3-9. (Waitlist only)
Read to Siena and Drago therapy dogs (Waitlist only)
Beading Workshop on Friday at 2:30 p.m. Ages 8-12. (Waitlist only)

See you soon!

Author Ryan San Angelo to Visit the Library

Meet children’s author Ryan San Angelo on Wednesday, August 3 at 3 p.m. in the Stratford Library’s Children’s Room.  Children ages 5 to 9 will enjoy Mr. San Angelo’s lively style and guitar playing as he talks about his book, Spaghetti Eddie. Copies of his books will be available for purchase and autographing. This program is sponsored by the Carol Pieper Memorial Fund. Registration is requested. To register or for further information, call the Stratford Library Children’s Department at 203.385.4165

Jay Reidy Magic Show - Time Change

The Jay Reidy magic show on July 20 will now take place at 1:30 p.m. We apologize for the inconvenience. Sign ups are available for this show at 203.385.4165.

Programs this week!

Wow, we were hopping this morning! I guess everyone in Stratford is back from the 4th of July!
So remember:

STORYTIMES this week
- Wednesday at 10:30 a.m. Bilingual Storytime
- Wednesday at 6:30 p.m. PJ Storytime
- Thursday at 10:30 a.m. World Art (registration is full at this time)

Check our calendar for more events!

I'll try to post some pictures this week; busy-ness pending!

Storytimes Start!

Summer Storytimes start Tuesday, July 5 with Toddler Time at 10:30 a.m.
For a full list of our storytimes, please see the calendar.
You can also visit our summer reading website for more info

See you soon!

Animal Embassy - Summer Reading Kick off Event

Children ages 4 and up are invited to the Summer Reading kickoff event on Friday, July 1 at 11 a.m.  The kickoff event will be Animal Embassy with rescued and endangered animals from around the world. Space is limited and registration is required. To register, call 203.385.4165 or email childrens [at] stratfordlibrary.org        

Summer Reading!

Counting up all the beautiful flags on the wall, then losing count, and starting over again, we have ... well, a bunch of summer readers already! You can sign up for summer reading any time the Library is open!

Find out more about Summer Reading on our Website!

Summer Homework! Also, the Stratford Schools have posted their Summer Assignments for children K-12 on the Stratford Board of Education website.

Summer Reading starts June 1

We're very excited that you can sign up for summer reading at the Stratford Library beginning June 1st! Sign up any time the Library is open.  Any child can sign up for summer reading, birth to age 12 (and beyond; check out our teen and adult summer reading programs when you visit!).

You can visit our summer reading page for more information! http://www.slakids2011.blogspot.com/

Summer Reading is coming soon!

Get ready, get set, read! Summer reading is just around the corner.  In fact, it starts June 1. Sign up to belong to this summer's club, One World, Many Stories. All children are welcome to participate. Pick the club that's right for you!
- Read to Me club for children not yet reading independently. Complete 10 activities to receive an invitation to the party with singer Melissa Green. 

- Summer Reading club for children up to grade 7. Complete 5 books to receive an invitation to see funny man Keith Munslow.

See you starting June 1st for Summer Reading!

First Teen Volunteer Orientation this Saturday

The Children's Department is seeking responsible teens grades 8 to 12 who wish to help with this year's summer reading program. Interested teens should plan to attend one of the orientation sessions. At orientation, teens will learn about scheduling, summer reading, and other aspects of the program.

The 3 dates are:
Saturday, May 14, 10:30-12 p.m.
Wednesday, June 15, 6:00-7:30 p.m.
Friday, June 24, 2:30-4:00 p.m.

Please register by calling 203.385.4165

Decorative Arts Makes Birdhouses

The ever popular Decorative Arts class will be constructing birdhouses Saturday, May 7 from 2:30 to 4:00 p.m. and I think* this is going to be the style they will make. The materials fee is $5 and due at the time of registration. Ages 7 to 12.

To sign up, stop by the Children's Department desk. For more info, call 203.385.4165.

Vacation Week programs

Hi, everyone!

Well, we had a rousing Toddler Time this morning to start off vacation week (even though the school children aren't out until tomorrow), so a few announcements:
- Tuesday - no storytime - storytime resumes April 26
- Wednesday - Spring Crafts ages 3 to 12; 10:30 a.m. to 12 p.m.
Pajamarama storytime at 6:30 p.m.
- Thursday - Spring Crafts ages 3 to 12; 10:30 a.m. to 12 p.m. Movie Making (which is pretty much full) from 1 to 4 p.m.
Friday - Library Closed
Saturday - we're open!
Sunday - Library Closed

Save Our Stratford Library

The proposed budget for Stratford Library for 2011-2012 includes drastic cuts to the Library's budget. This will result in:

• Library closures on Sundays, Saturdays, weekdays, and evenings
• Cancellations for programs for ALL ages including Story Hours, Summer Reading, and Homework help
• Fewer books, DVDs, audiobooks, and databases
• A reduction of 20% in library staffing

Please help us serve you. Share a brief note or conversation with your council person. Tell them what you love about the Library and why we are important to you.

Opportunities to address Town Council include: 

• Monday, April 11, 6:00 p.m. Town Hall
• Wednesday, April 13, 6:30 p.m. Bunnell High School
• Thursday, April 14, 6:30 p.m. Stratford High School.

Please consider attending one of these public forums (wear red!), write to your council person, and sign a petition at the Library.  Thank you for showing your support of the library.

Moms over Coffee this Friday

We have several sold out programs this week (which I won't mention to tempt you!), but we have a little space left in our Moms Over Coffee program which meets this Friday at 2:15 p.m. It's pretty low key; show up, bring your kids, hear about new books for adults in a relaxed setting.

Want to join? email us at childrens [at] stratfordlibrary.org or call us at 203.385.4165

Big Nate

This series, Big Nate, seems to be the next 'big thing,' so some extra copies have just entered the building (Look for them soon, on a shelf near you!). Some of them are comic books, and some of them are hybrids, which means a chapter book with doodles or comics interspersed.

It's based on a comic strip that has been around for a while, and it follows a middle schooler as he does his everyday-kid type stuff, including, surprise, surprise, doodling!  I have a big feeling that fans of Wimpy Kid won't mind at all reading this series.

Enjoy!

Therapy Dog Facts!

Our therapy dogs, Siena & Drago will be here at the Library this Thursday from 3:30 to 5:00 p.m. and on Wednesday, March 16 from 4:30 to 6:00 p.m. Children of all ages can sign up to read to them by calling the Library at 203.385.4165.

I was trying to describe Siena and Drago, so I went to the Kennel Club website for a few facts about Spinone Italiano, which is their breed.
- They're hunting dogs (which we knew because they went hunting in the upper North west this fall!)
- Their heavy coat makes it easy for them to handle underbrush and cold swims
- They are friendly and quiet (which, if you have ever met Siena & Drago, you know is true)

Stop by and share a few of your own dog facts with us!

March - Lion or Lamb?

As we await the first week of March, wondering if it will enter as a lion or a lamb, stop by the Library for a storytime or a special program.
- Monday - Toddler Time at 10:30 a.m.
- Tuesday - Preschool Storytime at 10:30 a.m.
- Wednesday - PJ Storytime at 10:30 a.m.
- Thursday - Lapsit at 10:30 a.m. and Read to the Therapy Dogs from 3:30-5:00 p.m.
- Friday - Storytrain at 10:30 a.m.
- Saturday - Magical Musical Me at 10:30 a.m.

Homework Questions this Week

We've had some really excellent homework questions this week, and here's a sampling:
- African American Inventors
- Invisible Inc. mystery books (by Elizabeth Levy)
- books on telling time
- books that rhyme
- books about monster trucks
- audiobooks about baseball
- how to draw Idaho
- turtle books
- action adventure stories

Stop by and ask us your excellent question!

This week in Children's

Lots going on this week, and no snow (knock wood) to interrupt the plans!

Tuesday - storytime at 10:30 a.m. and Countdown Math Games at 4:00 p.m. (Ages 5-9)

Wednesday - Excel at 4:00 p.m. and PJ Storytime at 6:30 p.m.

Thursday - lapsit at 10:30 a.m. and Read to Dogs 3:30-5:00 p.m.

Friday - storytrain at 10:30 a.m.

Saturday - Decorative Arts - 2:30-4:00 p.m. Make your own quillow (quilt that's a pillow) $10 materials fee due at sign up. 

Call to register for programs at 203.385.4165. Drop in for storytimes.

Don't forget! Vacation week programs are filling up fast. Check out our calendar at http://www.townofstratford.com/content/1302/3189/3198.aspx

Let's Be Decorative!

Saturday, February 19, we'll have our next Decorative Arts class from 2:30-4:00 p.m. We'll be making a 'Quillow,' that is, a quilt that is a pillow. (Look at the owl pillow and the green quilt; they're actually a quillow!)

The materials fee is $10, and you can sign up in the Children's Department any time we are open.

No Pajamarama Tonight

The Stratford Library Children's Department's evening storytime, Pajamarama, is canceled for tonight, February 2nd. I heard on television that we should only have 2 more weeks of real winter.  Well, it sounds nice, but I'll believe it when I see it!

Go outside, carve into a snow bank, and treat yourself to yard-made slushies in honor of our chilly ice day! See everyone soon at the Library!

Again with the snow

I'm not sure anyone is quite sure what this mammoth storm is going to do, rain, ice, sleet, rainy ice, icy rain, snow, but in any case... please call the Library at 203.385.4165 to make sure programs will still be taking place during inclement weather.  The Library may be open, but a program may still have been canceled if a speaker, performer, or workshop leader cannot get to the Library.

48 days left until spring. Tick tock, Jack Frost!

Snow Cancellation for Wednesday, January 26

Hi, everyone,

Well the forecast came a little early today, so with the snow, the Library will be closing at 3:30 p.m. today, Wednesday, January 26.  Pajamarama is therefore canceled. Please call or check posted cancellation notices to check on the status of tomorrow's Baby Lapsit program at 10:30 a.m.

Thanks, be safe, and happy shoveling!

Snowy Weather In the Forecast

Hi, everyone!

I hate to use the dreaded s word (s-n-o-w), but it looks like more snow this Wednesday and Thursday morning.  Please phone us (203.385.4165) before coming to the Library for Pajamarama on Wednesday night at 6:30 p.m. or Baby Lapsit on Thursday morning at 10:30 a.m. These programs may not take place even if the Library is open. 

See you soon in your snow boots!

Moms Over Coffee Postponed

Hi, everyone,

Due to the predicted snow, Moms Over Coffee will be postponed to our February 11 meeting date at 2:30 p.m. This decision is irrespective of the Library's being open for business; assume the Library will be open unless you hear otherwise through our regular news channels.

So see you in February!  We'll have twice as much fun then to make up for the delay!

Decorative Arts January 22 - Make Wrist warmers!

Are you the creative type? (I'm not!)  Well, if you are AND if you are ages 7 to 12, you can make these nifty wrist warmers at our Decorative Arts Class on Saturday, January 22 from 2:30 to 4:00 p.m.  And with the way the weather is going, you will need them!

Please register ahead of time by calling 203.385.4165 or by emailing us at childrens [at] stratfordlibrary [dot] org.

You will have fun. And. You will be warm. These are both good things.
See you soon!

Moms Over Coffee

This is a new program we hope you'll enjoy. Bring your small children to play while you hear about good adult books (When was the last time you had grownup time?). Coffee served. We meet once a month on Friday at 2:30, and the January meeting is Friday, January 21. Register at 203.385.4165.

New Playaways!

The librarians did a dance around the room yesterday because the new Playaways are in!  Here is the juicy list in no particular order! Oh, I forgot.  In case you do not know what a Playaway is, it's an MP3 player with an entire book on it for you to listen to.  You just plug your headphones in, hit the play button, and away you go!  You can recognize their bright orange cases in our media section.

The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe
Geronimo Stilton books 11-16
Slightly Scary Stories for Halloween
Peter and the Wolf
Peter Pan
39 Clues #3
39 Clues #7
39 Clues #10
Child's Day Out
Ready Freddy
Maynard Moose and other tales
Charlie and the Chocolate Factory
Four-Story Mistake
Ga'Hoole: The Journey
Ga'Hoole: The Capture
Mr. Popper's Penguins
Make Way for Ducklings
Sweet Farts
Anne of Green Gables
The Little Princess

New online for kids

We're very excited to have World Book Encyclopedia online for our patrons.  You can see the link to World Book from our Resources page.  All you need to access it from your home or laptop is your Stratford Library card.

And for our young patrons, we're equally excited to have Tumblebooks which is an interactive Storybook site where children can listen to wonderful stories and even read along. You can access Tumblebooks from our Downloadable Media page. Tumblebooks also uses your Stratford Library card to enter the site.