Rainbow Loom pics!

Here are the pics from today's Rainbow Loom Get Together! See if you can find the pencil, the elephant, and the flag! We'll meet again the last Saturday in January.

Apps for children? Yes, we have that covered!

Did your family add a tablet or other tech gadget this holiday season? Here's a quick list of places to look for apps for children. Of course, there's no 'one size fits all' app, so choose the ones that will work best for your family! Also, don't forget about our "Tech Sandboxes" - Bring your device and learn how to use it! Dates and more info at:  http://stratfordlibrary.org/events.html

“Apps for Kids” Pinterest Board
http://pinterest.com/angelalibrary/apps-for-kids/

iPad Apps and Early Literacy
 http://www.slideshare.net/elloyd74

Darien Library’s App List (updated monthly)
http://www.darienlibrary.org/kids/apps-tech/5880

Kirkus Book Reviews App Lists
http://www.kirkusreviews.com/lists/ipad/

Smart Apps for Kids
http://www.smartappsforkids.com/

Stratford Library – a few of our favorites (Book apps recommended by Raising a Reader)

-       Animoto (make your own movies)

-       Zooborns (baby zoo animals)

-       Overdrive (download our ebooks, audiobooks and movies)

-       OneClick Digital (download our audiobook collection)

-       Pop Out! The Tale of Peter Rabbit by Beatrix Potter (Loud Crow Interactive, Inc.)

-       I Love You Through and Through by Bernadetter Rossetti-Shustak (Scholastic, Inc.

-       Moo, Baa, La La La! By Sandra Boynton (Loud Crow Interactive, Inc.)

-       The Fantastic Flying Books of Mr. Morris Lessmore by William Joyce (Moonbot Studios)

-       Green Eggs and Ham by Dr. Seuss (Oceanhouse Media)

Victoria Soto Legacy Project

For information on the Library's Victoria Soto Legacy Project, please see the info page at:
http://stratfordlibrary.org/victoria-soto-legacy-project.html 

Thank you for your interest.

Toddler Pics - as promised!

Here are the pics from today's Toddler Time - so much fun! Miss you all until January!

Don't Forget to Read Around Stratford!

Grades K to 6 Reading Challenge!

Read 1000 pages this year from now to March! Win monthly prizes and earn a ticket to the Library's Reading Party in April.

This month's Update: As of early December, our readers logged 10697 pages! What an unbelievable number. I checked it twice, I couldn't believe it was such a huge number of pages. If you haven't signed up yet, do so today! The link is: http://ct.evanced.info/stratfordlibrary/sr/homepage.asp?ProgramID=11

Music Time this Saturday!

If you want a little break from shopping, stop by the Library this Saturday at 10:30 a.m. for music time for children ages 0 to 5. We'll be glad to see you!
Questions? call us at 203-385-4165.

Rainbow Loom Pics!

As promised, here are the Rainbow Loom photos from our get together today (Sunday!). Our next meeting will be December 26 (I think!) So nice to see all of you today!

Read Around Stratford Starts November 4

Sign up for our fall reading program here!
http://ct.evanced.info/stratfordlibrary/sr/homepage.asp?ProgramID=11 

Read 200 pages a month and earn monthly prizes. Read 1000 pages between November and March to earn an invitation to a party! 

Enter our optional Facebook photo challenges at www.facebook.com/StratfordLibrary to win chances for monthly prize drawings.

Writing Workshop this Saturday

This Saturday's writing workshop is for grades 4 to 7 at 11 a.m. We have space for a few more children, so call us at 203-385-4165 if you want to join us! We'll be working on writing and editing skills with a focus on creating a finished product to bring home.

Typing Resources for Today's Class!

For the children in today's typing class, here are the websites for home practice!

http://bgps.sharpschool.net/cms/One.aspx?portalId=892415&pageId=1094833 

Best for Beginners:
http://www.bbc.co.uk/schools/typing/flash/stage1.shtml 
http://www.learninggamesforkids.com/keyboarding_games/keyboarding_games_fillitin_typing.html
http://www.learninggamesforkids.com/typing_factory/home-keys-typing-practice.html

Happy First Day of School!

We've seen so many of you today getting ready for school, which is such a nice last minute reminder of summer before we kick off into fall! Yesterday, the librarians chose the prize drawings for the summer reading program. Today, we called all the winners. We had over 7,700 raffle tickets, and that is a tremendous number of entries, culminating in 34 prize winners and 7,700 books entered :) And today... someone donated our first prize for next year's raffles (only 9 more months)! If you want to donate to next year's prize raffles, please let us know! It's super fun to put together a prize bag for the children :)

Signs of fall!

I put out the Halloween and Thanksgiving movies today! I do love the fall ... though not everyone agrees with me :) Miss A

Summer Reading ends Saturday

Remember to stop by for your last visit before Summer Reading ends Saturday. We cannot say enough good things about all the readers in Stratford. You've done a truly impressive job.

Summer Reading for school

This question comes up a lot in the Children's Department, so here is a quick answer.

Children entering Stratford Schools grades K-6 can access their summer assignments here:
http://stratfordk12.org/Content/2013_Summer_Assignments_For_Students.asp

Children are required to participate in the Stratford School's summer reading.
HOWEVER, there is no *required* reading. Children can read suggested titles from the Governor's Challenge as well as the Stratford Public Schools' Lists or read age appropriate books of their own choice. The most important thing is that every child read this summer!

Some helpful reading links are here:
http://stratfordk12.org/images/customer-files/ElementaryEducation/2013SummerReadingk-2.pdf
http://stratfordk12.org/images/customer-files/ElementaryEducation/2013SummerReadingGrades3to6.pdf
http://stratfordk12.org/images/customer-files/ElementaryEducation/2013GovernorsSummerReadingChallenge.pdf

Fossils and Dinosaurs this Saturday at 11 a.m.

Children ages 6 to 12 can join us for a fun and fabulous dinosaur presentation. See real fossils!
Call us at (203) 385-4165 to register.

Summer Fun!

We had a blast yesterday at Turtle Dance Music and today is Drummer Edward Leonard at 4 p.m. and 6 p.m. (Call to see if we have room at 203-385-4165).

Saturday we have Fossils and Dinosaurs at 11 a.m. for children ages 6 to 12. Please call us to come!

Preschool Music Events

We're having a Preschool Music Marathon next week and you're invited!

Monday at 10:30 a.m. Turtle Dance Music ages 0-6
Tuesday at 4 p.m. OR 6 p.m. Fun with Rhythms with Edward Leonard ages 2-8
Wednesday at 6 p.m. Music with Miss Debbie ages 2-6

Sign up for any event at 203-385-4165!

Summer Reading!

Did you sign up for summer reading yet? It's online here!
Sign up with your library card!

Children not yet reading on their own can stop by the Library anytime to sign up for Read-to-Me program.

Visit our Summer Reading website for events and prizes information! http://slakids2013.blogspot.com/ 

Summer Reading starts soon!

Summer Reading will begin June 1 for children ages 0 to 12. For independent readers, sign up online with your Library card (or visit us in person). For children not yet reading on their own, visit the Library for the sign up paper.
Visit us at the Main Street Stratford Festival to sign up for summer reading, too! We hope to see you there or at the book sale this weekend!

Visit us at the Main Street Festival!

We hope you'll visit us at the Main Street Festival. You can even sign up for summer reading that day! And, it's also the Library's Booksale!

Lots to enjoy!

Pajamarama Storytime postponed until Summer

Due to a scheduling snafu, Pajamarama Storytime will be postponed until the Summer. We deeply regret the inconvenience, and we hope you'll join us this summer! ... in your pjs!

Children and Technology

Many times parents ask us about using technology with children for entertainment or education. Here's one article from WTNH from the American Academy of Pediatric Doctors about technology and young children.

Enjoy!

http://www.wtnh.com/dpp/on_air/goodmorningct/two-is-too-young-for-tablets?ref=scroller&categoryId=10001&status=true#.UVsDVTcS8r4

Raising a Reader Class

The Children's Department will be offering their popular Raising a Reader class Wednesdays from 6 to 7:30 p.m. beginning April 10. Learn all the latest and greatest tips for raising a successful reader. Free dinner and childcare are provided. Please sign up by calling the Children's Department at 203-385-4165.

Library Focus Groups

Please join us for a Children's Department Focus Group. You can give your opinions about Library events and materials. We appreciate your presence and ideas! Sign up for one date!

Tuesday, March 26, 6-7:30 p.m.
Wednesday, March 27, 10:30 a.m. to 12 p.m.
Friday, April 5, 1:30 to 3:00 p.m.

Call us at 203-385-4165 to register or email childrens [at] stratfordlibrary.org

Children's Program Cancellations

Unfortunately, the following Children's Programs will be canceled due to staff absence. We apologize for the inconvenience and hope to reschedule them when possible.

- Sewing Class on March 10
- Spring Art on March 12, 19, and 26
- Maple Sugar Program on March 16

Saturday Let's Find Out

If you work on Fridays, you might want to join us this Saturday for a special edition of Let's Find Out! which will meet March 1 AND 2 at 10:30 a.m. It's a fun mix of activities for ages 2 to 5.
See you here!

Valentine's Day Drop In events

Since there is no school tomorrow (we're sorry!), there will be a drop in craft and Valentine's Day treats for children. Stop in anytime.

February updates

Hi, everyone!
Yes, we're open today; come on down; the parking lot is getting pretty good with all this melting!

Events for vacation week still have some spaces.
Tuesday at 3 p.m. February Field day ages 6 to 12.
Wednesday Lego Workshops - call for ages and times
Thursday at 2:30 p.m. Teddy Bear's Picnic ages 2 to 8.

Call to register at 203-385-4165. If we don't see you today, we hope to see you soon!

Snow Cancellations

Our Monday and Tuesday events will be canceled due to the snow. We're sorry to miss you all.
This includes:

- Toddlers Monday morning
- Knitting Monday afternoon
- Storytime Tuesday Morning
- Cupcake Decorating Tuesday afternoon

Of course you can guess which one Miss A is the most disappointed to miss! Please come visit us Wednesday.

Weather updates

Weekend programs - Friday's Let's Find Out and Sunday's Magical Musical Me and Chinese New Year Craft - will be held if the Library is open and staff is present. Please phone (203) 385-4165, check our website, or visit Connecticut cancellation sites for that information.

Please *do not* feel that you must attend a Library program in inclement weather. Make the best decision for your family and location. We'll see you soon!

Let's Find Out Fridays

Miss Sarah tells me the first Let's Find Out Friday - this Friday at 10:30 a.m. - will have as its theme 'Dance Party.' Children ages 2 to 5 are welcome to drop in for the fun!  I'm certainly curious about this exciting first Friday activity!!