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

View more documents from slakids

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

View more documents from slakids.

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.

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

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

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.

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        

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.

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

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.

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.

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!

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!