January Adult Activities

January Adult Activities

January Adult Activities

Creative Writing Club

Join our Creative Writers Club (Ages 18+) on Wednesdays, January 3 & 17 at 6:00 PM in the Community Room! Share your literary gems with fellow storytelling enthusiasts and bond over love for the written word.

Closed for Martin Luther King Jr. Day

The Library will be closed Monday, January 15 for Martin Luther King Jr. Day. No items are due when the Library is closed. Thank you!

Adult Makers – Cooking the Books

Calling all culinary enthusiasts! Join us for ‘Cooking the Books’ with Adult Makers on Friday, January 19 at 7:00 PM in the Community Room. Ages 18 and up, let’s dive into B. Dylan Hollis’s Baking Yesteryear cookbook — claim a recipe at the front desk, whip it up at home, and bring a sample to share. Let’s savor the flavors, discuss kitchen triumphs, and maybe leave a few culinary adventures in the past. It’s a feast for foodies and book lovers alike!

Open Recital

Share your musical prowess at our Open Recital! Join us on January 22 at 6:30 PM in the Community Room. All ages and musical talents are welcome! Whether you’re a seasoned performer or just starting out, showcase your skills in a supportive environment. Let’s make beautiful music together!

Take A Break Book Club

Join our Take A Break Book Club—a haven for the 18 and up crowd! On Thursday, January 25 at 6:30 PM in the Community Room, we’re diving into the wisdom of Michael Schur’s How To Be Perfect: The Correct Answer to Every Moral Question. Copies will be available for check out at the circulation desk. Let’s unwind, discuss, and find answers together. Because sometimes, the perfect break is a perfect book!

September Adult Events

Take a Break Book ClubTake a Break and join our adult book club on Sept. 21 at 6:30 PM! Ages 18+ will meet in the Community Room to discuss Jane Austen’s classic, Sense and Sensibility. Adult MakersFriday, September 15 is Adult Makers! We will be making noodles from...

September Kids & Tween Events

Story TimeJoin Miss Gina, Grace, and Marybeth for Preschool Story Time, Toddler Time, and Book Babies! For September, we will have fun with the letter F and farm animals! Preschool Story Time is for ages 2-5 and meets Tuesdays at 10:30 AM and 6:30 PM or Wednesdays at...

September Teen Events

Hauntings - Library Teen Virtual ConventionTeens are invited to join the annual Library Teen Virtual Convention! Inspired by all our favorite ghost stories, spooky folklore, and mysterious cryptids, this year's theme is HAUNTINGS! The Convention is hosted on Discord...

July Teen Activities

CHESS AND GAME CLUB Learn the art of chess and other games from the master of fun and strategy, Nick Allison. Game supplies will be provided. Mondays from 4:30-5:30 PM in the Community Room. For Ages 9-18TEEN ACTION COUNCIL Teen Action Council gathers to discuss plans...

July Adult Activities

INDEPENDENCE DAY CLOSURE The Library will be closed Tuesday, July 4th in observance of Independence Day. No items will be due but the book drop will remain open. Thank you! "ALL TOGETHER NOW" BLOCK PARTY This is the Block Party everyone will be talking about this...

July Kid & Tween Activities

CHESS AND GAME CLUB Learn the art of chess and other games from the master of fun and strategy, Nick Allison. Game supplies will be provided. Every Monday from 4:30-5:30 P.M. in the Community Room For ages 9-184TH OF JULY CLOSURE The Library will be closed Tuesday,...

June Kids and Tween Activities

SPECIAL STORY TIME Join us for a special story time with local author Ruth Nielson! She is the author and illustrator of I Am Remarkable: A Journey of Self-Discovery. Ruth will lead our little ones in a yoga session, so please bring a towel or mat for your child to...

June Adult Activities

CREATIVE WRITING CLUB Share your writing with other storytelling enthusiasts or join to make friends! Join the Creative Writing Club for ages 18+. We will share your favorite piece of writing and talk about why writing is our passion. Wednesdays, June 14 & 28 at...

Library Closed for Labor Day

The library will be closed Saturday September 3rd and Monday September 5th for Labor Day. No items will be due and the book drop will remain open. Thank you!

August Library Activities

TEEN ACTION COUNCILWednesday, August 3rd. 4-5:30pm.  For ages 12-18. Come and have a say in what activities Teens do at the Library and meet new friends. NO PROGRAMS IN AUGUST To reset from Summer Reading and to accomodate our new infrastruture updates, there will be...

January Teen Activities

January Teen Activities

January Teen Activities

Idaho Teen Reading Challenge

Are you a bookworm between the ages of 12-18 looking for an exciting reading challenge? Look no further! Get ready to dive into an adventure from October 2023 to April 2024 with the Idaho Teen Reading Challenge, designed to engage readers in discovering new books and genres while offering the chance to win prizes!

Pick a book from each of the following categories:

  • Read Before You Stream
  • Retelling of a Classic
  • Sci-Fi/Fantasy
  • YRCA Nominee
  • Found while Browsing
  • Judge a Book by its Cover
  • One-Word Title
  • True Story
  • Your Favorite Genre
  • Free Choice!

Log your reading using the Beanstack app, or pick up a paper tracking sheet from the circulation desk or Madison Jr. High Library. Each time you read a book from one of the categories, come to the Library’s Children’s Reference Desk for a prize! What are you waiting for? Get reading!

Teen Action Council

Have a say in what goes on at the Library for teens! Ages 12-18 are welcome to join us Wednesday, Jan. 3 at 4 PM in the Community Room to voice their input.

Teen Crafts

Calling all creative teens! Join us for Teen Crafts in the Community Room on Thursdays this January. On January 4, create a masterpiece with black glue art, and on January 18, shrink it down with some awesome Shrinky-Dinks! Ages 12-18 are invited to unleash their artistic talents from 4:30-5:30 PM in the Community Room

Chess & Game Club + Pirate Dice Tournament

Join the Chess & Game Club for ages 9-18 Mondays at 4:30 PM in the Community Room! On January 8 and 22, engage in strategic battles and game adventures. But mark your calendars for January 29 – it’s time to set sail for a Pirate Dice Tournament! Dress like a pirate, talk like a pirate, and feast on pirate snacks as you compete for the ultimate booty in a swashbuckling afternoon of fun!

Young League of Writers

Calling all aspiring wordsmiths! Join the Young League of Writers on Wednesday, January 10, at 4 PM in the Community Room. Ages 12-18 are invited for an inspiring session where we’ll learn how to critique each other’s work and share tips on the essential mantra of “just keep writing.”

Anime Club

Anime lovers ages 12-18, come together to watch Tonari no Seki-kun: The Master of Killing Time, discuss manga, and play thrilling games. Join us for Teen Anime Club on Thursdays, January 11 and 25 at 4:30 PM in the Community Room. Don’t miss the chance to connect with fellow fans and make Thursday your new favorite day!

Dungeons & Dragons

Calling all young adventurers! Join us for an epic journey at Teen Dungeons & Dragons on Fridays, January 12 & 26 at 3:30 PM in the Community Room. Whether you’re a seasoned dungeon crawler or a newbie explorer, we welcome ages 12-18 to embark on a quest of imagination and fun. On January 12, we will learn how to create your own character, participate in a campaign, and discover the beginnings of becoming a Dungeon Master. Make sure you sign up for our Teen Discord Server where we’ve posted preparation details. With a character created, use your new skills in a live campaign on January 26. Don’t miss out on this magical adventure!

Teen Anime Club logo

LEGO Club

Do you love LEGOs? Join other kids who love the ever popular bricks at the Library’s LEGO Club! Meet us in the Community Room on Tuesday, Jan. 16 at 4:00 PM to craft a Jurassic masterpiece with LEGO dinos.

For ages 6-18. Those under 12 should be accompanied by an adult.

Cook With A Book

Whip up a literary feast at Teen Cook With a Book! Join us on January 17 at 4:30 PM in the Community Room Kitchen as we make German apple strudel and delve into Markus Zusak’s The Book Thief. Ages 12-18, grab a copy of the book at the circulation desk and let’s blend the flavors of literature and culinary creativity!

Open Recital

Share your musical prowess at our Open Recital! Join us on January 22 at 6:30 PM in the Community Room. All ages and musical talents are welcome! Whether you’re a seasoned performer or just starting out, showcase your skills in a supportive environment. Let’s make beautiful music together!

Teen Anime Club logo

Closed for Martin Luther King Jr. Day

The Library will be closed Monday, January 15 for Martin Luther King Jr. Day. No items are due when the Library is closed. Thank you!

September Adult Events

Take a Break Book ClubTake a Break and join our adult book club on Sept. 21 at 6:30 PM! Ages 18+ will meet in the Community Room to discuss Jane Austen’s classic, Sense and Sensibility. Adult MakersFriday, September 15 is Adult Makers! We will be making noodles from...

September Kids & Tween Events

Story TimeJoin Miss Gina, Grace, and Marybeth for Preschool Story Time, Toddler Time, and Book Babies! For September, we will have fun with the letter F and farm animals! Preschool Story Time is for ages 2-5 and meets Tuesdays at 10:30 AM and 6:30 PM or Wednesdays at...

September Teen Events

Hauntings - Library Teen Virtual ConventionTeens are invited to join the annual Library Teen Virtual Convention! Inspired by all our favorite ghost stories, spooky folklore, and mysterious cryptids, this year's theme is HAUNTINGS! The Convention is hosted on Discord...

July Teen Activities

CHESS AND GAME CLUB Learn the art of chess and other games from the master of fun and strategy, Nick Allison. Game supplies will be provided. Mondays from 4:30-5:30 PM in the Community Room. For Ages 9-18TEEN ACTION COUNCIL Teen Action Council gathers to discuss plans...

July Adult Activities

INDEPENDENCE DAY CLOSURE The Library will be closed Tuesday, July 4th in observance of Independence Day. No items will be due but the book drop will remain open. Thank you! "ALL TOGETHER NOW" BLOCK PARTY This is the Block Party everyone will be talking about this...

July Kid & Tween Activities

CHESS AND GAME CLUB Learn the art of chess and other games from the master of fun and strategy, Nick Allison. Game supplies will be provided. Every Monday from 4:30-5:30 P.M. in the Community Room For ages 9-184TH OF JULY CLOSURE The Library will be closed Tuesday,...

June Kids and Tween Activities

SPECIAL STORY TIME Join us for a special story time with local author Ruth Nielson! She is the author and illustrator of I Am Remarkable: A Journey of Self-Discovery. Ruth will lead our little ones in a yoga session, so please bring a towel or mat for your child to...

June Adult Activities

CREATIVE WRITING CLUB Share your writing with other storytelling enthusiasts or join to make friends! Join the Creative Writing Club for ages 18+. We will share your favorite piece of writing and talk about why writing is our passion. Wednesdays, June 14 & 28 at...

Library Closed for Labor Day

The library will be closed Saturday September 3rd and Monday September 5th for Labor Day. No items will be due and the book drop will remain open. Thank you!

August Library Activities

TEEN ACTION COUNCILWednesday, August 3rd. 4-5:30pm.  For ages 12-18. Come and have a say in what activities Teens do at the Library and meet new friends. NO PROGRAMS IN AUGUST To reset from Summer Reading and to accomodate our new infrastruture updates, there will be...

Holiday Closures 2023

Holiday Closures 2023

Holiday Closures 2023

The Library will be closed

Saturday – Tuesday, Dec. 23 – 26 for Christmas

& Saturday – Monday, Dec. 30 – Jan. 1 for the New Year
 
No items are due when the Library is closed. Thank You! Have a safe and happy holidays!

September Adult Events

Take a Break Book ClubTake a Break and join our adult book club on Sept. 21 at 6:30 PM! Ages 18+ will meet in the Community Room to discuss Jane Austen’s classic, Sense and Sensibility. Adult MakersFriday, September 15 is Adult Makers! We will be making noodles from...

September Kids & Tween Events

Story TimeJoin Miss Gina, Grace, and Marybeth for Preschool Story Time, Toddler Time, and Book Babies! For September, we will have fun with the letter F and farm animals! Preschool Story Time is for ages 2-5 and meets Tuesdays at 10:30 AM and 6:30 PM or Wednesdays at...

September Teen Events

Hauntings - Library Teen Virtual ConventionTeens are invited to join the annual Library Teen Virtual Convention! Inspired by all our favorite ghost stories, spooky folklore, and mysterious cryptids, this year's theme is HAUNTINGS! The Convention is hosted on Discord...

July Teen Activities

CHESS AND GAME CLUB Learn the art of chess and other games from the master of fun and strategy, Nick Allison. Game supplies will be provided. Mondays from 4:30-5:30 PM in the Community Room. For Ages 9-18TEEN ACTION COUNCIL Teen Action Council gathers to discuss plans...

July Adult Activities

INDEPENDENCE DAY CLOSURE The Library will be closed Tuesday, July 4th in observance of Independence Day. No items will be due but the book drop will remain open. Thank you! "ALL TOGETHER NOW" BLOCK PARTY This is the Block Party everyone will be talking about this...

July Kid & Tween Activities

CHESS AND GAME CLUB Learn the art of chess and other games from the master of fun and strategy, Nick Allison. Game supplies will be provided. Every Monday from 4:30-5:30 P.M. in the Community Room For ages 9-184TH OF JULY CLOSURE The Library will be closed Tuesday,...

June Kids and Tween Activities

SPECIAL STORY TIME Join us for a special story time with local author Ruth Nielson! She is the author and illustrator of I Am Remarkable: A Journey of Self-Discovery. Ruth will lead our little ones in a yoga session, so please bring a towel or mat for your child to...

June Adult Activities

CREATIVE WRITING CLUB Share your writing with other storytelling enthusiasts or join to make friends! Join the Creative Writing Club for ages 18+. We will share your favorite piece of writing and talk about why writing is our passion. Wednesdays, June 14 & 28 at...

Library Closed for Labor Day

The library will be closed Saturday September 3rd and Monday September 5th for Labor Day. No items will be due and the book drop will remain open. Thank you!

August Library Activities

TEEN ACTION COUNCILWednesday, August 3rd. 4-5:30pm.  For ages 12-18. Come and have a say in what activities Teens do at the Library and meet new friends. NO PROGRAMS IN AUGUST To reset from Summer Reading and to accomodate our new infrastruture updates, there will be...

Storytime: Something NEW, Just for YOU! in November

Storytime: Something NEW, Just for YOU! in November

Storytime: Something NEW, Just for YOU! in November

For the last storytime of each month, we will present books that are “new” to our library, and perhaps new to you! Here are four of our favorites with an activity to go with each one of them. Enjoy!

Join us Tuesdays, and Wednesdays at 10:30 a.m. or Tuesdays at 6:30 p.m. in the Community Room.

Ages 2-5

Sing, Talk, Read, Write, Play

Tip

Pretending fosters your child’s imagination. If you sing “I’m a Little Teapot” at home and you have a teapot, show it to your child and ask, “Where is the handle?” “Where is the spout?” Pretend to drink a cup of tea together and discuss what it tastes like.

Activity

If you have a teapot, show it to your child and describe how it looks. Then sing the song. 
I’m a little teapot short and stout. (Stand up and bend knees.)
Here is my handle, here is my spout. (Hand on one hip; hold other hand out to side.)
When I get all steamed up, hear me shout, (Wiggle.)
“Just tip me over and pour me out.” (Lean in the direction of your spout.)

Books Presented

The Runaway Pea by Kjartan Poskitt

The Runaway Pea by Kjartan Poskitt

The Runaway Pea wants an amazing adventure. But will he survive the dangers of the dog bowl, the mousetrap, and the toaster’s fiery depths? Or will he meet his unhaPEA end?

Molly, Olive and Dexter Play Hide-and-Seek by Catherine Rayner

Molly, Olive and Dexter Play Hide-and-Seek by Catherine Rayner

Meet Molly the hare, Olive the owl, and Dexter the fox, three friends who live near the oak tree at the edge of the meadow. Hide-and-seek is Molly’s favorite game, but things aren’t going her way. For starters, Olive and Dexter don’t seem to know the rules. And when Molly shows her friends how to play properly, they hide a little too well. Set in a delicately rendered pastoral world of soft color and shimmering line, here is a picture book that tackles outsize toddler emotions with sensitivity and whimsy. Make way for the singular Molly, Olive, and Dexter–ready or not, here they come!

A Creature Was Stirring by Heather S. Pierzynski

A Creature Was Stirring by Heather S. Pierczynski

A young mouse refuses to go to sleep. “Go to bed,” whispers the cat. “It’s the night before Christmas.” But, despite the unseen narrator’s assertion that “not a creature was stirring,” wide-eyed, big-eared Mouse is far too exuberant to snooze. He proceeds to ride a tricycle around the tree, crack nuts, and nibble cookies. Tiny vignettes depicting his Yuletide antics are followed by a full-page spread in which Mouse rushes out onto a snow-filled street with a full marching band. As he makes merry, everyone–from the house to the city to the whole world–exhorts him to “GO TO BED.” So he does…but not for long. He just can’t sleep! Hopping aboard the Christmas train, he crashes into Santa himself! Can Santa convince our hero to finally head to bed? In this irresistible holiday tale inspired by The Night Before Christmas, the author and illustrator reveal why only a mouse is singled out within the original holiday poem by Clement Clarke Moore.

If You Laugh, I'm Starting This Book Over by Chris Harris

If You Laugh, I'm Starting This Book Over by Chris Harris

Readers are challenged not to laugh in a series of increasingly hilarious prompts and jokes that lead to a serious message about the pleasures of laughter

Songs, Rhymes, and Fingerplays

Two Little Green Peas

Two little green peas sleeping in a pod,
One named Tess and the other named Todd.
Fall asleep Tess, fall asleep Todd
Wake up Tess, wake up Todd!

Two little green peas sitting in a pod,
One named Tess and the other named Todd.
Run away Tess, run away Todd
Come back Tess, come back Todd!

Two little green peas planted in a dirt clod,
One named Tess and the other named Todd.
Shooting roots Tess, shooting roots Todd
Grow up Tess, grow up Todd!

Olive and Dexter, Where Can You Be?

Olive and Dexter, where can you be?
Are you behind the _________ tree?
5, 4, 3, 2… 1!
Ready or not, here we come!

Mason the Mouse

I’m Mason the Mouse and my ears flip and flap.
I can change my color when I hear a loud CLAP!

Shake My Sillies Out

I’ve gotta shake, shake, shake my sillies out
Shake, shake, shake my sillies out
Shake, shake, shake my sillies out
And wiggle my waggles away

I’ve gotta clap, clap, clap my crazies out
Clap, clap, clap my crazies out
Clap, clap, clap my crazies out
And wiggle my waggles away

I’ve gotta jump, jump, jump my jiggles out
Jump, jump, jump my jiggles out
Jump, jump, jump my jiggles out
And wiggle my waggles away

I’ve gotta yawn, yawn, yawn my sleepies out
Yawn, yawn, yawn my sleepies out
Yawn, yawn, yawn my sleepies out
And wiggle my waggles away

I’ve gotta shake, shake, shake my sillies out
Shake, shake, shake my sillies out
Shake, shake, shake my sillies out
And wiggle my waggles away
And wiggle my waggles away

Crafts and Activities

Something New Just for You coloring page featuring peas

Something New Just For You

Peas in a pod craft

Peas in a Pod

Make a peapod full of peas

More Story Times

Storytime: C is for Confidence

Building confidence in your child at a young age is crucial because it shapes how they see themselves and how they interact with the world. When a child learns confidence, they can see mistakes as learning opportunities rather than a reason to give up. As you read...

Storytime: C is for Counting

One, two, three, count with me. It’s as easy as can be! Teaching numbers at an early age can be great fun! Here are some effective ways to introduce numbers to your child: Everyday Activities Count objects around the house (toys, fruits, steps). Count fingers and toes...

Storytime: C is for Cupcake

Pat-a-cake, pat-a-cake, baker’s man, bake me a cupcake as fast as you can! And don’t forget the sprinkles! For this Storytime, we had fun with the letter “C,” cupcakes, and cats. So, spend some time in the kitchen with your child baking some cupcakes and perhaps, read...

FEBRUARY Book Babies + Toddlers: “C” is for Counting

One, two, three, count with me. It’s as easy as can be! Teaching numbers at an early age can be great fun! Here are some fun ways to introduce numbers to your infant or toddler: 👶 0-1 Year (Introduction to Numbers) Talk & Count: Count fingers, toes, and everyday...

Storytime: S is for Snake

Happy Lunar New Year! Did you know that dates of Lunar New Year will change each year with the moons, phases, and it is the most celebrated holiday in many Asian cultures. It’s a time for family gatherings, traditional foods, festivals, red envelopes filled with...

JANUARY Book Babies + Toddlers: S is for Soup

Making and eating soup can be a sensory explosion for you and your child, especially when you make it together. Look for ingredients with a variety of colors, textures, and scents, then talk about where they came from, or count the pieces you’ve cut. Here are some...

Programs for Kids ‘n’ Tweens

Old School PoetryThis February, let love take center stage! Stop by our special collections area to type out a heartfelt poem on our vintage typewriter—whether it’s for a dear friend or your favorite pizza. Drop your masterpiece into the submission box nearby if you'd...

Storytime: S is for Simon Says

Let’s play a game! Not only are they fun, but games help children develop vital skills like problem solving, creativity, and memory. They can also boost physical health, develop social skills, and increase a child’s overall sense of well-being. Here are some indoor...

Storytime: S is for Sharks

Did you know that sharks have been around for over 400 million years? They are older than the dinosaurs! They can lose more that 30,000 teeth in their lifetime, and their babies are called pups. A group of sharks is called a shiver, and a person is more likely to die...

Storytime: S is for Soup

Soup is always a good idea! Not only is it delicious and comforting on a cold, chilly day, but making it together with your child becomes a recipe for learning and development experiences. These can include nutritional awareness, healthy eating habits, enhanced motor...

Christmas Extravaganza!

Christmas Extravaganza!

Christmas Extravaganza!

Christmas is not just a day, it’s a feeling! It’s the joy that fills our hearts, the sparkle in our eyes, and the warmth we share with our family and friends. This year, everyone is invited to Madison Library District’s 14th Annual Christmas Extravaganza, a Christmas Morning-themed gathering to celebrate the joyous season.

Festive Pajama Party

Love the idea of staying in your cozy pajamas all day? Well, we do too! That’s why this year’s Extravaganza is a Christmas Morning-themed pajama party. So, put on your festive PJ’s, grab a treat, and join us for an evening of stories and crafts. It’s going to be a cozy and fun evening filled with laughter and cheer for the whole family.

Santa’s Visit

And what’s a Christmas celebration without Santa Claus? Get ready for a special visit from Santa himself. Santa’s visits will start at 4:30 PM. Make sure you’re there to greet him and share your Christmas wishes!

When and Where?

So, mark your calendars! Our Christmas Extravaganza is happening on Monday, December 4, in the Community Room from 5-7 PM. We can’t wait to share the Christmas cheer with you all!

September Adult Events

Take a Break Book ClubTake a Break and join our adult book club on Sept. 21 at 6:30 PM! Ages 18+ will meet in the Community Room to discuss Jane Austen’s classic, Sense and Sensibility. Adult MakersFriday, September 15 is Adult Makers! We will be making noodles from...

September Kids & Tween Events

Story TimeJoin Miss Gina, Grace, and Marybeth for Preschool Story Time, Toddler Time, and Book Babies! For September, we will have fun with the letter F and farm animals! Preschool Story Time is for ages 2-5 and meets Tuesdays at 10:30 AM and 6:30 PM or Wednesdays at...

September Teen Events

Hauntings - Library Teen Virtual ConventionTeens are invited to join the annual Library Teen Virtual Convention! Inspired by all our favorite ghost stories, spooky folklore, and mysterious cryptids, this year's theme is HAUNTINGS! The Convention is hosted on Discord...

July Teen Activities

CHESS AND GAME CLUB Learn the art of chess and other games from the master of fun and strategy, Nick Allison. Game supplies will be provided. Mondays from 4:30-5:30 PM in the Community Room. For Ages 9-18TEEN ACTION COUNCIL Teen Action Council gathers to discuss plans...

July Adult Activities

INDEPENDENCE DAY CLOSURE The Library will be closed Tuesday, July 4th in observance of Independence Day. No items will be due but the book drop will remain open. Thank you! "ALL TOGETHER NOW" BLOCK PARTY This is the Block Party everyone will be talking about this...

July Kid & Tween Activities

CHESS AND GAME CLUB Learn the art of chess and other games from the master of fun and strategy, Nick Allison. Game supplies will be provided. Every Monday from 4:30-5:30 P.M. in the Community Room For ages 9-184TH OF JULY CLOSURE The Library will be closed Tuesday,...

June Kids and Tween Activities

SPECIAL STORY TIME Join us for a special story time with local author Ruth Nielson! She is the author and illustrator of I Am Remarkable: A Journey of Self-Discovery. Ruth will lead our little ones in a yoga session, so please bring a towel or mat for your child to...

June Adult Activities

CREATIVE WRITING CLUB Share your writing with other storytelling enthusiasts or join to make friends! Join the Creative Writing Club for ages 18+. We will share your favorite piece of writing and talk about why writing is our passion. Wednesdays, June 14 & 28 at...

Library Closed for Labor Day

The library will be closed Saturday September 3rd and Monday September 5th for Labor Day. No items will be due and the book drop will remain open. Thank you!

August Library Activities

TEEN ACTION COUNCILWednesday, August 3rd. 4-5:30pm.  For ages 12-18. Come and have a say in what activities Teens do at the Library and meet new friends. NO PROGRAMS IN AUGUST To reset from Summer Reading and to accomodate our new infrastruture updates, there will be...

Storytime: U is for Under

Storytime: U is for Under

Storytime: U is for Under

Can you think of some words that fit with the word, UNDER? Perhaps… underground, under the sea, under the umbrella, under the bed, and even underwear! Directional words are a great learning tool for children, especially when they begin writing their letters and words. They help your child to see things like… lowercase j goes “under” or below the line. So, try talking with directional words as your child discovers where things lie in relation to each other in their world.

Join us Tuesdays, and Wednesdays at 10:30 a.m. or Tuesdays at 6:30 p.m. in the Community Room.

Ages 2-5

Sing, Talk, Read, Write, Play

Tip

Phonological awareness is a set of critical pre-reading skills: the ability to hear, identify, and play with the sounds in spoken language — including rhymes, syllables, and phonemes. Children with strong phonological awareness skills are ready to become readers.– www.readingrockets.org

Activity

Sing “Five Little Monsters” with your child and stop on the last word of each phrase. Help him to see how many words can end with the same sound, or rhyme with each other, such as “head” and “bed.” Then play the rhyming game. Pick a word, and find new words or even made up words that rhyme with the first.

Books Presented

Over, Bear! Under, Where? by Julie Hendlund

Over, Bear! Under, Where? by Julie Hendlund

Two animal friends at a park encounter a seemingly scary creature, but not everything is as it seems, and wordplay adds to the fun. Introduces the concept of compound words and homophones, and incorporates fun puns throughout.
Wombat Underground: A Wildfire Survival Story by Sarah L. Thomson

Wombat Underground: A Wildfire Survival Story by Sarah L. Thomson

During the fire season in Australia, a wombat allows its underground shelter to become a place of refuge for other vulnerable animals in need. Discusses Australia’s devastating 2019-2020 fire season, in which many animals lost their lives or their habitats.
Dear Big, Mean, Ugly Monster by Ruth Berglin

Dear Big, Mean, Ugly Monster by Ruth Berglin

Joe is afraid of the monster that lives under his bed until they exchange letters and learn surprising things about one another.
My Under the Sea Pop-Up Book by Gil Davies

My Under the Sea Pop-Up Book by Gil Davies

Friendly sea creature pop-ups, humorous rhyming text, fun illustrations.

Songs, Rhymes, and Fingerplays

Five Little Monsters

Five little monsters laying under the bed.
One stubbed her toe and bumped her head.
“It’s too crowded!” the _________ one said.
So, she took her blanket and she left the bed… room!

Four… three… Two… 

One little monster laying under the bed,
Stretched up tall and turned his head.
“Finally alone,” this last one said.
So, he fell asleep laying under the bed.

Wombat, Wombat

Wombat, wombat underground.
In which of these caves will he be found?

Popcorn Kernels

Popcorn Kernels (wave scarves overhead)
In the pot (make their scarves ‘disappear’ by bunching them up in their fists)
Shake them shake them shake them (shake)
’til they POP (Toss scarves up into the air)

Credit: Jbrary

Slippery Fish

Slippery fish, slippery fish, sliding through the water,
Slippery fish, slippery fish, Gulp, Gulp, Gulp!
Oh, no! It’s been eaten by an …

Octopus, octopus, squiggling in the water
Octopus, octopus, Gulp, Gulp, Gulp!
Oh, no! It’s been eaten by a …

Tuna fish, tuna fish, flashing in the water,
Tuna fish, tuna fish, Gulp, Gulp, Gulp!
Oh, no! It’s been eaten by a …

Great white shark, great white shark, lurking in the water,
Great white shark, great white shark, Gulp, Gulp, Gulp!
Oh, no! It’s been eaten by a …

Humongous whale, humongous whale, spouting in the water,
Humongous whale, humongous whale,
Gulp! … Gulp! … Gulp! … BURP!
(Cover your mouth.) Excuse me!

Credit: Amy Liz

Crafts and Activities

Coloring page with the letter o and an owl.

U is for Under

Baby owl craft for kids.

Underground Craft

Make a fun groundhog that pops up from underground.

Additional Books

The Tide Pool Waits by Candace Fleming

The Tide Pool Waits by Candace Fleming

Twice a day when the tide goes out, an astonishing world is revealed in the tide pools that form along the Pacific Coast. Some of the creatures that live here look like stone. Others look like plants. Some move so slowly it’s hard to tell if they’re moving at all, while others are so fast you’re not sure you really saw them. The biggest animals in the pool are smaller than your hand, while the smallest can’t be seen at all without a microscope. During low tide, all these creatures – big, small, fast, slow – are exposed to air and the sun’s drying heat. And so they have developed ways to survive the wait until the ocean’s return.
Jitterbug Jam by Barbara Jean Hicks

Jitterbug Jam by Barbara Jean Hicks

Grandpa Boo-Dad not only believes that Bobo has seen a pink-skinned boy with orange fur on his head hiding under the bed, he knows exactly how a little monster can scare off such a horrible creature.
Wombat Said Come In by Carmen Agra Deedy

Wombat Said Come In by Carmen Agra Deedy

Wombat opens his burrow to five animal friends–Wallaby, Kookaburra, Platypus, Koala, and Sugar Glider–who are seeking shelter from the Australian bushfires raging above.
Under Your Feet by Jacqueline L. Stroud

Under Your Feet by Jacqueline L. Stroud

Down where worms wriggle and microbes squirm, there’s a whole world waiting to be discovered… Under Your Feet delves beneath the Earth’s surface and explores the diverse wonders hidden there. Encounter creatures of the deep and marvel at the mind-boggling size of the humongous fungus–the biggest organism in the world. Learn how one handful of ordinary soil contains more organisms than there are people on Earth, and carry out experiments using dirt from your own back garden. Under Your Feet offers you the opportunity to expand your knowledge of the natural world and soil-dwelling creatures big and small. Bursting with colorful illustrations and photography, this is the perfect book for budding young plant experts, animal fanatics, and geologists, and anyone who is curious about the ground we walk on.

More Story Times

Storytime: C is for Confidence

Building confidence in your child at a young age is crucial because it shapes how they see themselves and how they interact with the world. When a child learns confidence, they can see mistakes as learning opportunities rather than a reason to give up. As you read...

Storytime: C is for Counting

One, two, three, count with me. It’s as easy as can be! Teaching numbers at an early age can be great fun! Here are some effective ways to introduce numbers to your child: Everyday Activities Count objects around the house (toys, fruits, steps). Count fingers and toes...

Storytime: C is for Cupcake

Pat-a-cake, pat-a-cake, baker’s man, bake me a cupcake as fast as you can! And don’t forget the sprinkles! For this Storytime, we had fun with the letter “C,” cupcakes, and cats. So, spend some time in the kitchen with your child baking some cupcakes and perhaps, read...

FEBRUARY Book Babies + Toddlers: “C” is for Counting

One, two, three, count with me. It’s as easy as can be! Teaching numbers at an early age can be great fun! Here are some fun ways to introduce numbers to your infant or toddler: 👶 0-1 Year (Introduction to Numbers) Talk & Count: Count fingers, toes, and everyday...

Storytime: S is for Snake

Happy Lunar New Year! Did you know that dates of Lunar New Year will change each year with the moons, phases, and it is the most celebrated holiday in many Asian cultures. It’s a time for family gatherings, traditional foods, festivals, red envelopes filled with...

JANUARY Book Babies + Toddlers: S is for Soup

Making and eating soup can be a sensory explosion for you and your child, especially when you make it together. Look for ingredients with a variety of colors, textures, and scents, then talk about where they came from, or count the pieces you’ve cut. Here are some...

Programs for Kids ‘n’ Tweens

Old School PoetryThis February, let love take center stage! Stop by our special collections area to type out a heartfelt poem on our vintage typewriter—whether it’s for a dear friend or your favorite pizza. Drop your masterpiece into the submission box nearby if you'd...

Storytime: S is for Simon Says

Let’s play a game! Not only are they fun, but games help children develop vital skills like problem solving, creativity, and memory. They can also boost physical health, develop social skills, and increase a child’s overall sense of well-being. Here are some indoor...

Storytime: S is for Sharks

Did you know that sharks have been around for over 400 million years? They are older than the dinosaurs! They can lose more that 30,000 teeth in their lifetime, and their babies are called pups. A group of sharks is called a shiver, and a person is more likely to die...

Storytime: S is for Soup

Soup is always a good idea! Not only is it delicious and comforting on a cold, chilly day, but making it together with your child becomes a recipe for learning and development experiences. These can include nutritional awareness, healthy eating habits, enhanced motor...

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