Planned Children’s Events in 2021 Stratford Library
by Tom Holehan
Public Relations & Programming at the Stratford Library
The Stratford Library Children’s Department continues to offer stimulating programs for local kids and their families. Kick off the New Year by participating in one (or all) of the following events.
DIY Storytimes
The Stratford Library posts DIY Storytimes on the website at stratfordlibrary.org/kids every Saturday. Families can enjoy these online storytimes any time. Themes for January include Time, Animals Dress Up, Penguins, Opposites, and Snowy Days.
The Great Family Read
The Great Family Read, a monthly book program for children grades 3 to 6 and their families. Each month, the Library will choose a high-interest book that both kids and their grownups will enjoy. The title will be available via the Library’s Hoopla ebook multi user platform, so each person in the family will be able to borrow their own digital copy of the book at the same time. January’s Great Family Read will be “New Kid” by Jerry Craft. This graphic novel tells the story of Jordan Banks, a seventh grade artist who feels torn when his parents enroll him in an academically rigorous, but not very diverse, private school. “New Kid” is the winner of the Newbery Medal, Coretta Scott King Author Award, and Kirkus Prize for Young Readers’ Literature, and a current nominee for the Connecticut Nutmeg Book Award.
Register for this program at stratfordlibrary.org on the Events page, and the Library will provide you with discussion questions, information, and fun activities/supplies related to the book that families can use to create an engaging literacy experience.
School Support Tips
The Library posts School Support Tips every Monday to help families learn at home. Visit the website at stratfordlibrary.org/kids to see new tips each Monday. Past tips have included the Library’s “Book Care Song” and “Borrowing ebooks.”
Online, Live Storytimes
The Stratford Library offers winter storytimes via Zoom beginning January 4. Toddler Time meets Mondays at 10:30 am for ages 1 to 2. Preschool Storytime meets Tuesdays at 10:30 am for ages 3 to 5. Baby Lapsit meets Thursdays at 10:30 am for ages 0 to 1. Storytime will not meet Jan. 18. To register, visit the website at stratfordlibrary.org, then choose Events.
Draw with Josie
The Stratford Library’s volunteers Josie, Maggie, and Natalie invite children ages 6 to 12 to an online drawing class. The first class meets Monday, January 4 at 4 pm. Learn to draw Groot and Rocket from Guardians of the Galaxy. Children should bring a pencil, eraser, and paper to the Zoom. To register, visit the website at stratfordlibrary.org, then choose Events.
Read to Dogs
Children can practice their reading online with therapy dog Drago on Tuesday, January 5 at 4 pm courtesy of the Stratford Library. Therapy dogs love to listen to children read, even online! To register, visit the website at stratfordlibrary.org, then choose Events.
Phonics/Alphabet Parade
Grab ‘n’ go kits will be available throughout January for Phonics Parade (ages 5-8) and Alphabet Parade (ages 4-6) learning. Register online to reserve a kit then pick it up within two weeks. With Alphabet Parade, children will receive a simple craft relating to a letter of the alphabet and a writing practice sheet. With Phonics Parade, children can complete phonics practice and a game or activity that emphasizes sight words and letter sounds. To register, visit the website at stratfordlibrary.org, then choose Events.
Coding Club
Stratford Library’s Coding Club meets online Wednesday, January 6 at 4 pm for children ages 7 to 12. Each class has two activities: a demonstration of a Scratch coding project that children can work on independently and a group activity involving secret codes, made-up languages, or hieroglyphics. Learn to think like a coder! To register, visit the website at stratfordlibrary.org, then choose Events.
Homework Help
The Stratford Library offers Homework Help to children in grades Kindergarten to six on Thursday nights at 6:30 pm over Zoom. Children should bring homework and will work with teen tutors on assignments. This program is courtesy of the Carol Pieper Memorial Fund and the Vicki Soto Memorial Fund. To register, visit the website at stratfordlibrary.org, then choose Events
Astronomy Club
Stratford Library’s Astronomy Club meets online on Monday, January 11 at 4 pm for ages 7 to 12. January’s topic is “Constellation Challenge” – learn about the winter constellations and how to find them in Connecticut’s night sky. To register, visit the website at stratfordlibrary.org, then choose Events.
Tuesday Craft Nights
The Stratford Library Children’s Department offers online crafting with grab ‘n’ go kits on Tuesday nights this winter. The January project is “Apron Decorating.” Ages 3 to 6 meet January 12 at 6:30 pm on Zoom and ages 6-12 meet January 19 at 7 pm on Zoom. Future Tuesday crafting projects for February and March will be listed on the Library’s Events calendar. To register, visit the website at stratfordlibrary.org, then choose Events.
Book Scientists
Book Scientists is a new grab ‘n’ go learning experience offered by the Stratford Library Children’s Department. Each month, children ages 3 to 12 can sign up for different Book Scientists topics. Each Book Scientists kit will include two Library books, a craft and/or an extension activity. Library books will be chosen by the child’s age. The Book Scientists kits for January are Pets and Weather, and children can sign up for one or both. Pick up Book Scientists kits with a Library card in the Children’s Department. When you are done, return the Library books by their due date and keep everything else!
To register, visit the website at stratfordlibrary.org, then choose Events.
Learn About Dog Training
Children and families are invited to join the Stratford Library and Miss Lauren, owner of Drago and Veloce, for a short Zoom about dog training, dog shows, and tips for training a dog. Miss Lauren, owner of two Spinone Italiano dogs, will show commands her dogs have learned, what skills dogs display in shows like the American Kennel Club’s, and tips for training a dog. All kids who want to learn about dogs are welcome to attend and ask questions. To register, visit the website at stratfordlibrary.org, then choose Events.
Nutmeg Book Group
The Stratford Library’s Nutmeg Book Group will meet Monday, January 25 at 7 pm on Zoom to discuss “Front Desk” by Kelly Yang with children grades 4 to 6. Front Desk stars Mia and her family as they work at a motel with an unscrupulous owner. 10-year-old Mia manages the front desk and helps the guests while pursuing her own dreams of becoming a writer. Registered participants will receive a grab ‘n’ go kit containing a free copy of the book and other materials, courtesy of the Carol Pieper Memorial Fund. Children should read the book prior to the discussion. To register, visit the website at stratfordlibrary.org, then choose Events.
The Library is currently offering limited computer use for adults with reservations and contact-free Take Out borrowing services, online programs, take and go program kits, Reference Chat and 24/7 online access to ebooks, audiobooks, movies and music
For more information about Library programs and services for children, call 203.385.4165 or visit stratfordlibrary.org/kids.
