Stratford Library Offers Kids Events 2021
by Tom Holehan
Public Relations & Programming
The Stratford Library Children’s Department continues to offer stimulating programs for kids and their families. The Library is currently offering limited computer use for adults with reservations and contact-free Take Out borrowing services, online programs, grab and go program kits, Reference Chat and 24/7 online access to ebooks, audiobooks, movies and music.
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 February include Black Pride, Valentines, Pancakes, and Hats.
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. February’s Great Family Read will be Because of Winn-Dixie by Kate DiCamillo, award winning author. Because of Winn-Dixie starts off in the grocery store, where 10-year-old India Opal Buloni meets and adopts an adventurous dog, naming him Winn-Dixie after the grocery store. India’s new dog helps her acclimate to her new home in Naomi, Florida.
Register for this program at stratfordlibrary.org on the Events page, and the Library will provide you with discussion questions, information, and fun activities related to the book that families can use to create an engaging literacy experience.
School Support Tips
The Stratford 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 “Books in Spanish” and “STEM Resources.”
Online, Live Storytimes
The Stratford Library offers winter storytimes via Zoom during the month of February. 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 10:00 am for ages 0 to 1. Storytime will not meet Feb. 15. To register, visit the website at stratfordlibrary.org, then choose Events.
Phonics & Alphabet Parade
Stratford Library Grab ‘n’ go kits will be available throughout February 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
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.
Coding Club
Stratford Library’s Coding Club meets online Monday, February 8 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.
Tuesday Craft Nights
The Stratford Library Children’s Department offers online crafting with grab ‘n’ go kits on Tuesday nights this winter. Ages 7 to 12 meets February 9 at 7 pm on Zoom for a “Friendship Kit” craft. Ages 3 to 6 meets February 16 at 6:30 pm on Zoom to celebrate President’s Day with a “Finger Print Cherry Tree” craft and storytime. To register, visit the website at stratfordlibrary.org, then choose Events. March’s crafting projects will be listed on the Library’s Events calendar.
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 kit will include Library books, a craft and/or an extension activity. Library books will be chosen by the child’s age. The Book Scientists kits for February are Art and World Stories, with a special focus on Black History Month. 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
Draw with Josie
The Stratford Library’s volunteers Josie, Maggie, and Natalie invite children ages 6 to 12 to an online drawing class. February’s class meets Wednesday, February 17 at 4 pm. Learn to draw Dory and Nemo from “Finding Nemo.” Children should bring a pencil, eraser, and paper to the Zoom. To register, visit the website at stratfordlibrary.org, then choose Events.
Astronomy Club – Mars Rover Landing Watch Party
Spend the afternoon on Mars! Stratford Library’s Astronomy Club meets online on Thursday, February 18 at 3:30 pm for ages 7 to 12. We will be live watching NASA’s Mars Rover “Perseverance” plummet through the Mars atmosphere to land (we hope) safely on the red planet. To register for this thrilling moment in the United States’ space exploration, visit the website at stratfordlibrary.org, then choose Events.
Nutmeg Book Group
The Stratford Library’s Nutmeg Book Group will meet Monday, February 22 at 7 pm on Zoom to discuss I Love You, Michael Collins by Lauren Baratz-Logsted with children grades 4 to 6. This Nutmeg Award nominee is set in 1969 in the days before the Apollo astronauts’ moon landing. Ten-year-old Mamie chooses to write to astronaut Michael Collins for her school project, chronicling her increasing isolation and family problems. 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.
For more information about Library programs and services for children, call 203.385.4165 or visit stratfordlibrary.org/kids.
