The Children’s Room offers many activities, services and materials for children of all ages and their parents, including books, audio books, magazines, music CDs, DVDs & Videos, Foreign Language Materials, Parent reference books and magazines, preschool toys and puzzles, games, Preschool and Toddler Story Hours, Elementary Age book groups, Craft Sessions, Family Nights, Parent Nights and many other special events.
Hello All!
Welcome spring! We’ve got quite a bit to celebrate this season at the Essex Library. We’ll start out the month of May with a special Mother’s Day art program with Bloom Art School. Participating children will read a picture book with our visiting art instructors and will then make a special keepsake to bring home to mom. Our registered story hours for 3 -5 year olds will be coming to an end, and we’ll enjoy our last classes together at the park in the great outdoors. For older children this month, we’ll rejoin for our Ancient Worlds Series in order to learn about ancient China and dragon mythology. Mad Scientist Society is back with “Under Pressure” as we attempt to test gravity with some library books and a bit of paper. We’re also looking forward to celebrating one of our favorite children’s authors together – the one and only Mo Willems. We’ll share a few stories and watch a film and then will create a favorite character of our own.
It’s that time of year again…biography reports have been assigned! Please know that over the past few months, we’ve been working on updating our collection. We’ve ordered quite a few “Who Was” series titles and have a nice selection of new books about Amelia Earhart, Leonard Bernstein, Neil Armstrong, Barack Obama, Steve Jobs and Mark Twain.
We’re also updating our teen department with very important volumes regarding Advanced Placement Exams, SATs, ACTs, College Applications and more. Please let us know if we can help you find anything specific – a little test prep support can go a long way!
Don’t forget to check out our “Book of the Week” suggestion on the Essex Library Facebook page. Tune in for a recommended selection of picture books, juvenile and young adult fiction, parenting titles, nonfiction selections and more. You’ll never go home empty handed again!
Please call to register or register online below as our programs fill up quickly.
If you have any questions please feel free to call the Library at 860 767-1560 or e-mail the Children’s Librarian.
May Events:
*Please note: All children under the age of 12 must be supervised by a parent or guardian while visiting the library.
Literacy Corner Meet & Greet Group Drop-in
Tuesdays, 10:30 a.m. – 11:30 p.m.
Ages 2-5
Drop in for some literacy based play in our program room from 10:30-11:30 a.m. We’ll put the train table out along side some puzzles and word games so that you and your children can spend some time socializing with friends. We’ll also play a book on film for you and your family to enjoy.
Children's Author Visit
Thursday, May 17th at 3:30 p.m.
Have you ever read The Dragon Can't or The Uncrossable Canyon? We know someone's loving these titles - we can't keep them on the shelf! Local author Jim Dongweck returns this month with a sneak peek at his newest Uncrossable Canyon Adventure. Last year, he talked with our young writers and families about jump starting his career as an 8 year-old (he even saved his first story to show us!) Bring your note pads and your questions - he's back! He promises to show never-before-seen pictures of his next publication and we're thrilled to be the first to view them. Click here to register.
Mad Scientist Society
Thursday, May 22nd 3:30 – 4:30 p.m.
Under Pressure!
Paper doesn’t need to go to the gym to get stronger. All you need to do is change its shape! Support a book using just one sheet. Give your paper a workout and make it tougher! Registration is almost full for this event. Please call the Children’s Department to save a spot for your child today! (860-767-1560).
Mo Willems Celebration
Thursday, May 24th from 3:30 – 4:30 p.m.
Ages 3 and up.
Let’s celebrate one of our favorite authors together with a program in his honor! We’ll be reading about some of our favorites, including Knufflebunny, Pigeon, Elephant and Piggy. Stick around for a special film which will include a story on the big screen. We’ll also make a project. Mo himself is too busy to visit, but we think that we’d make him proud! We’ll max at 15 participants for this one, please register today! Click here to register.
Family Film: Born to Be Wild
Thursday, May 31st at 3:30 p.m.
Rated G. 45 Min.
Narrated by Academy-Award winner Morgan Freeman, Born to be Wild is an inspiring story of love, dedication and the remarkable bond between humans and animals. This film documents orphaned orangutans and elephants and the extraordinary people who rescue and raise them, saving endangered species one life at a time.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
YA Activities:
To reserve a space at any of our YA activities, call the Library at 860 767-1560 or email Jessica.
Check out this month's display in the Teen Department:
Teen YA Librarians unite!
Each month, individuals in grades 6-12 work to create their own themed display with books that they have loved and think others might also. If you're interested in what they've created or would like to create a display of your own, speak with Jessica in person, by phone (767-1560) or through email.
Drop in to grab a 2010 book or audio selection from the list created for CT teens aged 12 and up.
The Junior Friends of the Essex Library help to plan and promote programs, work on community service projects, raise money for the Library, and read with younger students. The Junior Friends also meet to discuss favorite movies, music, web sites and enjoy snacks and games at the Library on a monthly basis. Check out our blog for news and updates.
Junior Friends Recruitment! (ongoing) Join today and spread the word to interested friends! If you would like to become a Junior Friend, please visit the Library for more information or check out the "Want to Join?" page on our blog.
Looking for Junior Friends Points?
You are cordially invited to help with any of our most current and ongoing projects. These include:
-
Designing a Logo
-
Creating a Newsletter
-
Community Service Events
-
Library Fundraising
-
Junior Friends Recruitment
Need a good book suggestion?
Teen reviews have been posted! Visit our new YA blog or come in to check out the new book review binder labeled "Read This!"
Included are the top 25 teen nominations for 2011, the Nutmeg List
among many 2011 awards for audio books and DVDs. Don't leave empty
handed!
Want to share a good book? Feeling especially passionate about something you’ve just read? Come in and visit. We’d love to add your video or written reviews to our selection. You never know whose life a good book will change for the better. Visit Riley Sullivan’s newest video review here.
Are you in need of community service?
Or just willing to help out?
Jessica is looking for a few volunteers to help keep the YA corner in tip-top shape! Over the past few months we've had a rise in teen readers which is wonderful! The books are flying off the displays faster than we can replace them. If you're a lover of YA literature or just want to help out, let her know. If you or anyone you know might be interested in either situation, email Jessica.
Check Out the Essex Library's New Teen Space Blog!
Need reliable (and last minute) research help? The CT Digital Library is here for you! Don't forget about Iconn.org where you can find articles and information that you can trust. If you're in need of a little project help, please visit the Children's department for an Iconn tutorial. We're always happy to help!
