Welcome to the Weston Public Library's Children, Families and Teens Newsletter!

This newsletter contains information about happenings in the Children's Library, Young Adult (YA) Space and let's you know of upcoming Children, Family, Parent and Teen programs and events. This is a bi-weekly newsletter. If you want to see all of the programs and events happening for the month, please go to our Calendar where you can view all of the events at once and register online. You can also view the program listing for Children and Families Here or Teens and Parents Here.

If you have any questions, please contact Head of Children and Young Adult Services, Alessandra Petrino at [email protected]  or 203-222-2651.

We also have other newsletters you can subscribe to, such as our Children/YA Book News, Adult Newsletter (general library newsletter), or our Adult Upcoming Book News. Choose the newsletter's you want to subscribe to and see our most recent newsletters by going to our Newsletters Page on our website.

What is Summer Library Adventures?

It's what we here at the library call our reading challenge and programming that takes place throughout the summer. This year, our program is Summer Library Adventures: Read, Do, Go! And our theme is "Read Beyond the Beaten Path." The program runs from June 15th through August 11th, but pre-registration for our summer reading challenge and all of our special performer events and weekly in-house events starts June 1.

Want to know more about Summer Library Adventures?

We have a whole webpage dedicated to it to help you learn more. Just head to Summer Library Adventures or go to our website and click on the image on our homepage.

Remember, everyone can participate in our Summer Library Adventures and if you have questions, make sure to email Alessandra at [email protected] .

Continue reading to find out how to pre-register for our Summer Reading Challenge and our Special Performer Events and Weekly In-House events. Believe us, you won't want to miss out!

Reading is for Everyone

Part 1: Read: We want to make sure that you are reading EVERYDAY. We ask that you read for at least 20 minutes every day and then log your reading for that day. Don't worry you can back-date your reading log so you don't have to enter the information daily as long as you remember what you read and when. We will be rewarding you for READING DAILY. It does not matter how many books you read as long as you are reading each and every day for at least 20 minutes.This program is separated into three different age groups: Birth-PreK, Grades K-5 and Grades 6-12.

- Option 1:  This year we are logging our reading online using BEANSTACK-Click Here to Register or Click Here for Step-by-Step Instructions on How To Register.

- Option 2: Don't want to log online? You can pick up a paper logging form at the library or PRINT a copy HERE. (Please note: some of our reading challenges will only be available through BEANSTACK).

Don't forget to begin logging your DAYS (not books, not minutes, but days) you read beginning June 15th!

Prizes

For reading daily (at least 20 minutes per day is what we suggest) and logging your reading you will be able to earn: registration and completion prizes (reading at least 50 days this summer), leveled prizes (after every 10 days of reading), raffle tickets for weekly prizes (only 1 winner per age group each week), and be entered in for a chance to win the grand prize (only 1 winner from each age group).

What are the prizes?

-Your registration prize is a bag of goodies that includes a reusable bag, pencil, bookmark and lanyard to collect pins.

-At each level you reach, you will get a badge (pin) to add onto your lanyard along with a small prize such as a tattoo, patch, bouncy ball, play-doh, coloring book, and more!

-When you read daily you get 1 virtual raffle ticket to enter in for a prize, these prizes include: sticker books, bandanas, water bottles, gift cards, Funko Pops, book lights, pens, activity kits and more.

-By registering for the program you get entered for a chance to win a grand prize. Grand prizes include: gift cards, LEGO sets, book sets, Kindles and more.

Find out specifics about prizes on our Summer Library Adventures Webpage.

What do I have to read?

We want you to enjoy reading and that means that there is no required reading. You can choose to read whatever you want as many times as you want. We just want to make sure you read everyday. Remember, we are tracking DAYS of reading, not number of books, minutes read or book titles.

But don't worry, if you are having trouble picking something out, we have options for you.

Try one of the books from our suggested reading lists (found on our Summer Library Adventures Webpage) or try one of our new Book-It Bags. Book-It Bags are bags filled with pre-selected books that fit a theme, subject, or genre. The bags have between 3-10 books with this theme and you can check out the entire bag if you don't know what you want and want to try something new!

Wondering what to DO this summer?

Part 2: Do. Do activities at home with our take-and-make kits (weekly themes). Each kit has 1 project and instructions inside the bag. These bags are first come/first serve and are put out on Mondays each week. If you want to do these craft-at-home activities, make sure to grab a kit each week before they are all gone.

What are the Weekly Themes and Craft Kits this year?

Week 6 Theme: Superheroes

-Craft: Superhero Straw Shooters

-Craft available July 25-30

Week 7 Theme: Be Curious About Your Community

-Craft: Make a Weston Journal

-Craft available August 1-6

Week 8 Theme: Camp Out

-Craft: Popsicle Stick Tent

-Craft available August 8-13

Where to GO this Summer? 

For those that have chosen to participate in PART 3: GO, we have a simple answer to the question of "where should I GO this Summer," to the library of course!

Join us at the Weston Public Library In-Person this summer for special performers and weekly events! You won't want to miss out on all this fun!

Registration for programs and special events starts on June 1. You can see all the events on our Calendar Here, Download our Summer Library Adventures Booklet or take a look at the line up below.

Special Performer Events

Cooks & Books Children’s Literature Cooking with Sticky Fingers Cooking
Multiple Dates. Virtual on ZOOM
All ages with parent assistance.

Registration required separately for each session.
Join us for cooking lessons inspired by our favorite books.

-8/8 @ 4:00 PM: The Lightning Thief Register Here

Pet Education with the Connecticut Humane Society

Multiple Dates and Times.
Ages vary by program.

Registration required separately for each session. Learn more about your pets, animal safety and how you can help. More information about each program is available on our website.

-7/25 @ 4:00 PM, ages 10-18: Pet Professionals Register Here.

-8/1 @ 10:00 AM, all ages: Paws & Pages Storytime Register Here.

-8/3 @ 4:00 PM, ages 5-12: Safety PAWtrol Register Here.

Chibi-Manga Cartoon Fun: Amazing Superheroes

Wednesday, July 27 @ 4:00 PM.

Ages 5-12.
Registration required Here.

Join Cartoonist Debi Hamuka-Falkenham in creating Amazing Chibi Superheroes. Kids have fun as they work on Chibi and Manga cartoon basics such as drawing faces, expressions, and how to create different action poses with lots of movement and expression. They will also develop their own unique cartoon characters and learn how to develop stories around their creations.

Circle K Animal Farm Visit
Tuesday, August 9 from 3:00-5:00 PM.
All ages. Weather Permitting.
Registration required Here.

Come and learn about farm animals from Circle K Animal Farm. Animals will be on premises for you to meet and take pictures with as well. You may already know some of Circle K's animals as they provide the Hartford Yard Goats with their Goats!

End of Summer Party

Thursday, August 11 from 5:00-7:00 PM.

All Ages.
Registration required Here.

Join us as we bid farewell to Summer and our Summer Library Adventures with games, crafts, snacks and fun for the whole family! Be sure to wear clothes you do not want to get messy and come hungry for camp food!

Weekly In-House Events

Movies & Munchies

Mondays,  7/25 & 8/8 @ 10:00 AM.
All Ages. Movie ratings listed. No Registration.

Join us for a movie showing based on the Summer Library Adventures weekly theme and enjoy some snacks!

-July 25: Spiderman: No Way Home (PG-13)

-August 8: RV (PG)

Melty Mondays

Mondays @ 2:00-4:00 PM

Ages 5+.
Registration required separately for each session.

Melty Mondays is returning for Summer! Come in and create awonderfully unique Perler Bead creation. Projects must be completed by 3:45 in order to be ironed and taken home the same day.

-7/25 Register Here.

-8/1 Register Here.

- 8/8 Register Here.

Camp Sing-A-Long

Tuesdays @ 10:00 AM.

All ages.

Registration required per family separately for each session.

Join us for music and movement. In our summer version, we will be including Camp Sing-A-Longs!?

-7/26 Register Here.

-8/2 Register Here.

-8/9 Register Here.

Sand Play Storytime @ Bisceglie

Tuesdays, 7/26 @ 2:30 PM

(Weather Permitting). All ages.
No registration (must have Bisceglie Pond pass)

Miss Alessandra will be visiting Bisceglie Pond for stories, songs and sand play activities.

Let's Talk Books

Tuesdays @ 4:00 PM.

Ages vary by date. Registration required separately for each session.

Join us on Tuesdays to talk about books. Each Tuesday we will be discussing a book from either our Weston Reads Early Learners, Kids or Teen levels or doing a book swap! We will also have fun activities to go along with the book we are chatting about and treats! If you need a copy of the book we are discussing, email [email protected]. Find out more about specific titles for each date on our website.

-7/26 Weston Reads: Teens Register Here.

-8/2 Weston Reads: Early Learners Register Here.

Little Scientists
Wednesdays @ 10:30 AM.

Ages 3-8. Registration required separately for each session.

We invite our youngest science lovers to come and explore an area of science based on that week's summer theme. We will conduct experiments and make our own creations.

-July 27: Superhero Ice Excavation Register Here.

-August 3: Bubbly Fires Register Here.

-August 10: Solar Oven S'mores Register Here.

Gamified

Wednesdays @ 2:30-3:30 PM.
Ages 8+.

Registration recommended

Are you a gamer? Then join us for board games, Nintendo Switch or Book Bingo where you can win summer reading books!

-7/27 Register Here.

-8/3 Register Here.

-8/10 Register Here.

Craft and Create
Wednesdays @ 6:30 PM.

Ages 5-12. Registration required separately for each session.

Join Miss Laura on Wednesday nights for a themed craft to go along with our weekly Summer Library Adventures themes. Let's see what you create!

-July 27: Invisible Superhero Painting (outdoors) Register Here.

-August 3: Kindness Postcards Register Here.

-August 10: Day/Night Paper Plate Camping Register Here.

Beyond the Beaten Path with
White Memorial Conservation Center

Thursdays @ 11:00 AM.
All ages.

Registration required separately for each session.

Teachers from White Memorial Conservation Center will be joining us to teach us about nature, animals and conservation. Each session will be on a different topic and may feature live animals, props, and audience participatory activities. You are then invited to join us at our Read Beyond the Beaten Path Storytime at 2:30 PM to explore these topics further with stories, songs and activities for littles (separate registration). To find out more about a particular program, go to our website.

-7/28: Animal Adaptations Register Here.

-8/4: Build a Forest Community Register Here.

-8/11: Radical Raptors Register Here.

This series of programs is made possible in part by the Institute of Museum and Library
Services under the provisions of the Library Services and Technology Act, administered by Connecticut State Library.

Read Beyond the Beaten Path Storytime

Thursdays @ 2:30 PM.
All ages.

Registration required per family separately for each session.

Miss Alessandra will continue the topics explored earlier in the day during our "Beyond the Beaten Path with White Memorial Conservation Center" by reading stories, singing songs and working through activities that are fit for our younger learners. You do not have to attend the 11:00 AM program in order to attend the storytime. To find out more about a particular program, go to our website.

-July 28: Amazing Animals Storytime Register Here.

-August 4: Forest Animals Storytime Register Here.

-August 11: Birds Storytime Register Here.

This series of programs is made possible in part by the Institute of Museum and Library Services under the provisions of the Library Services and Technology Act, administered by Connecticut State Library.

Club Meet Ups

Thursdays at 3:45 PM. Ages 5-12.

Registration required separately for each club meet up.

Join us on Thursdays for club meet ups where you can find friends who love the same things you do. Whether it is Pokemon, LEGOs or Science, we invite you to join us for some fun activities. To learn more about each program go to our website.

LEGO Club:

-August 4 Register Here.

Pokemon Club:

-August 11 Register Here.

Family Playgroup

Fridays @ 10:00 AM-12:30 PM.

Ages birth-6.

Registration required per family separately for each session.

We have brought back our playgroup and extended the hours during summer! Parents/Caregivers and children are invited to join us for open play in the community room. Meet new neighbors and friends and try out some of our early learning toys.??

8/5 Register Here.

Food for Thought
Fridays @ 3:30 PM. Ages 5+.

Registration required.

As our theme this summer is "Read Beyond the Beaten Path" and there has been a focus on a camping theme, we thought it only fitting to explore "camp" foods! Join us in making some traditional camp treats and eats!??

August 5: S'mores & Snack Mix Register Here.

Summer Storytime

Saturdays @ 12:30.

All ages.

Registration required separately for each session.

We invite children of all ages and their caregivers to join us for stories, songs and a small activity.?

7/30 Register Here.

 8/6 Register Here.

Thank you to the Weston Public Library Board of Trustees and Friends of the Library for sponsoring our Summer Library Adventures program! Learn how you can become a member of our Friends of the Library Here.