Weston
Connecticut
Weston Public Library's Children, Families and Teens Happenings Newsletter - Summer 2022
Schools and Libraries
June 1, 2022
From: Weston Public LibraryWelcome 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’S HAPPENING?
It's almost time!
Summer Library Adventures starts June 15th!
Summer Library Adventures
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!
Summer Library Adventures – Part 1: Read
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).
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!
Summer Library Adventures – Part 2: Do
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 1 Theme: Magical Journey Through CT
Craft: Magical Flowers and Stars
Craft available June 21-25 (library closed Monday June 20)
Week 2 Theme: Exploring the Night, Sky and Space
Craft: Crescent Moon & Bat Mobile
Craft available June 27-July 2
Week 3 Theme: Backyards & Beyond
Craft: Nature Tree
Craft available July 5-July 9 (Library Closed Monday July 4)
Week 4 Theme: Wonders of the World
Craft: Treasure Chest
Craft available July 11-16
Week 5 Theme: Musical Adventures
Craft: Straw Pan Flute
Craft available July 18-23
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
Summer Library Adventures – Part 3: Go
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
Summer Library Adventures Kick-Off
Wednesday, June 22 from 12-5 PM
All ages.
No registration required.
Join us to kick-off our Summer Library Adventures program! We will have games, crafts, snacks and prizes. You can also register for our Summer Reading program. At 5:00 PM we will have a special event with Magician Ed Popielarczyk (must register for that event). Drop in for some fun and get ready for a summer you won't forget with the Weston Public Library!
Magic Show with Ed Popielarczyk
Wednesday, June 22 @ 5:00 PM
Ages 3+.
Registration required Here
Join us for our summer kick-off party and then join us as we watch the magic of Ed Popielarczyk. This magic show is a comedy show that uses a lot of audience participation. The kids are the stars because they make the magic happen as Ed usually has lots of trouble! He doesn’t just “do a trick,” he tells a story that revolves around each trick. It may be a short story or a longer one, but each story helps to bring the trick together. Every child who comes on “stage” to be a helper receives a souvenir!
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.
6/27 @ 6:00 PM: The Magic School Bus Gets Baked in a Cake Register Here
7/18 @ 4:00 PM: Harry Potter & The Chamber of Secrets Register Here
8/8 @ 4:00 PM: The Lightning Thief Register Here
Acting Out with Ms. Karen: Campfire Roundup
Wednesday, June 29 @ 4:30 PM
Ages up to 12.
Registration required Here.
Ms. Karen and Chester, the costume trunk, take a trip out West for a cowboy campfire hoedown. Ride, sing, and play games western style. Some Yee Haw fun your "little doggies" are sure to enjoy. Happy trails!
EnergizeCT: Energy in Action Mobile Experience
Wednesday, July 6: Multiple time options from 4-6:30 PM
All ages.
Registration required.
Step inside our interactive exhibit for a full experience of learning and exploration. Learn how you can be part of creating a more energy-efficient world by making smart, energy-saving decisions daily. Witness and participate in mind-blowing, energy-saving experiments.
Session 1: 4:00-4:30 Register Here.
Session 2: 4:30-5:00 Register Here.
Session 3: 5:00-5:30 Register Here.
Session 4: 5:30-6:00 Register Here.
Session 5: 6:00-6:30 Register Here.
Talewise: Pirates Lost at Sea
Monday, July 11 @ 4:30 PM
Grades K and Up.
Registration required Here.
Ahoy there, matey! Set sail with us on a thrilling action-packed adventure about a crew of quirky pirates marooned on a desert island.Throughout the story, we’ll explore the incredible science behind clouds, physical and chemical changes, air pressure, and more! Don’t miss your chance to experience this interactive nautical tale — with a refreshing splash of science!
Icons Sticker Books: Build Your Own History Book
Wednesday, July 13 @ 4:00 PM
Ages 5+.
Registration required Here.
“Build your own history" using a Sticker Book that contains many of the most important, interesting and inspirational people, places, events and concepts of time! In this session we will be using the Icons Sticker Book and every participant will get their own copy to use and take home!
Mad Science: Sounds Like Science
Wednesday, July 20 @ 4:30 PM
Ages 5-12.
Registration required Here.
Join Mad Science of Fairfield County to explore the sounds of science! Kids get tuned into learning with exciting demonstrations and experiments, including the surprisingly loud dinosaur in-a-can, the glowing electric pickle, and a kid-created thunderstorm!
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, 6/27, 7/11, 7/18, 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!
June 27: Space Jam: A New Legacy (PG)
July 11: Uncharted (PG-13)
July 18: Encanto (PG)
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.
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!
Sand Play Storytime @ Bisceglie
Tuesdays, 6/21, 6/28, 7/5, 7/12, 7/19, & 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.
6/21 Weston Reads: Kids Register Here.
6/28 Weston Reads: Teens Register Here.
7/12 Weston Reads Early Learners Register Here.
7/19 Weston Reads: Kids Register Here.
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.
June 29: Play Dough Constellations Register Here.
July 6: How Plants Grow Register Here.
July 13: Apple Volcanoes Register Here.
July 20: Science of Sound with Balloon Amps and Dancing Rice Register Here.
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!
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!
June 29: Flying Comets & Foil Moons Register Here.
July 6: Swing Set Register Here.
July 13: Egyptian Hieroglyphic Treasure Stone Register Here.
July 20: Craft Stick Harmonica Register Here.
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.
6/23: The Wildlife Outside Our Windows Register Here.
6/30: Bats Are Good Guys (virtual on ZOOM) Register Here.
7/7: Helping Nature’s Not-So-Cuddly Register Here.
7/14: Rare and Remarkable Register Here.
7/21: The Sound of (Nature’s) Music Register Here.
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.
June 23: Connecticut Creatures Storytime Register Here.
June 30: Bats Storytime Register Here.
July 7: Reptiles & Amphibians Storytime Register Here.
July 14: Endangered Animals Storytime Register Here.
July 21: Animal Sounds Storytime Register Here.
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:
June 16 Register Here.
July 7 Register Here.
August 4 Register Here.
Pokemon Club:
June 23 Register Here.
July 14 Register Here.
August 11 Register Here.
Science Club:
June 30 Register Here.
July 21 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.
Food for Thought
Fridays @ 3:30 PM. Ages 5+.
Registration required separately for each session.
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!
June 17: Fruit Kabobs & Bananas on a Stick (NOTE: Peanut Butter part of recipe) Register Here.
June 24: Bears in the Campground (aka Dirt Pudding) Register Here.
July 1: Ice Cream in a Bag & Dessert Cones (NOTE: Nuts are options and will be in room) Register Here.
July 8: Ants on a Log & Apple Sandwiches (NOTE: Peanut Butter is an option and will be in room) Register Here.
July 15: Candy Sushi and Trail Mix (Note: Nuts are options and will be in room) Register Here.
July 22: Dessert Burritos & Walking Tacos Register Here.
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.
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.
Programs and Events:
You don't have to wait until Summer Library Adventures programs start on June 15th, we have something you can try out now! Take a look at our Calendar for the full June Events listing.