Digital Storytimes:

Your librarians miss you! Come watch one storytime a week on our Digital Storytime page. 

Grab & Go crafts

Each week in June we will have crafts ready for pick up! There will be a Prek – 1^st Grade option and/or a Grade 2 – 5 option. Please note that supplies are limited. Parents may call to register & arrange curbside pickup beginning the Monday of that particular week to reserve a craft bag.

Sponsored by the Friends of the Library.

HelpNow - Brainfuse HelpNow is now available for on demand eLearning for all ages and levels, offering personalized homework help in core subjects (math, reading, writing, science and social studies) including SAT preparation, skill building, and foreign language support. Students will communicate with live online tutors. Sign in with your Newington library card.

Children’s Book Bundles

Introducing a new service! Answer some questions online by filling out a special form, located on our Reading Recommendation page. Your librarians will select up to 10 customized book titles for your child. 

Summer Reading Program
 
Children’s Summer Reading 2021: Tails and Tales!
Monday, June 21 – Wednesday, August 26

The Children’s Department is offering a wonderful Summer Reading Program! This year Tails and Tales is all animal themed. Beginning on Monday, June 21, a Summer Reading Log* will be posted on the library’s website that can be printed from home. The Summer Reading Log will provide more details. All Children’s programs will be done virtually through our website or other media.

Sponsored by the Friends of the Library. 
  
*If unable to print a Summer Reading Log from home, please contact the Children’s Department at 860-665-8720.

New Nutmeg Booktalks
Need some reading recommendations? Check out our booktalk videos on the brand new CT Nutmeg Award nominees! We will have book recommendations for grades 2 – 6. The video links are now available by clicking here.

Culinary Delights: Spaghetti Muffins - Virtual
June 8

Chef Rob Scott is back to share a creative way to make spaghetti! A video link & the recipe will be available on the Kid’s Events page beginning the day of the program.

Sponsored by the Friends of the Library.    

Zoom Together Storytime – Virtual
Wednesday, June 16 and 30, 10:15 a.m.

Join us for an all ages story time.  We’ll enjoy a story (or two) and a song (or two) to welcome in the morning. Registration required. An email with the Zoom link will be sent out prior to the event.

Tales to Tails - Virtual
Thursday, June 17, 6:00-7:00 p.m.

Children who love dogs or need to boost their reading skills may sign up for a 10-minute session reading to Harper, a new canine friend. Call to register beginning June 3. Registrants will receive specific time slots on Zoom. Families are responsible for providing a book, but remember we offer curbside pickup if you need help!

Donated by Jeanette Francini. 

Children’s Summer Reading Virtual Kickoff Monday, June 21, 11:00 a.m.

Kick off summer reading with a special concert featuring Judy Pancoast, a Grammy nominee singer and songwriter! Her Tails and Tales program is a 45-minute concert with songs about all sorts of creatures with tails. It will feature all-original, interactive music and she’ll share books that go along with each song. Be ready to laugh, smile, and sing as summer reading begins! Registration is required. All registrants will be emailed the link to this Zoom event.

Sponsored by the Friends of the Library.

StoryWalk®
Who said you can’t read & walk at the same time? Visit the Library Green for our special StoryWalk®! Walk together and enjoy Mother Bruce by Ryan T. Higgins along the way. Use #lrwlkids on Instagram so we can see that you visited! Scan the QR code at the end to be entered to win a prize. Call 860-665-8720 for more details. Sponsored with the Friends of the Library 

1000 Books Before Kindergarten

We are excited to share the 1000 Books Before Kindergarten reading program with our patrons! This self-paced program encourages families to explore the world of books, get prizes, grow as readers, and have fun together. The library is here to cheer you on and connect you and your baby, toddler, or preschooler with books perfect for laughs, cuddles, and building literacy skills. More information will be available on our website.

Pop-Up Picks

Watch out for our pop-up book picks! Each week (you never know when!) a curated batch of Children’s books & a small prize will pop up on our library’s Facebook page. If you’re interested, act fast! Call the Children’s Department to reserve the books for checkout and YOU get to keep the prize. 

Topic Totes

The Children’s Department is proud to debut their Topic Tote collection!  Have a child who loves Frozen? Trucks? Bugs? Need some books to encourage potty training or bedtime? Totes with books focused on one topic will be available for circulation. Parents can check out up-to-date topic lists and information on the new Children’s Reading Recommendation webpage.