Digital Storytimes:

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

Grab & Go crafts

Each week in July 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 available here.

Stories, Songs, and Sunshine
Tuesdays, July 6, 13, 20, and 27,10:30 a.m.

Join us for an all ages story time OUTDOORS! We’ll enjoy a story (or two) and a song (or two) to welcome in the morning. We will be located on the Library Green near the lower Garfield Street parking lot. Please bring blankets or chairs for your family. If there is inclement weather, the storytime will be on Zoom. Registration begins two weeks prior to the listed dates. 

Outdoor Paint Class
Wednesday, July 7, 4:30 p.m.

For 4^th & 5^th graders. Alicia Brown from The Art Child will show you how to create an amazing animal-themed painting! All materials will be provided. Call to register June 23. We will meet on the library’s front steps before starting. The rain date is Tuesday, July 27.

Sponsored by the Friends of the Library.

Family Storytime
Thursdays, July 8, 15, 22, and 29, 6:00 p.m.

Stories, songs and more for the whole family! We will be located on the Library Green near the lower Garfield Street parking lot. Please bring blankets or chairs for your family. If there is inclement weather, the storytime will be on Zoom. Registration begins two weeks prior to the listed dates.

Author Spotlight: Diane Young Rodney
Saturday, July 10, 11:00 a.m.

Join us for the book release of Newington’s own Diane Young Rodney! She will be reading from her debut, Russell: The Kid Nobody Wants to Be Around, a children’s book which focuses on friendship and empathy. We will also have a Q&A session and a giveaway! This event will be outside on the library green near the lower Garfield Street parking lot. Please bring blankets or chairs for your family. If there is inclement weather, the rain date will be July 24. Books will be available for purchase. Registration required. 

Culinary Delights: Baked Praline French Toast Casserole - Virtual
Monday, July 12

Join Chef Rob Scott as shares a delicious take on a breakfast favorite. 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.    

Outdoor Pajama Yoga
Wednesday, July 14, 6:00 p.m.

Children ages 4 - 8 and their caregivers are invited to come to the Library in comfortable pajamas to have fun doing Yoga together.  Beth Agdish, a certified Next Generation Yoga for Kids instructor, will teach us techniques and traditional poses. Please bring your own mats. We will be located on the library green near the lower Garfield Street parking lot. Call to register beginning June 30.

Sponsored by the Friends of the Library.

Summer Nature Journals
Monday, July 19

Sign up beginning July 19 to reserve our Summer Nature Journal! This journal is full of fun, boredom-busting outdoor activities for kids. Some materials needed, such as solar paper, will be included. Available while supplies last.

Sponsored by the Friends of the Library.

Tales to Tails
Tuesday, July 20, 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, our canine friend. Call to register beginning July 6. Registrants will receive specific time slots on Zoom. Families are responsible for providing a book, but remember your librarians are here if you need help selecting a title!

Donated by Jeanette Francini. 

Getting Ready for Kindergarten Grab and Go Activity Kit
Monday, July 26

Sign up beginning August 2 for a fun and educational kit containing a variety of activities you can do at home with your soon to be kindergartener. Practice writing, cutting, gluing, letter names/sounds, rhyming, patterning, counting and more! The kit is for children who are starting kindergarten this upcoming school year. 

Sponsored by the Friends of the Library.

Outdoor Pajama Yoga
Wednesday, July 28, 6:00 p.m.

Children ages 4 - 8 and their caregivers are invited to come to the Library in comfortable pajamas to have fun doing Yoga together.  Beth Agdish, a certified Next Generation Yoga for Kids instructor, will teach us techniques and traditional poses. Please bring your own mats. We will be located on the library green near the lower Garfield Street parking lot. Call to register beginning July 14.

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.