Granby Free Public Library Children's Room Newsletter
Paper copies of our Children's Room Newsletter are available in the lobby of the library. If you'd like to be added to the GFPL Children's Room Newsletter email list, please email Janice McArdle at janicemcardlegpl@gmail.com.View our current newsletter here.
Granby Library’s Week of the Young Child
April 10 - 1 7
Join the Granby Library & the Collaborative for Educational Services in celebrating gratitude this Week of the Young Child, April 10-17.Create & Return a GRATITUDE STONE
Take home a kit to paint a stone for our library Gratitude Garden. Paint and brush included. Help cultivate an attitude of gratitude. Stop by for a lobby pick up a kit during open library hours. Return your Gratitude Stone by April 17, anytime, outside near the library entrance. A sign marks the area.Choose a Gratitude Pocket Pebble to keep for ages 5 & upChoose a small, smooth pebble! The gratitude pocket pebble is a physical reminder to remember your blessings! There are many ways to use them. We will give you some ideas. Stop by for a lobby pick-up pebble pack during open library hours. Library hours are T- F 10:30- 5:30. If you cannot make it during those hours, call when the library is open and we can set one outside for you. 413-467-3320
National Poetry Month StoryWalk
Check out our April StoryWalk “Please Bury Me in the Library” by J. Patrick Lewis short poems range from sweet to silly to laugh-out-loud funny. with clever, witty, and endearing paintings. This book is the perfect treat for book lovers of all ages.Download our National Poetry Month Flyer
April School Vacation Week April 20-23
Bug Bags – 2 Different Bug CraftsThe weather is warming up and the bugs have started crawling, flying & buzzing around! Grab a Bug Bag this week and make a couple of cute critters! Pick up an insect I Spy game sheet too!
Yarn Wrapped Initial
This is a great project to display in your room! Create your initial, then wrap it in yarn. Just add glue to the materials provided!
Choose yarn color from those available.
Earth Day Book Bundles - Week Long
Ask for an “Earth Day” bundle of books for your desired age group & we will give you some great books about nature all week long (curbside pickup.) We will add an Earth Day activity sheets!
Granby Library’s Playgroup on Zoom!
Every Tuesday at 10am
The Collaborative will sponsor this early literacy and STEM CFCE Playgroup every Tuesday at 10am.Join our playgroup leader, Marti live on Zoom for hands on sensory play, plus circle songs and storytime. Email the library at granbypubliclibrary@gmail.com or mwiechman@collaborative.org (same link each week) link to the join in!
Everyone is welcome! Ideal for ages birth to 7 years.
Parent Conversation Groups on Zoom geared to the challenges of raising young children in the Time of COVID.
Visit collaborative.org for updates! You will need to download the newest version of Zoom on your computer, tablet or smart phone.
Make & Take at the Granby Library & CFCE Zoom Playgroup
Join Marti, our playgroup facilitator, each week from 10-11am for sensory play, stories, songs & take and make crafts from the library.Below are the playgroup dates. The Take & Make bags will be available at the library Tues-Fri 10:30am to 5:30pm.
March 30 - April 2 Watch Me Grow Flower Seeds
April 6 - 9 Watch Me Grow Vegetable Seeds
April 13- 16 April Showers Bring May Flowers
April 20 – 23 Bug Bags
Music and Movement!
Wednesdays 9:30am to 10:00am
An interactive music and movement workshop for parents and their children age 1-5.Wednesdays: 9:30 - 10:00 am
Now through April 14th
Drop into one or all the sessions with Andy Goulet. Free
Register for Music & Movement classes – here’s a link to registration:
https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLScWPrY9HyaaCG6nbRGS0jfaC8IlxednSJuWLJHSarJWkpn_iQ/formResponse or Email earlychildhood@collaborative.org for the Zoom link.
Yoga for Families: Breathe, Stretch, and Bond
Parent Only – Self Care/ Relaxation Thursday evenings 7- 8pm.Parent / Child Yoga Monday mornings 9:30 – 10am.
Description Stephanie Koller will present a twelve-week workshop series to help parents and their children build a “Winter Wellness Toolbox” through the weekly practice of QiYoga. Incorporating varying mindfulness themes each week, both children and their parents will learn helpful ways to maintain a healthy balance between active movement and tranquil breathing. On Monday mornings, Stephanie will offer parent/child interactive experiences, and on Thursday evenings the focus will be on a mindful movement practice to help parents nurture themselves. Runs through April 12.
Register for Zoom Yoga For Families here’s a link to registration:
https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLScWPrY9HyaaCG6nbRGS0jfaC8IlxednSJuWLJHSarJWkpn_iQ/formResponse or Email earlychildhood@collaborative.org for the Zoom link.
Baby-Toddler Sign Language Classes Live Online
Wednesday Mornings at 10:30am - Through April 14th
Are you ready to help your young child to communicate objects, emotions and desires by using some easy baby sign language?
The Granby Library playgroup facilitator and young child whisperer, Marti Wiechman, Early Learning Specialist will be teaching the classes. Email Marti for the zoom link at mwiechman@collaborative.org
Follow us on Facebook!
Keep up with the most relevant information about the Granby Free Public Library and what's happening in the Children's Room!https://www.facebook.com/granbylibrarychildrens/
BOOKS, MOVIES, MAGAZINES, oh my!
What should we read next? Need help trying to figure out what to read next! We can help you with reader’s advisory for all ages. Learning about any topic and need some book…resources? Call us.
Books & Bundles are Available! 5 picture books “bundled” together by themes that are ready to go. The Book Bundle list is on our library website.
We can easily make a custom bundle for many more topics – just ask! Simply call and ask for a selection of books we will choose for you, based on your child’s age & interests!
*Our library backpacks and tote kits are not circulating at this time.
Granby Free Public Library is now offering access to Scholastic Teachables!
Scholastic Teachables offers worksheets, lesson plans, learning games, and more! Printable activities for any subject: math, science, reading comprehension, STEM, writing, and beyond. Download printable lesson plans, reading passages, games and puzzles, clip art, bulletin board ideas, and skills sheets for kids in any grade. Contact the library for login information to get started from home!
Children's Resources
Great online resources offered free of charge
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Teach Your Monster To Read! The groundbreaking game that makes learning to read fun! |
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Learning apps and games. |
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Make any room a classroom. |
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An online hub for literacy and reading that features many lesson plans, activities, and printable materials such as book-themed word searches, crosswords, and memory games. |
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Get printable worksheets, at-home lesson plans, craft ideas, and activities. |
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STEM experiments and space themed storytimes. |
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Activate your kids' imagination with podcasts, audiobooks, and music. |
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Join the PBS Kids newsletter for access. |
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Find coloring pages themed around bilingual Nick Jr. characters with words in English and Spanish. |
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The publisher offers writing and drawing activities, puzzles, games and mazes, word searches, and coloring pages themed around picture books, nonfiction books, and chapter books. |
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Candlewick Press has produced a myriad of resources featuring some of our favorite characters like Stink and Mercy Watson. Click on "Resources" and then "Activity Sheets and Reproducibles." |
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Fun printables based on picture books published by Harper Collins. Also some great storytime tips! |
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Resources, downloadable activities, bookslists and more! Click on "Activities and Printables" to find printable learn-at-home activities. |
1,000 Books Before Kindergarten
Make sure your child is as ready as they can be for one of the biggest moments of their little life - starting school. Read them 1,000 books before kindergarten & keep track with this nation-wide program.The 1,000 Books Before Kindergarten program in a nutshell:
1. When you enroll your child you will receive a folder that contains your first 100 books chart. For every book read, cross off one circle on your chart.
2. When you have read 100 books to your child, bring the completed chart to the library. Your child will get his or her name on our Wall of Fame (great photo op!), a sticker and a new chart for the next 100 books.
3. After every 100 books, make sure to pick up your sticker and the next chart.
4. When your child reaches 1,000 books, he or she will receive a book and a Certificate of Achievement.
5. Finished all the steps? Congratulations! You did it! You gave your children a priceless gift - the readiness to read!
Every child in your family can participate, from infant to Kindergarten!
Does reading 1,000 books seem totally overwhelming? We promise, it's not as hard as you think! 3 books per day for 1 year = 1,095 books . 1 book per day for 3 years = 1,095 books.
You can:
Read the same book over and over and over
Read in any language
Storytimes count too!
It's simple, fun and we'll help you get there!
ABC Mouse at the Library
New!!
