Programs & Events for Kids
Library staff design a full schedule of engaging, entertaining, and educational programs and events for babies, toddlers, preschoolers, and school-aged children. Various events – including options for early literacy, STEAM, gaming, and crafts – are offered year-round.
1KB4K: 1,000 Books Before Kindergarten
1KB4K is a library initiative that promotes reading 1,000 books to preschoolers before they begin Kindergarten. It’s easy to do, and the child gets a free book every time they read and report 100 books. Register and track their reading progress online with Beanstack, or visit the Youth Services Department for additional information or to register in person. You can also view the 1KB4K brochure here.
100 Club
The 100 Club is a fun way for kids to build their reading habits year-round – while earning prizes! Kids in kindergarten through 8th grade can join the club and track their progress on Beanstack. There’s no time limit for completing the challenge, but the goal is to read 100 books! The structure is simple: log books in any category and earn a prize for each 10 books read. Each month, a prize winner will be drawn from active readers, and readers who finish all 10 badges will earn a 100 Club completion prize and get to pick a free book to keep. Learn more about signing up in Beanstack at fondulaclibrary.beanstack.org/reader365 or ask a librarian for help and get your young readers involved in this awesome reading challenge!
Anytime Activities, Toys, & Games
Even when there’s not a program scheduled, there’s always something fun to do at the library! Stop by the desk in the Youth Services Department to learn more about the library’s current Anytime Activities – crafts, games, or projects kids can do whenever they visit the library. Additionally, the library offers a wide selection of board games and card games, as well as a train table, Lego table, puzzles, and a puppet theater to play with during your visit.
FDL Reads: Katie the Catsitter
Katie the Catsitter by Colleen AF Venable
Reviewed By: Alice Mitchell, Youth Services Manager
Genre: Superhero fantasy (graphic novel)
Suggested Age: Kids (7-12)
What is This Book About: Katie desperately wants to join her friends at camp this summer, instead of being left behind to read glittery postcards about it. When her mom considers sending her if she can raise the money to attend, Katie immediately starts on fundraising efforts. Unfortunately, all of her attempts end in funny failures so things are looking bleak until Katie’s mysterious upstairs neighbor hires her to pet sit. Katie thinks she might be a bit out of her league when she discovers that Madeline has 217 cats, and once their owner leaves they go berserk. Katie grows suspicious at the cats’ antics as well as Madeline’s behavior. Why is it that Madeline is always out when super villain Mousetress commits her crimes?
My Review: If you ever wanted to believe that your troublesome pets are actually angels, this is a perfect book. I could read biographies of all 217 rambunctious cats and be entertained for ages. I love that they all get names, personalities, and are able to help out Madeline – I mean, Mousetress – with her heroic efforts. This alternate New York City sets up a really interesting society with Yelp-approved super-heroics. Katie and her friends are easy to relate to also. Despite the fantastic nature of Katie the Catsitter, they have normal problems such as struggles with potentially growing apart and wondering if they’re still as important to each other as they used to be. All in all, this is an energetic superhero story with 218 delightful sidekicks.
Three Words that Describe this Book: upbeat, superheroes, friendship
Give This A Try if You Like… The Click series by Kayla Miller, Be Prepared by Vera Brosgol, the Bad Guys series by Aaron Blabey, the PAWS series by Nathan Fairbairn, Allergic by Megan Wagner Lloyd, and Sparks! by Ian Boothby
Rating: 5/5
Kids’ Book Blurb: Allergic
Youth Services Manager, Alice, read the junior graphic novel Allergic, by Megan Wagner Lloyd. Allergic was also the January selection for our Kids’ Comic Book Club! Here is what Alice had to say:
“This was an awesome book that had been on my TBR list for a long time (and definitely didn’t make me tear up at all). Maggie has a lot of change going on in her life, with a new school, new baby sibling on the way, and a new neighbor. She wanted something all her own, but her hopes for a pet dog and a career as a vet are quickly dashed when they realize she’s allergic to fur and feathers.
Maggie goes through a few disappointments and friendship struggles, and comes out on the other side with stronger relationships with her friends and family, as well as new passions for non-furry animals. The art will strongly appeal to fans of Karla Miller, Raina Telgemeier, and The Baby-Sitter’s Club. Great for upper elementary and junior high kids.”
Joins for Kids’ Comic Book Club in February when we read Drama, by Raina Telgemeier!
