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.
New Family-Focused Stories for Kids
If family is important to you, and you are looking for good-wholesome reads this month, check out these children’s chapter books this Summer!
The Wild Robot Protects
by Peter Brown
This is the third book of The Wild Robot series by Peter Brown! Despite it starring a robot as the main character, it is full of deep relationships and what it means to protect and care for those who you consider family in your life!
Mexikid
by Pedro Martin
This graphic novel has just won a Newberry Honor Award this past year! It follows the true story of the author’s journey as a kid with his family to Mexico to pick up their abuelito. It is a great story for both people who want to learn more about Mexican-American culture, or for those who struggle with feeling “Mexican” enough in their own families.
Ferris
by Kate DiCamillo
Kate DiCamillo continues to write amazing stories for both kids and their families! This story follows Ferris and her quirky family the summer before she goes into fifth grade!
The One and Only Family
by Katherine Applegate
(Coming soon!)
In the fourth installment of Applegate’s One and Only series, Ivan becomes a papa and learns to navigate his new role!
Something Like Home
by Andrea Beatriz Arango
This book is perfect for dog lovers and outcasts alike. It follows a girl, who stumbles upon a dog, on her mission to be reunited with her parents!
FDL Reads: The Bawk-Ness Monster
The Bawk-Ness Monster by Sara Goetter and Natalie Riess
Reviewed By: Alice Mitchell, Youth Services Manager
Genre: Fantasy (graphic novel)
Suggested Age: Kids (7-12)
What is This Book About? A year ago, the Bawk-ness Monster saved Penny from drowning. She desperately wants to thank “Bessie” now that she’s moving away and enlists the help of her friends K and Luc. They put Operation: Find Bessie into action by convincing Penny’s mom to have a last hurrah camping trip at Lake Bockamixon. Their plans are thwarted by an evil cryptid collector who wants to kidnap Bessie and sell her to the highest bidder. Suddenly the friends are roped into a rescue mission of epic proportions!
My Review: I laughed out loud multiple times during this cryptid caper. It’s always nice to see an inclusive cast of characters, especially since they all have their own personalities. Penny is immensely sweet, and K’s passion for cryptids is only matched by Luc’s needs to prepare for every possible situation. Put them together with a menagerie of cryptids, a protective mom, and a ridiculous villain, and you have a recipe for some of the best one-liners I’ve ever read. Who would have expected that Bigtaur would know how to drive a submarine and scuba?? I certainly didn’t. This graphic novel with cartoon-like illustrations is definitely worth a read.
Three Words that Describe this Book: hilarious, inclusive, adventure
Give This A Try if You Like… My Aunt is a Monster by Reimena Yee, Phoebe and her Unicorn by Dana Simpson, Investigators by John Patrick Green
Rating: 5/5
