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.
These Books Are the Cat’s Pajamas!
These Books Are the Cat’s Pajamas!
Did you know that cats are the coolest pets ever? Well, Miss Alice thinks so anyway! And 46.5 million households across the country agree! These fantastic felines can make biscuits and purr their way into anyone’s hearts. Here’s a bunch of books featuring cats to delight readers of all ages with some mischievous antics and sweet kitties.
Picture books:
1. Bathe the Cat by Alice B. McGinty
2. Stack the Cats by Susie Ghahremani
3. 10 Cats by Emily Gravett (also available in Spanish)
4. Cat’s Very Good Day by Kristen Tracy
5. This Little Kitty by Karen Obuhanych
Fiction:
1. Sparrow Being Sparrow by Gail Donovan
2. Don’t Trust the Cat by Kristen Tracy
3. Mia Mayhen and the Cat Burglar by Kara West
4. Katt Loves Dogg by James Patterson
5. Catalyst by Sarah Beth Durst
Graphic novels:
1. Sue and Tai-chan by Kanata Konami
2. The Evil Secret Society of Cats by Pandania
3. Sparks by Ian Boothby
4. The First Cat in Space Ate Pizza by Mac Barnett
5. Kitty Quest by Phil Corbett
Nonfiction:
1. Cats: Nature and Nurture by Andy Hirsch
2. Get Crafting For Your Cool Cat by Ruth Owen
3. Cats are Cats: Poems by Nancy Larrick
4. Cats & Kittens: Learn to Draw and Color 26 Different Kitties by Diana Fisher
5. Cats by Anna Milbourne
-Post by Alice Mitchell, Youth Services Manager
FDL Reads: The Spider and the Fly
The Spider and the Fly by Mary Howitt, illustrated by Tony DiTerlizzi
Reviewed by Julie Nutt, Communications Specialist
Genre: Poetry, horror
Suggested age: Ages 8 and up
What is this book about? “ ‘Will you walk into my parlor?’ said the Spider to the Fly.” Probably one of most-well known opening lines in the history of poetry, “The Spider and the Fly,” is a cautionary tale written by poet Mary Howitt in 1829. The Spider lures the unsuspecting Fly into his home with charming compliments and offers of the finer things in life. But Spider’s promises are actually part of his fiendish plan to trap and eat the Fly! Fly is suspicious throughout, but can she avoid the spider’s fiendish ulterior motives?
Mary Howitt wrote this story as a cautionary tale to her own children, “about those who use sweet words to hide their not-so-sweet intentions” (from the book jacket). This New York Times Bestselling adaptation of the story has been hailed by critics and illustrators alike.
My review: Sadly, to this day, the message is all to relevant. Author William Bennett said of the story, “Unfortunately, as long as there’s dishonesty in the world, there will be people ready to lay traps for us…” It is a harsh lesson in stranger-danger for children, but also a warning to adults to beware of the danger of false promises. Mary Howitt’s prose perfectly depicts the Spider’s dark intentions, as well as the Fly’s naivete.
Illustrator Tony DiTerlizzi takes the poem to a whole new level of macabre with his ghostly pencil and gouache illustrations that are reminiscent of silent movies and 19th century fairy tales. (I personally find old fairy tales, well…pretty creepy.) DiTerlizzi takes no liberties with the text, but adds subtle clues in his illustrations as to what will ultimately happen to the Fly.
A quick, deliciously dreadful read for parents and kids…or just parents! Warning: read it with the lights on!
Three words that describe this book: creepy, captivating, cautionary
Give this a try if you like: books by Alvin Schwarz, Edward Gorey, and Shel Silverstein
Rating: 5/5
*available in print and Hoopla ebook
