Fall Registration News

Registration for all Fall programs will be online on Eventkeeper. Patrons can either register online at home or in the Library. Registration for Storytimes and Book Discussions begins on Monday, September 20 at 9:30AM on Eventkeeper (www.gardencitypl.org). Although registration for book discussions is online, registrants must come to the Children’s Room to pick up the book in person. All storytimes will begin the week of Monday, October 4. For more information on storytimes, book discussions, and other fall programs, look in the Children’s Room for our Fall Flyers or ask a children’s librarian.

Storytime FAQs

The Library does several different storytimes each season, and it can be difficult to know which one is right for your child. These programs are designed for specific age ranges, with age-appropriate materials, in order to maximize the children’s enjoyment, and develop their listening and comprehension skills. It is important that your child be put in the correct program for their age and maturity level, in order to get the most out of it. Children can be signed up for only one session in order to accommodate as many children as possible. For more information and details check our website, or ask a librarian.

Mother Goose Storytime

The Library’s youngest patrons can join the Mother Goose program, which is for children ages 18 months - 29 months with an adult caregiver. This is a thirty minute introduction to storytime, featuring a few simple, brief stories, lots of rhymes and songs, and the occasional book based film. The focus is on parent and child interaction and participation.

Session I (Born April 2008 – March 2009):

• Mondays at 10 AM: October 4, 18, 25, November 1, 8 (no October 11).

• Thursdays at 10 AM or 11 AM: October 7, 14, 21, 28, November 4.

Session II (Born May 2008 - April 2009):

• Mondays at 10:00AM: November 15, 22, 29, December 6, 13.

• Thursdays at 10:00AM or 11:00AM: November 18, December 2,

9, 16, 23 (no November 25).

You and Your Toddler Storytime

The theme of adult and child enjoying stories together continues in the thirty minute You and Your Toddler program, for children ages 2 1/2 to 3 1/2 (born March 2007-March 2008) with an adult. Children will enjoy several books, along with flannel stories, songs, rhymes and a short book based film.

• Mondays at either 11:00AM or 7:30PM: October 4 - December 6, except October11.

• Tuesdays at either 11:00AM or 1:30PM: October 5 - December 7, except November 2.

Independent Storytimes: Little Listeners

Once children are a little older, they may be able to participate in storytime independently. Little Listeners is a thirty minute program for children ages 3-5 (born December 2005-September 2007), who have not entered Kindergarten yet. This is their first independent storytime experience—the stories are getting longer and more complex, better suited to their greater comprehension skills and attention span. There are still fun songs and movement activities, and flannel stories as well.

• Mondays at 1:30PM: October 4 - December 6, except October 11.

• Wednesdays at 11 AM: October 6 - December 8, except November 24

• Thursdays at 1:30PM: October 7 - Dec. 9, except Nov. 11 and 25.

More Programs for Preschoolers:

Preschool Storytimes

The Preschool program is identical to the Little Listeners, but is limited to independent listeners ages 31/2-5 (born December 2005 - March 2007), not yet in Kindergarten. The program is thirty minutes. Preschool storytimes will meet on Wednesdays at either 10:00AM or 1:30PM from October 6 - December 8, except November 24.

Pajama Storytime

A Pajama Storytime for independent listeners ages 3-6 is on Wednesdays at 7:30 PM from October 6-December 8, except for November 24. This program is thirty minutes and is similar in content to the Preschool and Little Listeners, but provides a nighttime alternative for busy children and working parents or those who like to hear some good bedtime stories.

Kindergarten and First Grade Storytimes

The Garden City Library Children’s Department has a number of programs for elementary school children, in addition to preschoolers. There are two sessions of Kindergarten storytime, which features folktales from around the world. Kindergarteners will have the opportunity to become familiar with these entertaining stories told to so many children throughout the world. They also see a book-based movie and do a simple craft. The storytime for First Grade features the very best in picture books and stories in a variety of formats, and concludes with a book-based movie and a fun craft. Both the Kindergarten and First Grade storytimes are forty-five minutes.

Kindergarten Storytimes

• Tuesdays, 3:45PM - 4:30PM: Oct. 5 - Dec. 7, except November 2.

• Thursdays, 3:45PM - 4:30PM: Oct.7 - Dec. 9, except Nov. 11 and 25.

First Grade Storytime

• Mondays, 3:45PM - 4:30PM: Oct. 4 - Dec. 6, except October 11.

Chapter Chat

Children who are in Second Grade are ready for their first book discussion group. Book discussions are designed to help children start thinking critically about books, and grow confident in sharing their opinions and enjoyment of children’s literature. Chapter Chat is our introductory book discussion for second graders. All participants read the same book. At each meeting, the children exchange opinions, play games based upon the book, watch a book-based film, and do a craft. Parents can sign up current Second Graders online (www.gardencitypl.org) on Eventkeeper at home or in the Library starting Monday, September 20 at 9:30AM, but are required to come to the Children’s Room to pick up the book in person. Children are asked to bring a brown bag dinner. A beverage and snack will be provided. Sign up is for both meetings and each meeting is forty-five minutes.

• Wednesday, October 13, 6:30PM-7:15PM: Jigsaw Jones: The Case of the Spooky Sleepover (Jigsaw Jones series) by James Preller.

• Monday, November 23, 5:30PM-6:15PM: Pee Wee Scouts: Rosy Noses, Freezing Toes (Pee Wee Scouts series) by Judy Delton.

The Book Ends

The Book Ends is a book discussion for children presently enrolled in Grades 3-5. The group plays games, makes crafts and does other activities inspired by kids’ favorites, and then talks about great reads. The program is an hour. Registration begins on Eventkeeper at home or in the Library starting Monday, September 20 at 9:30AM. Parents or children are required to come to the Children’s Room to pick up the book in person. Registration is for both sessions. Children are asked to bring a brown bag dinner. A beverage and snack will be provided.

• Thursday, October 21, 5:30PM-6:30PM: Thrills and Chills in the Library – An evening of fun featuring some of the funniest, craziest, and spookiest creatures ever found in a book!

• Thursday, November 18, 5:30PM-6:30PM: A Night of 39 Clues – Whether you’ve read the books twice, or are new to this popular mystery/adventure series, you are sure to enjoy. Put on your detective cap to figure out some clues of your own!

Suggested Reading Lists

Looking for a good book to read? Then come to the Library and check out the Children’s Librarian’s Suggested Reading Lists! The Library has individual reading lists for Grades K-5. The Children’s Room also has a reading list for children in Preschool. Each list includes fiction books, nonfiction books, poetry, fairytales, and more.

Please check the Library website www.gardencitypl.org for upcoming events and registration dates. Funding for these programs has been provided by the Friends of the Garden City Public Library. Priority for registration and participation is given to children who are Garden City Public Library cardholders.