The 2020 Winter Library Challenge, "Snow is Falling...Books are Calling", is coming soon! Early registration begins online or at the library on January 6th. Be sure to pick up your Activity Logs at the Reference or Children's Desk. The program runs from January 13th to February 23rd. Get ready for some Winter reading, creating and engaging!

Saturday, January 18 at 10:30am at Marquardt Village

Join Miss Tina at Marquardt Village for a special storytime for all ages! Enjoy snowman stories, decorate and eat snowman cookies and make snowman crafts with the residents at Marquardt Village!

Saturday, February 22 at 10:00am at the Watertown Senior Center

The Watertown Public Library is hosting a TalkReadPlaytime at the Watertown Senior Center....SNAKE, RATTLE, & ROLL with Snake Discovery! Join us on Saturday, February 22 at 10:00am to learn more about and interact with snakes, turtles, and other interesting reptiles in this hands-on, family friendly program.

Saturday, March 14 at 10:00am

Stop in for some creative Family Fun! Build your brains as you create with Play-Doh! No registration necessary. Drop in to enjoy some fun family time creating together.

Thursdays at 9:15am
September 19 to December 19
Winter/Spring Sessions: January 16 to May 14

Baby Bounce brings caregivers and babies together for 30 minutes of rhymes, songs, books, and free-play time. The program's primary focus is the healthy development of infants aged 0-2 years with an emphasis on language enrichment and pre-literacy skills. Siblings are always welcome.

Tuesdays and Thursdays at 10am
September 17 to December 19
Winter/Spring Sessions: January 14 to May 14

Little University Storytimes are for children ages 2-5 years old. This program's focus is to incorporate stories, songs, rhymes, crafts, music and movement to promote pre-literacy skills, fine and gross motor skills, and foster a love of reading at an early age. There will be two Little University Storytimes per week, join us for whichever works best for you and your busy schedule!

Fridays at 10am
Winter/Spring Sessions: January 10, February 14, March 6, April 3 and May 1

Get ready to dance with winter and spring sessions of Read, Rhyme, Rhythm with Beth Mueller, educator and dance instructor! All activities promote the five early literacy skills of talking, singing, reading, writing, and playing. Ages 3-5. No registration necessary.

Fridays at 10:00am
Winter/Spring Sessions: January 31, February 28, March 27, April 24 and May 22

1-2-3 Sing With Me is a musical storytime for young children to explore the world through books, games and songs! All ages welcome. No registration required.

Mondays at 3:30pm
Winter/Spring Sessions: January 13, February 10, March 9, April 6 and May 4

S.T.E.A.M. Team is an exciting and fun program for elementary age kids to come experience the wonders of Science, Technology, Engineering, Art, and Math! Each month will feature a new challenge or activity focused on these five areas. No registration is necessary.

Upcoming Programs-
January 13: Edible Marshmallow Snow Slime
February 10: Pringles Challenge
March 9: Candy DNA Models
April 6: Pickles, Pickles, Everywhere!
May 4: Edible Rock Layers

Wednesdays at 6:00pm
January 22nd, February 19, March 18, April 15 and May 13

Family S.T.E.A.M. is a new program to encourage families to work together and experience the wonders of Science, Technology, Engineering, Art, and Math... S.T.E.A.M.! All ages are welcome and we have kits and activities appropriate for your youngest to your oldest.

Wednesdays at 6:00pm
February 5, March 4, April 1 and 29

Sensory S.T.E.A.M. is a new program to encourage families to work together and experience the wonders of Science, Technology, Engineering, Art, and Math with a focus on sensory play, activities, and experiences. All ages are welcome.

Wednesdays at 1:30pm
Winter/Spring Sessions: January 29, February 26, March 25, April 22 and May 20

Homeschool Wednesdays is a program for Homeschool families of all ages. The program will be monthly and will include special guests, crafts, activities, and unique learning opportunities.

Upcoming Programs:
January 29: Kids/Teen Yoga & Healthy Snack
**Be sure to dress comfortably and bring a yoga mat or beach towel if possible!
February 26: TBD
March 25: TBD
April 22: TBD
May 20: TBD

Tuesdays at 3:30pm
Winter/Spring Sessions: January 14, February 11, March 10, April 14 and May 12

Join us for this exciting Survivor Series Book Club at the Library! We will be reading and discussing a different Survivor series book each month, along with a fun activity and a snack. Books are available for check-out at the Children's Room desk.

Upcoming Book Picks:
January 14: "I Survived the Hindenburg Disaster, 1937"
February 11: "I Survived the Battle of Gettysburg, 1963"
March 10: "I Survived the Joplin Tornado, 2011"
April 14: "I Survived the Nazi Invasion, 1944"
May 12: "I Survived the Eruption of Mount St. Helens, 1980"

Tuesdays at 3:30pm
Winter/Spring Sessions: January 7, February 4, March 3, April 7 and May 5

Join us each month for a book discussion, refreshments and an activity. Books are available for check out at the Children's Room desk each month.

Upcoming Book Picks:
January 7: "Kaya Shows the Way"
February 4: "Felicity Discovers a Secret"
March 3: "Caroline's Secret Message"
April 7: "Josefina Learns a Lesson"
May 5: "Marie-Grace Makes a Difference"

Tuesdays at 3:30pm
Winter/Spring Sessions: January 21, February 18, March 17, April 21 and May 19

Come build with LEGOs at the library.
We supply the LEGO's!
You supply the creativity!

Future Projects:
January 21: Snow People
February 18: Hearts with Blindfolds!
March 17: Leprechaun Traps
April 21: Gravity Challenge
May 19: Marble Runs

Thursdays at 6:30pm-7:30pm
Winter/Spring Sessions: January 16, February 20, March 19, April 16 and May 21

Kids LOVE reading books to dogs!
It increases:
>Independent Reading
>Self Confidence
>Self-Esteem
Children practice reading in a stress and anxiety free environment.

Mondays at 6 pm-7 pm
January 13, February 10, March 16, April 6 and May 11

Visit the library for Agriculture Adventures with the FFA each month! This student led program will meet on the Monday's listed from 6pm-7pm and be full of agricultural-based fun! Monthly program themes will be listed on the library's Kid page. No registration is necessary and all programs are appropriate for kids in Kindergarten through 5th grades.

Upcoming Programs:
January 13: Kittens, Kittens, Everywhere! (with real, live kittens!)
February 10: Bunnies Galore
March 16: TBD
April 6: TBD
May 11: TBD

TumbleBooks is an exciting ebook reading service for kids that searches nearly 200 stories by title, author and reading levels in three languages: English, French and Spanish. The collection covers levels from picture books to chapter books so it is great for beginning or independent readers.
Children can read at their own pace two different ways; in automatic mode, the story is narrated and pages turn automatically and in manual mode, children read at their own pace and turn pages themselves.There are also educational games and puzzles based on TumbleBooks titles to extend your fun. Click on the link below to try it out!

Join the Library's early literacy 1000 Books Before Kindergarten program to give your child an early love of reading that will last a lifetime! This initiative is made possible by the generous support of the Friends of the Watertown Public Library.

It's easy! Stop at the Children's Room desk to sign-up and receive your official folder and materials. Complete the program on paper OR use the 1000 Books FREE app available for Android and Apple devices (see link below).

HOW IT WORKS:

1. Record each book at the you share with your child! Repetition is good, so if you record a favorite title more than once, it's okay!

2. When the first sheet of 100 books is completed, bring the finished sheet to the Children's Room desk to pick up a prize! Staff will provide a sheet for the next 100 books.

3. Keep repeating this process, picking up new sheets for each 100 books until 1000 is reached!

4. Once you have read 1000 books, your child will receive a grand prize and certificate! Continue to share and enjoy reading together!!

For more information give the Children's Room a call at 920-262-4090 ext. 2329.

The Watertown Public Library is excited to be the first community space partnering with the Greater Watertown Community Health Foundation to share TalkReadPlay With Your Child Everyday!

TalkReadPlay is a community awareness campaign designed to teach parents and caregivers about the science of early brain development and help them create more brain building opportunities with their babies and young children. The program was developed locally by Every Child Thrives, a collective impact effort, and is based on the latest child development brain science.

TalkReadPlay offers families tips and tools to help them become their child's number one brain builder!

Come visit the Children's Room to check out the great brain building tips and tools you'll find throughout the area. Please visit talkreadplaywi.com, download the free Daily Vroom app, and start brain building today!