Children

Join in the reading fun with the 1,000 Books Before Kindergarten Challenge and help your child develop the early literacy skills they need to become independent readers who enjoy stories and learning.

One thousand books may seem like a lot, but it is a very attainable number. If you read just one book a day, you will fulfill the challenge in less than 3 years. If you read 3 books a day, you will complete the challenge in less than 1 year. Books read by a teacher, librarian, babysitter, and family member all count, as do Wonderbooks and audiobooks. Favorite books that your child yearns to hear every day also count each time you read that book. 

Start by registering your child for the 1,000 Books Before Kindergarten Challenge in Beanstack using either the Beanstack app or the website www.beanstack.com. Search for Tipp City Public Library.  Register yourself as the head of household and add your child (baby, toddler, or preschooler) as a reader. Then, stop in the library and pick up a folder if you would like to use a paper tracker. 

You may track the books read in one of these ways:

1. Entirely through Beanstack by recording the number of books read
2. Using the bookworm paper tracker in this folder and coloring/marking a circle for each book read
3. Using the title tracker in this folder (This is not necessary unless you prefer to keep this type of detailed record.)

Once your child listens to 100 books, record the number of books in Beanstack or bring your completed paper tracker to the library, where a staff member will log the books for you in Beanstack. You will receive a sticker for your child’s folder for every 100 books read. When 1,000 books have been read, the stickers will form a bookworm on the folder’s cover.

At the 200, 400, 600, and 800 book levels, your child may select a prize. Once your child has listened to 1,000 books, they may choose a free book and will have their name displayed on a bookworm in the children’s area to celebrate their accomplishment. 

Baby Cuddle Time (6-17 months) 

Mondays in the Children’s Area from 10:30-11:00 AM 

Spring Session: Mondays, March 2, 9, 16, and 30 and April 6 and 13

For babies and an adult (parent, grandparent, or caregiver). Cuddle close with your baby and enjoy songs, rhymes, bounces, and stories together. Learn easy activities you can do with your baby at home to develop early literacy skills. Registration is not required. 

Spring Toddler & Preschool Storytime Registration: 

The age of your child on February 23 will determine the class you select. 

Toddler Tales (18 to 41 months)

Wednesdays, March 4, 11, and 18 and April 1, 8, and 15 

Select either the 9:30-10:15 AM or 10:30-11:15 AM class.

For toddlers and an adult  (parent, grandparent, or caregiver). Now that your child is moving and active, join us for stories, singing, dancing, and activities that will help your toddler develop a love of books and reading. The first 15 minutes are for self-directed exploration, where toddlers can engage in developmentally appropriate math, writing, fine motor, and gross motor stations.  Registration is required. Limit 16 toddlers in each session.

Both Toddler Tales classes are full. Please email wtorrence@tippcitylibrary.org to be waitlisted. Include your name, the child’s name, the child’s age, a phone number, and the class time desired. 

Preschool Storytime (3 ½ years- 5 years) 

Thursdays, March 5, 12, and 19 and April 2, 9, and 16 

Select either the 10:00-10:45 AM or 11:15 AM-12:00 PM class.

Get your preschoolers ready to read by immersing them in wonderful stories that will engage them and get them excited about reading. This storytime offers opportunities for children to sing, play, talk, write, paint, and engage in a variety of creative learning activities. An adult is encouraged to attend with the child. Registration is required.  Limit 16 preschoolers in each session.

The 10:00 AM class is FULL. 

Register HERE for the 11:15 AM class. –5 openings

In the downstairs Meeting Room, from 4-5 PM on Tuesday, March 10 & 31, and April 14 & 28

The dogs are coming!!! That’s right–therapy dogs Willow, Murphy, Nick, Grace, and Rylee are on their way to give children in grades 1-5 an opportunity to practice reading aloud in a stress-free environment with a furry friend. Children may either come with a book of their own or select one of our books from a basket. Each reading slot is ten minutes long; each dog will see five readers. Registration is required. Call the library at 937-667-3826 to register your child. 

Friday, March 13, from 1:30-3:00 PM in the downstairs Meeting Room

For homeschoolers in grades 3-5, this engaging program will examine an artist each month and  teach an art technique to help you recreate one of the artist’s masterpieces with your own creative flair. This month, our featured artist will be Amedeo Modigliani.

Registration is required, with a limit of 12 children in grades 3-5. Register HERE. 

Friday, March 20, from 2-3 PM in the downstairs Meeting Room

Join your fellow grade 1-5 homeschool book lovers for a discussion of what you’ve read recently and hands-on extension activities that will help deepen your appreciation and understanding of literature. This month we will focus on using illustrations to spark stories. No registration is required—just drop in and bring a book you’ve really enjoyed.

LEGO Builders’ Club:

Saturday, March 21 from 11 AM-12 PM in the downstairs Meeting Room 

What amazing LEGO creation can you build either by yourself or with a group of friends? We will display all of the themed creations in the children’s area for three weeks so that you can have bragging rights. Students must be in grades K-5 to participate. Registration is NOT required.

Creative Corner:

March 2-7: Celebrate Your Name: Weigh your name, research your name, and/or make a name bug. 

March 9-21: Make a Snail for Spring 

Contest:

March 9-28: Guess the Spring Candy–closest guess wins the jar of candy! 

March 23-April 4: Find the Baby Birds Scavenger Hunt