MARCH of the Animals

It's almost a new month, it's almost March! That's the month that we hope comes in like a LION and goes out like a LAMB. Let's focus on animals this month! There are five Mondays in March, so we could have a take-home animal craft kit (and an animal story read-aloud, if I can find one) for each new week. I have some ideas already, but I'd love to hear from you. In the comments below, tell me which animals you would like to see included in our "Animal March"!

photo by KBicknell

Snowflakes!

If you're like me, you've been dreaming of Spring! But we know realistically that winter will be here at least for a few weeks longer. So this week's take-home craft is coffee filter snowflakes - because they're fun for all ages, they can be enhanced with the addition of color, and they can be as simple or as intricate as you like. And because some of the most beautiful snowflakes fall as winter ends. The kit has folding and cutting instructions and eight flat (ironed!) coffee filters. Let us know if you need more and, as always, we'd love to see your creations. 

Here's one of my favorite read-aloud stories to go along with this week's craft. This book is set in Vermont, it's about a little boy with a big dream, and it's illustrated by one of my favorite New England artists. And, I just realized this: while filming, I did not answer a math question! The first patron to find it and post the correct answer in the comments gets a free book! 

Pup & Bear

Mid-February Craft Kits for Kids

Do you want to build a snowman? This week's craft kits will give you some materials to make your own snowy picture to hang on your door, your fridge, or a wall. It's filled with felt circles, paper scraps, pompoms, pieces of ribbon, and cotton so your child can create their own snowy scene! As always, we would love to see photos of the finished creations. Call the library or email us for a kit!

Speaking of snow, forty-plus years ago New England saw the Blizzard of '78. I'm not sure what it was like here in NH, but in Massachusetts we had almost four feet of snow. I was a first grade teacher at the time with a 3 year old at home. I went to bed wondering if we'd have school the next day and woke up to more snow than I'd seen in a long time! We didn't go back to school for two weeks!

John Rocco has written a children's book based on his experiences as a 10 year-old during this very blizzard. We have the book here at the library if you want to read it! There's a read-aloud of it, here - and it's not me!  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4IPmDmXzT1o

A 💖 Story for Valentine's Day!

It's almost Valentine's Day, so here's a story about LOVE - from a cute little dog's point of view! 

You can make your own cute little Valentine puppy if you call or email for a kit from the library, or maybe you can just cut your own hearts at home! You saw mine. I just moved the hearts around until I found a dog face I loved, then I glued all the pieces to the black paper. I also gave him some crayon spots on his cute little ears! 

Happy Valentine's Day! 💖