Children’s News and Events for February 2024
Spend your Leap Day doing some extra good by contributing to a project to benefit our community! We will be making fleece tie blankets to donate to a local organization on Thursday, February 29.
Keep reading for more information on this wonderful event in addition to the storytimes, arts & crafts, and general merriment scheduled for Februrary, as well as our brand new Wonderbooks collection.
Discover the Wonder behind Wonderbooks!
Start off 2024 with an exciting, new way to read! Whether your child is just learning how to read or wants to try a different method of learning, our brand new collection of Wonderbooks will take them on an unforgettable reading adventure. Bring stories to life through the power of Wonderbooks! Featuring professional voice actors, music, and sound effects, Wonderbooks provide children and caregivers with an immersive learning experience.
What are Wonderbooks?
Wonderbooks are hardcover books with a pre-loaded audiobook player permanently attached inside the front cover. You won’t have to spend time worrying about losing a disc or finding batteries because Wonderbooks are an all-in-one chargeable device! This allows for screen-free multisensory learning that enables children to develop their vocabulary, their phonics, and their reading comprehension skills.
One of the most engaging parts of a Wonderbook is its Learning Mode! The story doesn’t end after you turn the last page. By switching the audiobook player from Reading Mode to Learning Mode, the narrator will lead an open-ended question session so your child can explore the themes they just read about. This is a powerful way to improve your child’s literacy comprehension skills and engages them in conversations about books.
Our Wonderbooks Collection
To start, we have added 25 Wonderbooks to our collection! These titles feature an array of characters you already love like Calm with the Very Hungry Caterpillar by Eric Carle as well as books brand new to our collection like I Love You More Than You’ll Ever Know by Leslie Odom Jr. and Nicolette Robinson.
Check out a Wonderbook for three weeks, and renew it up to three times. Each device includes a headphone jack, an external speaker, a play/pause button, volume controls, page-turning controls, a rechargeable battery, and a low battery indicator. While they have up to ten hours of battery life, checking out a Wonderbook may require you to have an USB cord to recharge it. Don’t have one? No problem! We circulate the chargers too.
You can find the Wonderbooks in our Youth Audiovisual section next to our Playaways and our newly circulating Tonies. Missed out on our blog post about Tonies? Learn about our new screen-free speaker that will introduce your child to independent storytelling through adorable figurines. Stop by the Library to see all the ways your child can fall in love with reading!
Children’s Events for February 2024
Seating is limited for some Children’s events. Call 262-532-8915 or register online to reserve your seat.
Storytimes
Little One Lapsit
Join us for a special storytime just for little ones! Share stories, songs, bounces, tickles, and giggles, all while building your little one’s early literacy skills. Best suited for ages 0 – 18 months and their caregivers.
Mondays at 9:30 AM
Community Room
Toddler Tales
Join us for stories, songs, and rhymes for toddlers (ages 18 months through 3 years) and their caregivers.
Mondays at 10:30 AM
Tuesdays & Thursdays at 9:30 AM
Community Room
Stories Alive
Join us for stories, songs, and rhymes for preschoolers ages 3 – 5 and their caregivers.
Tuesdays & Thursdays at 10:30 AM
10:30 AM
Community Room
Evening Story Time
Unwind together with a special evening storytime! Share favorite stories, songs, and activities to end the day. Best suited for ages two to school age and their caregivers.
Tuesday, February 13, at 6:15 PM
Children’s Program Room
Sensory Storytime
Specifically designed for children of all abilities who are not comfortable at a traditional storytime, this program combines traditional storytime components with extra supports to enhance the experience including stories, music, and free play. Best suited for children ages 3 – 6. Registration is required.
Saturday, February 17, at 10:00 AM
Children’s Program Room
Save my seat!
Infant, Toddler, & Preschool Events
For ages 0 – 5, unless otherwise noted.
Petite Picassos
Little artistsare invited to join us for a short storytime followed by an open-ended art project. Dress for a mess. Best suited for children ages 1 – 3. Registration is required.
Friday, February 9, at 9:30 AM & 10:30 AM
Children’s Program Room
Save my seat!
Stay and Play
We’ll provide the toys, you provide the fun! This drop-in playtime allows for children and their caregivers to explore, read together, and interact with other families. This program is best suited for children under five and their caregivers.
Wednesday, February 21, at 9:30 AM
Children’s Program Room
Future Architects
Let’s get building! We’ll provide the LEGOs, Lincoln Logs, Duplos, Mega Bloks, and more so builders of all ages can join in during this open play.
Saturday, February 24, at 10:00 AM
Community Room
School-Age Events
For Ages 5 – 12, unless otherwise noted.
Homeschool Fridays
Head to the Library for a morning of activities, games, and fun! Choose your own adventure: STEAM activities, board games, open building, crafting, and more!
Homeschool Fridays are geared toward ages 5 – 12, but older and younger siblings are welcome, too. Be sure to check out the Early Literacy Play Area near the Children’s Program Room for kids under five.
Teens ages 13 – 18 are invited to hang out in the Library’s Teen Space on the 2nd floor. They will find an assortment of board and card games, craft and creative writing prompts, gaming systems, and comfy spaces to read or work on assignments.
Friday, February 2, at 10:30 AM
Friday, February 16, at 10:30 AM
Children’s Program Room
LEGO Club
Calling all LEGO enthusiasts! Drop in for some creative building time. We’ll have suggested challenges for you to try, or you can build your own creation. Projects will be on display for the following month in the Children’s Department.
Wednesday, February 7, at 3:00 PM
Children’s Program Room
Cards and Cocoa
Cozy up with some cocoa while you decorate a card for someone special! We’ll provide the materials to make cards and cocoa while supplies lasts.
Thursday, February 8, at 3:00 PM
Community Room
Art Investigators – Special Saturday Edition!
Join us as we learn and investigate some of the famous (and not so famous) artists throughout history! We’ll read, talk, and create art of our own inspired by the artist. Ages 7 – 12. Registration is required.
Saturday, February 10, at 10:00 AM
Children’s Program Room
Save my seat!
Family Events
For families with children of all ages.
Leap Day Family Event
Spend your extra day doing some extra good! Kids ages 7 – 12 and their families are invited to spend part of your bonus day contributing to a project to benefit our community! We will be making fleece tie blankets to donate to a local organization. The library will provide all materials and take care of the logistics – all we need from you are helping hands! Registration is required.
Thursday, February 29, at 6:00 PM
Community Room
Save my seat!
Tween Events
Intended for ages 10 – 12. Tween programs are sponsored by the Menomonee Falls Library Friends.
Minecraft Club
Mine, explore, and build with other fans in our Minecraft Realm. Bring your own device or use one of ours! Registration is required.
Thursday, February 15, at 6:00 PM
Community Room
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Tween Graphic Novel Book Club
Calling all tweens! Come hang out, snack, and chat about the graphic book of the month. Copies of the book will be available starting Wednesday, January 17 at the Children’s Desk. Registration is required.
Wednesday, February 28, at 6:00 PM
Children’s Program Room
Save my seat!