Events for Kids & Families
Get creative and make your art come alive! In this hands-on program for kids in grades 3–5, we’ll design and build simple moving pictures using sliders and storytelling.
Disclaimer(s)
Behavior Clause for School-Age Programs
By registering for this program, participants agree to conduct themselves in a respectful and appropriate manner. Disruptive, inappropriate, or unsafe behavior toward staff, presenters, or fellow attendees will not be tolerated and may result in removal from the program and/or restriction from future library events. Parents or guardians are responsible for the behavior of their children during all youth and family programs. The library reserves the right to take appropriate action as needed to ensure a welcoming and safe environment for all.
Make Your Own Mouse Ears! (3-5 Years)
Join us for activities to celebrate Minnie Mouse's Birthday! Leave with a pair of your own mouse ears!
Lil' Athletes: Basketball (2-4 Years)
Join Lil’ Athletes for basketball practice! Children learn to dribble, shoot, pass, and other fun and exciting basketball skills.
STEAM Club: Native American Spin Drums (Grades 3-5)
Learn about indigenous heritage with us as we create a traditional Native American instrument.
Disclaimer(s)
Behavior Clause for School-Age Programs
By registering for this program, participants agree to conduct themselves in a respectful and appropriate manner. Disruptive, inappropriate, or unsafe behavior toward staff, presenters, or fellow attendees will not be tolerated and may result in removal from the program and/or restriction from future library events. Parents or guardians are responsible for the behavior of their children during all youth and family programs. The library reserves the right to take appropriate action as needed to ensure a welcoming and safe environment for all.
Sprouts & Friends (Birth-5 Years)
Sprouts & Friends is a music and movement program for families with children. Our mission is to create joy while we play, learn and grow together. Come ready to move and sing with your child.
Boo-tiful Books for You
-
Little Boo
Little Boo is the best! Until Little Boo is the worst...Why couldn't Big Boo have a little witch or even a little vampire for a younger sibling? A picture book featuring a pesky little sibling paired with gentle social emotional learning--perfect for Halloween or any time of year when a new baby arrives and brings change.
When the antics of their little sibling start to get to Big Boo, they decide to trade for a friend's younger sibling, Little Howl. At first this seems like a great idea, but soon enough Big Boo finds that the grass isn't always greener and Little Howl is a whole new level of monster. This sweet and humorous story about sibling relationships acknowledges the frustrations but, ultimately, the love that comes with a new addition to the family.
-
I Am Santa (Disney Tim Burton's The Nightmare Before Christmas)
This Little Golden Book introduces young readers to Santa, his home, and his frightfully fun journey to Halloween Town from Disney Tim Burton’s The Nightmare Before Christmas!
Santa Claus’s life in Christmas Town–a land full of fluffy snow, colorful lights, and jolly songs–is a true holiday dream . . . until three sneaky Trick or Treaters show up at his door! Find out what happens from Santa's point of view in this Little Golden Book, the perfect holiday gift for kids ages 2 to 5, and Disney Tim Burton's The Nightmare Before Christmas fans, and collectors of all ages!
Little Golden Books enjoy nearly 100% consumer recognition. They feature hot licenses, beloved classics, and new original stories . . . the classics of tomorrow. -
Murray's Howl-O-ween
From #1 New York Times bestselling A Day in the Life of Marlon Bundo illustrator E. G. Keller comes a hilarious autumnal tale about a city dog-out-of-water and his first Halloween
Murray loves the smells, sidewalks, and hydrants of his city neighborhood--which is why he isn't looking forward to a trip to some awful place called . . . The Country.
Away from the comforting familiarity of home, he comes nose-to-nose with strange things at every turn--and even worse, it's Halloween! From the costumes to the decorations, the pumpkin patches to the scarecrows to a new cat foe, everything is scary.
Will Murray face his frights, or cower under the couch with his stuffy toy? -
Disney Tim Burton's The Nightmare Before Christmas: You're My Little Nightmare
Celebrate your little nightmare with this rhyming board book featuring some of your favorite characters from Disney Tim Burton’s The Nightmare Before Christmas!
USA Today Bestselling Title!
National Bestselling Series—More Than 4.1 Million Books Sold!
Disney Tim Burton's Nightmare Before Christmas: You’re My Little Nightmare is a hauntingly adorable board book to share with your littlest Tim Burton fan! With chunky pages for little hands and die-cut shapes of characters from Disney Tim Burton's The Nightmare Before Christmas, children will love the cute illustrations of Jack, Sally, Oogie Boogie, Lock, Shock, and Barrel, and Sandy Claws (aka, Santa Claus). This endearing board book with rhyming text that celebrates a parent’s love for their child is a wonderful read for Halloween or any time.
Get to know the You're My Little series from Silver Dolphin Books!
From Valentine’s Day to Christmas Day and every day in between, the bestselling You’re My Little series is cute as can be—and fun too! Pages from these delightful books feature adorable illustrations by Natalie Marshall, as well as shaped cut-outs, raised elements, or even stickers. Perfect for cuddling up with your little one, these sweet rhyming stories celebrate a parent’s love for their child. -
This Little Monster
Illustrated by award-winning artist Kathryn Selbert, this Halloween-themed board book is a twist on the “This Little Piggy” nursery rhyme full of sweet friends and gentle haunts!
This little monster went to the market.
This little monster stayed home.
This little monster brewed sweet treats.
This little monster made none.
Follow a group of adorably spooky friends as they prepare for the ultimate Halloween night. A shy ghost looms nearby, hoping to be invited to the celebration. Will these little monsters lead him all the way to the haunted home? -
I'll Love You Till the Bats Say Boo
From the team behind the bestselling I'll Love You Till series comes a sturdy board book just right for little hands and their first Halloween--a must-have for fans of the series.
And after trick-or-treating's done, I'll love you past the setting sun, up to the moon so high above, as starlight twinkles out my love...
A perfect combo of boundless love and "toddler's first Halloween," this sweetly funny board book from Kathryn Cristaldi and Kristyna Litten is sure to become a household favorite to be read over and over. Look out for a cameo from our favorite Cows!
I'll Love You Till the Bats Say Boo is perfect for giving, whether it be for a baby shower, birthday, or Halloween. The story stands beautifully on its own or can be paired with its companion stories, I'll Love You Till the Crocodile Smiles and I'll Love You Till the Cows Come Home, which ALA Booklist described as a bedtime read-aloud that is "both hilarious and comforting."
Don't miss these other books in the series:
· I'll Love You Till the Cows Come Home
· I'll Love You Till the Crocodiles Smile
-
Little Ghost Makes a Friend
A shy ghost learns the secret to making friends is being his spooky, sparkly self in this charming debut picture book that’s perfect for fans of Stumpkin.
Little Ghost and his mom have been happily haunting their creaky old house for years, just the two of them. When a new girl moves in next door, Little Ghost wants to introduce himself. But making friends can be scary…until he comes up with the perfect plan: he’s going to invite her over for a Halloween party! But what costume will make her want to be friends with him? -
The Zombees
“This charming read-aloud will be requested on repeat.” —School Library Journal (starred review)
A swarm of zombie bees invades an unsuspecting town on Halloween night in this delightfully spooky picture book from the author of The Quacken—perfect for fans of Creepy Carrots and Los Gatos Black on Halloween.
What’s that creepy buzzing sound coming from the graveyard ground?
ZOMBEES!
When these undead insects invade, they send everyone fleeing in fright.
Are they hunting for a snack?
Do they like the taste of veins?
Have they come to eat your brains?!
Find out in this rhyming Halloween tale with an unexpected twist! -
Bears and Boos
The adorable bears are excited to dress up for Halloween — but are there enough costumes for everyone?
Big Brown Bear and the four little bears can’t wait to dress up for Halloween. Everyone grabs their costumes from the costume box, but — oops! — in the rush, Floppy is knocked on her furry behind, and now there are no costumes left for her! Fuzzy says she’s sorry and offers Floppy a golden gown. Then each of the other bears shares an item with Floppy, and soon she’s dressed like a queen — just in time for the parade! Shirley Parenteau and David Walker combine cheerful read-aloud rhyme and irresistibly charming art in another story for the youngest cubs and their big bears. -
Creepy Sheepy
From New York Times bestselling illustrator of The Big Cheese and the Food Group series, Pete Oswald, and critically acclaimed author Lucy Ruth Cummins comes a Halloween adventure for Sleepy Sheepy. A story all about learning when to blend in and when to stand out that is perfect for fans of Pig the Monster and Creepy Pair of Underwear!
It's Halloween, which means Sleepy Sheepy needs to find the perfect costume for trick-or-treating! And Sheepy MUST be the scariest, hairiest, werewolf of all!
But on Halloween night, the costume just doesn't fit right, and when Sheepy steps outside, there are packs of werewolves everywhere! How will he stand out and be the creepiest sheepy of all?
From celebrated author Lucy Ruth Cummins and brought to life by #1 New York Times bestselling illustrator Pete Oswald, Creepy Sheepy is a silly and clever Halloween read-aloud all about marching to the beat of your own drum!
Don't miss the other books in the series, Sleepy Sheepy and Sleepy Sheepy and the Sheepover!
Praise for Creepy Sheepy:
"Not too sweet and not too scary, this one is just right. A cute addition to any Halloween shelf." --Kirkus reviews
"Oswald creates colorful, sweet illustrations that emphasize characters and keep backgrounds simple to guide the reader’s focus. With charming rhythm, rhymes, and clever wordplay, Cummins celebrates the importance of individuality." --Booklist -
This Year, a Witch!
Four starred reviews!
In this “inspiring…delightful” (School Library Journal, starred review) picture book offering a twist on the trick-or-treat trope, a feisty little girl has had enough of her parents picking cutesy Halloween costumes for her—this year, a witch!
A little girl has been every adorable thing you can imagine for Halloween, and she is done with being cuddly, sweet, and precious. This year, she’s rebelling big-time and going for a totally different vibe: the spookiest thing out there. She’s going to be…a witch!
With only a little help from Dad, she works hard on her witchy locks, brew, spells and enchantments, and power to petrify. But what happens when what she sees in the mirror is so spooky, she scares even herself? Nothing that an understanding dad—and maybe a quick restorative nap—can’t handle. -
Scary Shark: a Jaw-Some Halloween
Edgar and Lotta return with a scarily funny Halloween follow-up to Santa Shark and Pizza Shark, from New York Times bestselling creator Mike Lowery!
Edgar the Shark and his best friend Lotta team up once more in this hilarious Halloween tale! It's Halloween night, and Edgar the Shark is frightened of all the scary creatures floating just outside his window. Luckily, his best friend Lotta is there to show him Halloween is just a day to pretend to be scary. Together they carve jack- o-lanternfish, hang magni-fish-ent decorations, and choose the pretend-scariest costumes they can think of! But will that be enough to help Edgar prove he's not a scaredy-catfish?
With laugh-out-loud humor and trick-or-treat themed fun, this is a can't-miss story perfect for readers looking for treats, not tricks, this Halloween! So get ready for a much-needed underwater adventure from New York Times bestselling and beloved creator, Mike Lowery!
With laugh-out-loud humor, and trick-or-treat themed fun, this is a can't-miss story perfect for readers looking for treats, not tricks, this Halloween! So get ready for a much needed underwater adventure from New York Times bestselling and beloved creator, Mike Lowery!
-
¡Vamos! Let's Celebrate Halloween and Día de Los Muertos
A Junior Library Guild Selection!
A Common Sense Selection!
A School Library Journal Best Book!
From New York Times bestselling, three-time Pura Belpré Award-winning author-illustrator Raúl the Third, ¡Vamos! Let's Celebrate Halloween and Día de los Muertos follows Little Lobo and friends on a Halloween and Día de los Muertos adventure in the first World of ¡Vamos! holiday book!
Little Lobo is celebrating two big holidays this fall!
On Halloween, Little Lobo and his friends dress up in costumes, trick-or-treat for candy, and share spooky stories. Then everyone in the town prepares food, drinks, and other gifts and decorates the cemetery with ofrendas so they can enjoy Día de los Muertos with the spirits of the people they love. Join Little Lobo and his friends as they celebrate!
Full of easy-to-remember Spanish vocabulary and packed with cultural details, this colorful story of two fall holidays brings the celebrations of this border town to readers everywhere!
-
Grizelda the Green Hates Halloween
Told in silly, rhyming text, this is a not-so-scary Halloween tale about a grouchy old witch named Grizelda the Green who tries to destroy Halloween! Perfect for fans of Room on the Broom and How to Catch a Witch!
There's an old witch in town named Grizelda the Green.
She's sour and grouchy and HATES Halloween!
"Year after year, kids keep finding my door.
I'm fed up and frazzled! I can't take anymore!"
Meet Grizelda the Green. She's a grouchy old witch and she absolutely, positively, HATES Halloween! So this year, she's cooked up a plan to end the holiday once and for all. But both she and the trick-or-treaters are in for some surprises that will make this the most memorable Halloween ever!
Told in silly and clever rhyme by bestselling author A. A. Livingston, and brought to life with bright and colorful art by Katya Longhi, Grizelda the Green Hates Halloween is perfect for not-so-scary Halloween storytimes and for fans of Room on the Broom and How to Catch a Witch!
Praise for Grizelda the Green Hates Halloween:
"The rhyming text results in an ideal preschool read-aloud, with the bouncing stanzas keeping a snappy pace . . . A fresh trick-or-treating tale with plenty of read-aloud potential." --Kirkus reviews
"This book will bring lighthearted cheer to young readers . . .A good addition for libraries seeking to enhance their young children’s Halloween collections." SLJ reviews
"A fun read . . . A.A. Livingston’s use of rhythm and rhyme makes the text delightfully trip off the tongue."-- Portland Book Review
"Grizelda the Green Hates Halloween is a fun and silly book that is told in rhyme, which is perfect for ringing in Halloween." --YA and Kids Books Central
"Original, clever, and a fun read from cover to cover, Grizelda the Green Hates Halloween is thoroughly 'kid friendly' and unreservedly recommended for Halloween picture book collections." --Midwest Book Review/Children's Book Watch -
Hap-Pea Halloween
Keith Baker’s New York Times bestselling peas celebrate Halloween in this picture book filled with kids’ favorite parts of spooky season!
It’s Halloween, and that means plenty of frightful fun for everyone’s favorite pea pals! Costumes and candy await in this treat of a Halloween tale.
Welcoming Fall
-
Gather Grateful
Lyrical prose and luminous illustrations welcome the arrival of fall in a season of community and thanksgiving.
Gather twigs and sticks to nest.
Gather safety, strength, and rest.
Gather up and fly away.
Gather close. Prepare to stay.
As colors in nature start to change, animals begin gathering items--squirrels their acorns, crows their treasures, raccoons the bits and pieces needed to fortify their homes. Animals of all species prepare to gather with each other too, for warmth, for affection, for sharing food or stories. With lilting, rhythmic prose, Megan Litwin heralds the beginning of the season and follows the transition of animals and humans as they prepare for the coming winter. Alexandra Finkeldey's striking limited palette, capturing the preparations outside and in, brings this story of love and gratitude to quietly glowing life. -
A Great Fall
In the fourth book in the Bat, Cat & Rat series—a companion to the Theodor Seuss Geisel Award–winning Vacation—from New York Times bestsellers Ame Dyckman and Mark Teague, the roommates bring their own fun to some classic fall festivities in three-and-a-half sweet and silly stories.
Fall is here, and it brings a slew of exciting autumnal adventures for best friends Bat, Cat, and Rat, from leaf-raking romps to peculiar pumpkin picking to the trials of trick-or-treating.
In “Raking,” falling leaves make for extra chores—and extra pranks.
In “Picking,” each member of the trio has their own unique idea about what makes the perfect pumpkin.
In “Costuming,” the roommates each work on their costume creations in secret, and the big reveal brings a big surprise!
Bat, Cat, and Rat’s irresistible friendship and amusing antics are sure to have kids laughing along. -
One More Acorn
When beloved and award-winning picture-book author and illustrator Don Freeman died in 1978, his son, Roy, inherited his father's vast archive of art and stories. In that treasure trove, Roy recently discovered some artwork and a story set in Washington, D.C., about a squirrel gathering nuts for the winter. The project was promising but unfinished, so Roy decided to partner with his father-thirty years after his death-to bring the book to life.
One More Acorn is more than an adorable, heartwarming story about a squirrel looking for that one last acorn-it's a son's homage to his father. And having an all-new original Don Freeman picture book is a true publishing event.
-
Sneeze, Big Bear, Sneeze!
It's autumn, and Big Bear thinks that his sneezes are causing the leaves and the apples to fall from the trees and the geese to fly away...until the wind convinces him otherwise. Cozy illustrations rendered in pencil and mixed media add warmth and humor to a story that children will love.
-
Stickler Loves the World
From award-winning author/illustrator Lane Smith comes Stickler, a woodland creature who reminds us to appreciate the everyday wonders we often ignore. In a picture book that’s both silly and sweet, readers will find Stickler’s enthusiasm irresistible and see the world anew.
A Junior Library Guild selection • NAMED ONE OF THE BEST BOOKS OF THE YEAR BY People Magazine • Kirkus Reviews • The Boston Globe • The Evanston Public Library
And just think of the wonders we must pass every day without even noticing!
Stickler, an original character covered in sticks and with multiple ever-changing eyes, loves its little world. With best friend Crow, it shares the wonders of all the amazing things the world has to offer. Stickler is astonished by the ordinary, such as the sun and the stars, as well as fascinated by those things in nature that are often overlooked, such as swirling seed pods falling from the sky. The two pals wander about the world, stopping to appreciate the many marvels along the way, especially its beloved sticks, each one unique.
Stickler Loves the World encourages awareness and mindfulness with a joyous and lighthearted touch. The award-winning illustrator of bestsellers including Penguin Problems and Giraffe Problems brings imagination and humor to a story that features a delightful and original character. -
Amara's Farm
Amara searches for pumpkins on her farm in this vibrant exploration of gardening and healthy eating, from the Where in the Garden? series.
Amara is hosting a potluck for friends on her farm, and she needs help finding her pumpkins to serve a tasty dish. What do we know about pumpkins? They're large, round, and orange—and, wait a minute, is that a pumpkin? No, that's an apple. Where, oh, where could those pumpkins be? Can you help Amara find them in time for her potluck?
The first title in the Where in the Garden? picture book series stars Amara, a young Black girl who explores the crops growing on her family's intergenerational farm. Playful text guides young readers to hunt for visual clues and compare and contrast the unique characteristics of pumpkins against okra, cauliflower, eggplant, and other produce that grows on Amara's farm.
Artist Samara Hardy brings this multi-layered story to life with vivid, cheerful illustrations created from layers of hand painted ink and watercolor texture. Back matter includes a yummy molasses pumpkin bread recipe for little chefs and their adult helpers to try together. -
Hello, Harvest Moon
While tired farmers and their families are in bed, the harvest moon silently climbs into the sky and starts working its magic. For some, it is the nightly signal to rise and shine. It is time to hunt, to work, or to play in the shadows. For a little girl and her cat, it is an invitation to enjoy the wonders of the night and a last flood of light before the short days of winter set in. With an evocative text and radiant illustrations, this companion to Twilight Comes Twice offers a glimpse of nature's nightlife long after bedtime.
-
Oliver Finds His Way
A small bear looks for—and finds—courage and a way home.
While Mama hangs the wash out
and Papa rakes the leaves,
Oliver chases a big yellow leaf . . .
Oliver is so intent on following a blowing autumn leaf that he doesn’t even notice that he’s lost his way. All alone at the edge of the woods, he starts to cry. He cries and cries - but he is still lost. And so he rubs his nose and tries to think. . . .
With characteristic warmth, humor, and a firm faith in the power of pluck, Phyllis Root quietly captures a big, defining moment in the world of a small child. -
Leaf Trouble
As the leaves on the trees go from green to red and gold, two curious squirrels embrace the change of seasons!
When he wakes up one morning to find that his home tree is changing, the little squirrel is scared! Why are all the leaves falling off?
Quickly he corrals his sister and they gather up the leaves in colorful pawfuls. But try as they may to stick them back on the branches, it's hopeless: Yellow, orange, red, and brown, all the leaves keep falling down!
It's only when their wise mama explains what happens in autumn that the two little squirrels understand the seasons are changing. Green leaves will sprout anew in spring! -
Bella's Fall Coat
Bella loves the sights and sounds of fall--the crinkle-crackle of fallen leaves, the crunch of crisp, red apples, the honking and flapping of migrating geese. She wants the season to last forever. She also wants her fall coat--the one her Grams made especially for her--to last forever. But the coat is worn-out and too small. . . . With a snip and a whir, Grams makes sure Bella will be warm when the first snowflakes fall. And Bella finds a perfect use for her old favorite coat--on the first snowman of the season. Adorned with beautiful fall oranges, reds, and yellows, and sprinkled with fun sound words, this read-aloud will help families celebrate both fall and winter.
-
Windy Days
Blustery wind, burns and shrieks
Nibbles on my nose and cheeksFor preschoolers, windy fall days mean excitement and play. Strong winds stimulate children and their surroundings, as though an invisible hand is shaking the world. Gentler breezes help plants scatter their seeds, set pinwheels in motion, and keep kite strings taut. But fiercer winds begin to sting the cheeks as they bring about a new season...
In Windy Days, author Deborah Kerbel once again captures the magic of early childhood awe and wonder with rhyming couplets as light as a breath of fresh air. Illustrator Miki Sato's unique tactile collage art pops off the page through its detailed use of hand-stitching and textural materials.
"Kerbel's couplets include both concrete details and more poetic abstractions. Sato's deceptively simple illustrations are almost tangible in their layers, showcasing an array of stitches, paper finishes, and fabric surfaces, and depicting an inclusive cast."--Publishers Weekly review of Snow Days
-
Flora's Very Windy Day
When Flora and her pesky little brother, Crispin, are whisked away by a swirling and swooping wind, she gets the opportunity of a lifetime: the chance to give her brother away. With tempting offers from a dragonfly, the man in the moon, and even the wind itself, she will find it difficult to choose. But Flora would do anything to get rid of Crispin, wouldn't she?
Jeanne Birdsall's utterly charming picture book debut takes flight in Matt Phelan's twisting, twirling watercolors, brimming with wit and whimsy.
Comics Plus for Children
Flipster
Hoopla
Library cardholders can access eBooks, eAudiobooks, Movies, TV shows, Comics, and Music all in one place.
Kanopy Kids
Libby for Kids
Riverhead Free Library cardholders can access a wide range of free eBooks and audiobooks for children via Libby.
Tumblebooks
Tumblebooks provides animated, talking picture books which teach kids the joy of reading in a format they’ll love.
Online Learning for Kids
ABC Mouse
ABCmouse is educational and fun and has more than 10,000 learning activities for ages 2-8+ (books, puzzles, educational games, science videos, art activities, songs) that encompass reading, math, science, social studies, art, and music—including more than 2,000 STEM and over 1,000 Spanish-language learning activities.
