Children's Department

The Children’s Department of the Wallingford Public Library is the place to read, play, learn and grow! Here you’ll find everything for children from birth through age twelve as well as for the adults who work and play with them.

Check out the following for just a sample of what the library has to offer.

Fireside Stories

This special storytelling series, for families with children ages 5 and up, has been made possible thanks to a generous donation from Barbara Kennedy Shortell, a longtime Library supporter and former English teacher in Wallingford. The programs are free and will take place in front of the fireplace in the Children’s Library.

Leeny Del Seamonds
Friday, February 12th at 7:00 p.m.
With high energy, a sense of humor and love of performing, Leeny Del Seamonds captures the audience’s imagination through original Latino and multicultural stories. Leeny, an award–winning storyteller, infuses a mix of voices and love of people into her stories keeping her audience captivated until the very end.

Tom Lee
Friday, February 26th at 7:00 p.m.
Tom Lee’s extensive collection of stories passed down through the ages has been gathered through years of research. Some are quick and some take time to tell, but all of them delight and engage. Tom’s enthusiasm for his stories keeps the audience enchanted.

We hope that all interested listeners over the age of five will join us!

Family Game Night: Unplugged!

Families are invited to join us on Friday, February 19th at 7:00 p.m. for our first Family Game Night: Unplugged. We’ll provide the games and set up the Children’s Library for all sorts of game board fun.

Flow Circus

Thursday, February 18th at 7:00 p.m. in the Community Room
Flow Circus is a the ever-popular one-man show that everyone adores! Join us for “Read Yourself Silly”

Adventures in Art: Time to Clay

Thursday, February 18th at 10:30 a.m. in the Children's Program Room
Kids age 7, 8 and 9 who like to work with their hands are invited to participate in a creative workshop where they will learn about clay, make coil or pinch pots and pain ceramic boxes. Register in the Children's Library.

James and the Giant Peach

Wednesday, February 17th at 2:00 p.m. in the Community Room
A Choate Rosemary Hall student production of Roald Dahl’s famous story. Free tickets available for kids K-5.

Winter Storytimes

A whole new season of storytime fun has begun. Be sure to check the calendar for these and other programs being offered in the Children’s Library.

Itty Bitty Babies
For 12 months and under
Thursdays, 1:00 p.m. beginning January 14
Children’s Program Room

Musical Mother Goose
For Ones and Twos
Tuesdays, 6:30 p.m. beginning January 12
Wednesdays, 10:00 a.m. beginning January 13
Community Room

Preschool Storytimes
For Three to Five Year-Olds
Tuesdays, 10:00 a.m. beginning January 12
Wednesdays, 1:30 p.m. beginning January 12
Thursdays, 6:30 p.m. beginning January 14
Children’s Program Room

VOTE

January is the month when all 4th, 5th, and 6th grade students are encouraged to vote for their favorite Nutmeg Book. There will be a ballot box next to the Nutmeg display during the month of January. Cast your votes! The winner is announced on Valentine’s Day. The brand new Nutmeg Nominees for 2011 will be on display in February.

Homework Help

Mrs. Cabrera is available to help students on Mondays and Wednesdays from 4:00 to 8:00 p.m. in the Children’s Room when school is in session.

Mrs. Cabrera is a bilingual teacher and can help children who speak Spanish and English.

This program is funded by the Wallingford Board of Education.

Bookflix

Bookflix entertains your kids with remarkable video storybooks and enhances their learning at the same time. This interactive site, for kids preschool through grade two, pairs fiction and non-fiction and offers games to enhance literacy skills. Enter your Wallingford library card number and you’re on your way.