Book a Children's Librarian
While we are unable to hold in-person library programs, we want to offer you this unique opportunity to Book-a-Children's-Librarian! Perfect for preschools, daycares, friend groups, and extended families--choose a theme (dinosaurs, things-that-go, dogs, cats, autumn, you name it!) and a time that works for your group and Mrs. Tricia will design a storytime just for you! Each 30 minute Zoom session will include introductions, songs, several books, and a puppet or two! Limit one session per week. Email Mrs. Tricia [email protected] with BOOK MY STORYTIME as the subject and she will get back to you ASAP.
Brave the Page: Participate in National Novel Writing Month! November 1 - 30
Mondays: 4:00 pm
November 2 - 30
Virtual Writing Program for Grades 4-6
November is National Novel Writing Month! A fun, empowering approach to creative writing.
The challenge: draft an entire novel in just one month. For 30 wild, exciting, surprising days, you get to lock away your inner editor, let your imagination take over, and just create! Participants will work independently throughout the month and meet together virtually on Monday afternoons to check-in, do some “word sprints,” and get those word counts up!
All participants will receive a copy of the book, Brave the Page: A Young Writer’s Guide to Telling Epic Stories. Register before November 1st, to receive a copy of your book and instructions on how to sign-up for NaNoWriMo!
Click here to register.
Registration is Required to receive the Zoom link to this program.
B
rave the Page is generously sponsored by Litchfield Education Foundation.
Virtual Family Day! Gingerbread Decorating Contest & Special Performer : Happy Birds!
Saturday, December 12 at 11:30 am - 1:00 pm For All Ages
We may not be able to meet in-person this year for OWL’s Family Day but we are determined not to miss out on this wonderful annual tradition.
Join us at 11:30 for a Family Gingerbread Decorating Contest with special community judges! Families will have the option to register for Option A: a gingerbread house kit with pre-baked walls and roof, plus prepared royal icing, and assorted candy decorations OR if you love to bake together and want more options for decorating you can
choose Option B: a package of gingerbread mix with a gingerbread man cookie cutter. The two choices will be judged separately. We can’t wait to see where your imaginations take you.
Beginning December 7th pick up your gingerbread materials Curbside at OWL and get baking/decorating! Special prizes will be awarded to the winners. One entry per family.
Stick around after the contest to see a performance by HAPPY BIRDS at noon! This exciting virtual show features a group of talented birds that perform adorable feats and tricks. Located in the Bay Area of California, we are so lucky to have the opportunity to see this exciting and fun virtual performance in our cold corner of Connecticut. Happy Holidays!
Letters are Characters Literacy Kits
For Parents/Caregivers & Children ages 3 - 7
Next Session Begins in January 2021
Parents are children’s first and most important teachers, and reading is a child’s first and most important subject. The goal of this program is to provide essential information for you, the parents and caregivers, while at the same time providing you the tools that you need to help your child understand the letter/sound (grapheme/phoneme) relationship, an essential step for reading acquisition for all readers.
It is play-based and fun - a curriculum for both you and your child! The letters are characters (with personalities) that you and your child can play with. Every parent and caregiver needs to understand some important things about reading to ensure that children read to their highest potential and are protected in the event of reading acquisition struggles. This program will provide all the information that you need. The first 25 patrons to register (using eventbrite) will receive a free kit that includes hands-on multisensory activities to do at home. Each week you will receive an email to guide you in the process.
You will receive:
- A Copy of Letters Are Characters (to check-out and return upon program completion)
- Educational Companion Coloring Sheets (yours to keep)
- Letter Dough Power - just add water to make your letter dough that you will use for multisensory education activities - kids love this activity! (yours to keep)
Registration is required to receive a kit. To register click here.
Questions? Email Caroline Ugurlu (aka Dr. Caroline) at [email protected]
12 for 12 reading Challenge: Read 12 books in 12 months
Register now for this ongoing reading program!
Join anytime for exciting new content and incentives.
For Grades K-12
Registration Is Required. Click Here
"The simplest way to make sure that we raise literate children is to teach them to read, and to show them that reading is a pleasurable activity. And that means, at its simplest, finding books that they enjoy, giving them access to those books, and letting them read them." --Neil Gaiman
Come read with us this year! We are challenging all children in grades K through 12 to read 12 books in 12 months. 1 book of your choice, 1 book that you are dying to read, 1 book that is totally and completely JUST FOR FUN for each month of the year! Reading should be a joyous, empathy-building, eye-opening experience which is why we are challenging you to read for pleasure.
Once you register, you will receive a copy of a reading log with your welcome email. There will also be printed copies available at OWL and through Curbside Service.
We would love to see the books you choose, so all participants will have access to a special message board where you can post pics of your your book choices, submit one-sentence book reviews, and share recommendations with your fellow readers.
Click here to register.
1,000 Books Before Kindergarten
Register now for this ongoing reading program!
Join anytime for exciting new content and incentives.
Children Ages Birth - 5 Years
Click Here To Register
The concept is simple, the rewards are priceless. Read a book (any book) to your newborn, infant, and/or toddler. The goal is to have read 1,000 books (yes you can repeat books) before your precious one starts kindergarten.
Does it sound hard? Not really if you think about it. If you read just one book a night, you will have read about 365 books in a year. That is 730 books in two years and 1,095 books in three years. If you consider that most children start kindergarten at around 5 years of age, you have more time than you think (so get started).
The key is perseverance. Make it exciting. That’s where OWL can help, check out as many books as you can carry to keep your reading choices fresh and fun - although we know you will also be repeating a lot of favorites with your little one which is wonderful in its own way.
When your child reaches a milestone - every 100 books - come to OWL for a book-based reward and a reading log for your next 100 books. Are you ready to get started?
Registration is Required to receive your welcome kit.
Click here to register.
Questions? Email Patrica Moore (aka Mrs. Tricia) at [email protected]
MORE Information about Zoom:
All of our Virtual Zoom Events are live. They are not recorded. To participate/join the event, you need to use the exact link connected to the event. Once you click on the link at the specified date and time, you will be prompted to open Zoom, the virtual meeting program we are using. All you need is an internet connection and a device or computer with a webcam and audio. Most computers have built-in webcams. No passwords or confirmation codes, just click the link and follow the prompts.
Still having difficulty understanding how to access Zoom: email [email protected] to set-up a virtual Book-a-Librarian and we will go over it with you.
More security, more privacy: In response to concerns about privacy in a virtual meeting space, we have enabled additional security features in Zoom and updated our meeting links to be protected, private, and secure. These new, unique links can be accessed solely through our e-newsletters.To receive secure information regarding these events, please subscribe to our e-newsletter! Click here to subscribe If you misplace the email and need the link again, email [email protected]