Join us for Read Across America Day!

Today, March 2, 2021, is not only the birthday of Dr. Seuss but also Read Across America Day!

Dr. Seuss created many wonderful books with creative, memorable characters and easy-to-read, rhyming stories. For many of us, a Dr. Seuss book was the first book we owned. Thank you Dr. Seuss!

If you can’t get to the library and you are are looking for material to read online. Please check out these online sources. Happy Reading!

Free Books to Read Online

International Children’s Digital Library (ICDL)
The non-profit International Children’s Digital Library identifies exemplary books that help children to understand the world around them and the global society in which they live and makes them freely available on the Internet.

Free Audiobooks and Video Read Alouds

KidLit TV
Children can experience authors and illustrators reading their works through KidLit TV’s Read Out Loud program, which includes an array of titles featuring diverse people and cultures. Find more read-alouds, plus podcasts, activity ideas, book trailers, and more at their award-winning website.

Story Time from Space
Story Time from Space is a project of the Global Space Education Foundation, which sends children’s books to the International Space Station. While in space, astronauts record themselves on video reading these books to the children of Earth and share them on the Story Time from Space website.

Storyline Online
At Storyline Online, SAG-AFTRA Foundation records well-known actors reading children’s books and makes graphically dynamic videos so that children around the world can enjoy favorite stories, such as The Kissing Hand, A Bad Case of Stripes, and Stellaluna.

PBS KIDS Read-Alongs
PBS KIDS Read-Alongs offers families a place to come together and read along with favorite titles read by celebrities, including Michelle Obama, and PBS KIDS authors.

PBS Books Storytime
PBS Books Storytime is a resource developed by the PBS Books channel to offer author read-aloud stories and book features for educators, libraries and families. The segments feature children’s book authors and others in “Read-Aloud” segments and/or video features on new and best-loved children’s books.

Please share your photos of yourself and your children reading with the hashtag#CuyahogaReads2021.

Miss Donna happily reading Green Eggs and Ham by Dr. Seuss

Valentine’s Day Appreciation!

Several weeks ago, the Children’s Department made a request for Valentines for Rocky River First Respondors. The community response was phenomenal! We received over 100 greetings that were delivered to the police, fire department, and Mayor Bobst.

We wanted to say thank you so much for your efforts in showing your appreciation for those who keep us safe.. Each recipient was very happy to see the numerous cards and well wishes.

Happy Valentine’s Day!

It’s Winter! Time for Warm, Cozy Programs!

Mark your calendars! Registration for the Children’s winter programs is Saturday, January 9 at 9:00 am. As usual, there is an array of engaging virtual programs and craft kits for all ages! In addition to our regular and annual offerings:

Baby & Me Storytime @ Home

Twos & Threes Storytime @ Home

Kindergarten, Here I Come @ Home

Messy Art @ Home

Tech Tales @ Home

Movin’ with Books & Music

STEAM Studio

Book Babble

Friends, Fun & Valentines

Minecrafters: Home Edition

Smart Art @ Home

6th Annual Dr. Seuss Family Night Birthday Bash

Tween Creative Club

Tween Cooking Club

Going Graphic

Friday Fun Day

Guild of the Brick

New this season are:

Winter Reading Challenge For all ages January 1 to March 20 Join us for a special reading challenge–can you read 1,000 minutes by the end of March? Achieve this formidable goal simply by reading 15 minutes each day. Earn a raffle ticket at each 100-minute benchmark plus a prize and special recognition for finishing. Complete bonus family challenges for additional chances to enter drawings. Preregister on the Beanstack. Discover your Creative Power with GoldieBlox For students in grades 2-4 Wednesdays, January 13, February 10, and March 10 Utilize the GoldieBlox Maker’s Essential Toolboxes that were purchased with monies from the 2020 Cox Charities Northeast Community Grant, along with maker books, your imagination, and creativity to create a new DIY project each month. Pick up begins on the dates above. Head to Toe, Now I Know! For students in grades 2-3 Pick up begins Wednesday, February 24 Kids will have fun while they measure, move, balance, and learn how the body works with Ms. Cal. Family activity sheets included. Kids can also write a letter to share what they learned with a loved one. Celebrate Multicultural Children’s Book Day Family Event Friday, January 29 Discover virtually the cultural diversity of children’s literature through stories, songs, and a craft. Instructions for craft pick up will be emailed to registrants. Video link will be sent the day of the program. Celebrate World Read Aloud Day Family Event Thursday, February 4, 7:00 pm Get in your pajamas and get ready to snuggle as you listen to some bedtime stories to help celebrate the day via Zoom. Hope to see your family virtually soon!

Please join us for our 2021 Winter Reading Challenge!

The Winter Reading Challenge in the Children’s Department will be from Jan. 1 through March 20. Please register at rrpl.beanstack.org.

We challenge our patrons and their families to read 1000 minutes this winter. Will you be able to accomplish this feat?

This may seem like a lot of reading but it is simply reading 15 minutes each day! By reading together as a family or by yourself, this will be easy to achieve!

For every 100 minutes read, you will receive a raffle ticket that can be submitted for a chance to win a gift basket with books, activities, and treats along with a Target gift card. You can earn additional raffle tickets by completing some family activities too!

When you register, we will put your first name on a snowflake and display it in the library entrance area for all to see. We also have a bookmark that you can pick up in the Children’s Department that can help you keep track the minutes you read. Besides the raffle tickets you earn for each 100 minutes, you will receive a special wintery prize bag if you complete the 1000 minute reading challenge.

Happy Reading!

Happy Holidays from the Children’s Department!

As we approach the end of a very challenging year, we wanted to let you know that we appreciate your continued support for the Library and Children’s Department. We have been encouraged by the number of you that participated in our virtual programs and craft pick-ups as we strive to offer interesting and unique programs while following current protocols and guidelines. Your patience with us as we made quick conversions to “homegrown storytimes” and willingness to stay with us as we learned to record and present programs from our homes is appreciated.

We sincerely hope that 2021 brings with it health and hope for a return to a more normal world, where we will again be able to meet in person, offering quality programs that you have come to expect.

Again, thank you! Happy Holidays and good wishes for a brighter New Year!

Registration for Holiday Programs and Story Times Begins this Saturday!

Ho! Ho! Ho! It’s almost that time of year again!

Sign up for the Children’s Holiday programs beginning November 14 @ 9:00 am!

The programs offered are:

-Baby & Me Holiday Story Time @ Home

-Holiday 2s & 3s Story Time @ Home

-Holiday Craft Festival (Craft pick up)

-Holidays From Around the World

-Holiday Movin’ with Books & Music

-River Readers Holiday Edition

-Tween Creative Club: Winter Decorations

We look forward to seeing you (virtually) soon!

Book-o-Lantern Pumpkin Decorating Contest

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Take a look at these wonderful Book-o-Lantern pumpkins!

Please share your Book-o-Lantern pumpkin pictures with us!

Book-o-Lantern Pumpkin Decorating Contest

5 Days for Democracy – Why Vote?

Your vote is your voice, your choice. Voting gives you an opportunity for change and can make a difference how things are done in the country, in your community and even in your school. Please go to our Mock Election page to vote for your favorite book character. We will announce the winner next week here in the blog.

Please check out Cleveland’s City Club 5 Days for Democracy for more information.

Five Days of Democracy Day 4: Advocacy

Kids Can Make a Difference https://kidscanmakeadifference.org/what-kids-can-do/

Check out these titles on Advocacy

Bee the Change. 
By: James Preller

Uprising. By: Margaret Peterson Haddix 

Act. By: Kayla Miller 

Alice Paul and the Fight for Women’s Rights. By: Deborah Cops 

Claudette Colvin: Twice Towards Justice. By: Phillip Hoose

Let Me Play: The Story of Title IX: The Law That Changed the Future of Girls in America.  By Karen Blumenthal