List of fun things to do with your child before they enter kindergarten.

Channel your inner Calvin & Hobbes--build a creative snowman!  Not sure what to make?  Our Calvin & Hobbes books can be found at 741.5697 Watt.  Remember, if it's just a guy with two eyes, only one mouth, and no signs of traumatic injury or bothering Dad, Calvin probably wouldn't approve. 

Has it not snowed?  Did the county close down the parks due to covid again?  Reading a Calvin & Hobbes book counts for this, too!

Join our virtual book club on Goodreads, the Western NY Book Club!  Every month, we offer a different selection of books to discuss with other readers from all over WNY.  Each month, we select a nonfiction, fiction, and children's read!

To join, click on the link above or search for Western NY Book Club on Goodreads.

Bring more hygge* into your life--grab a warm beverage of your choice, your comfiest clothes, turn on some relaxing music, and read for at least half an hour.  You'll feel less stressed, be warm, and earn some mission points!

* Hygge is a Danish term meaning, "a quality of coziness and comfortable conviviality that engenders a feeling of contentment or well-being (regarded as a defining characteristic of Danish culture)."

February is National Black History Month, so we're celebrating books written/illustrated by Black authors.  Read a book (historical or not--great books are being published every day) written (or illustrated) by a Black author! 

Check out one of the items on our National Black History Display for a code worth bonus points!*

This display will only be up during the month of February, but you can complete this mission at any time.

Check out one of the items on our National Black History Display and input the code in the enclosed bookmark

This display will only be up during the month of February, so get it while you can!

Read the short story below and answer the questions.

Jack, Betty, and Matt love the fall season. They like jumping into the pile of leaves. Jack likes the pretty colors. Betty likes to make a big pile with the leaves. Matt likes to hide in the leaves.

Did you write to someone during Summer Reading Club last year?  I bet they want another letter! 

If you're not already pen pals with someone, pick a loved one and send them a letter the old-fashioned way--in the mail! 

Little ones have active imaginations! Have your child tell you a story and fill in the questions below based on the story they told you.

If your little one isn't talking yet, make up a story and tell it to them or retell a favorite story to complete this.

EX: One day, Grandpa [show picture of Grandpa] visited you.  You looked at flowers, and he held you [Give a hug] and told you he loved you [Point at child]!  You liked it when he made this silly face [make a funny face].  He loves you and can't wait to see you soon!

Read a book with a blue cover or that contains snow!

All tales are important, especially yours!  Tell us, what's your tale--are you a hero who volunteers to help others?  Are you a storyteller who writes new tales?  Do you help others by being kind and become a hero someone else's life?  Let us know!

2020 has been a historic year, and it's not even over yet!  Did you know that historians love personal accounts of life in times like these?  Write a few sentences (or more) about something memorable from the last few months. 

Ideas:

What was it like when you first went grocery shopping during the pandemic?  How did you feel about school online?  How did you keep in touch with family and friends?  What was typical day like?  Even something simple, like making bread for the first time, is an important part of current history.

Use the Emojis to guess the name of the book. How well do you know your Emojis?

*Note: Some of these are teen books, but all are popular.

Using the provided clue(s), guess the name of the fairy tale!

*Need a hint? Try one of these: Alice In Wonderland, Beauty And The Beast, Cinderella, Goldilocks, Hansel And Gretel, Jack And The Beanstalk, Little Red Riding Hood, Pinocchio, Snow White And The Seven Dwarfs, Three Billy Goats Gruff, The Princess And The Pea, The Three Little Pigs.

*Need a hint? Try one of these! Alligator, beaver, chameleon, elephant, giraffe, lemur, pig, tiger, whale, zebra.

What's your favorite story? Paint, color, or draw a picture from it! 

It's not required, but we'd love it if you could share your creation with us on The North Tonawanda Public Library Children's Department Facebook.  We love to see how creative everyone is!