Summer is always an exciting time in the Children's Department, and this year is no different! Fizz, Boom Read! is the theme for this year's Summer Reading Club and we have a calendar packed with activities, special performances, and reading incentives. The program will run from June 23rd until August 1st.

Below is a sneak peak of the events to take place. Click here or visit our website for a complete calendar of events and registration dates!

Youth Stages
Thursday 7/10 @ 2:00 p.m.

Classic bug songs & stories re-imagined by Jean Prall Rosolino and Youth Stages
Especially designed for families with children ages 3-9 years. Songs, finger-plays, and stories may include: The Itsy-Bitsy Spider, The Ants Go Marching, Little Miss Muffet, The Very Hungry Caterpillar >and others.

Jester Jim & His Beat Box
Wednesday 7/16 @ 1:00 p.m.


With nothing more than a trunk full of props, Jester Jim will have you cracking up in your seat. Juggling, balancing, and beatboxing, this show is packed with fun and excitement. Don't miss it!

N.J. SnakeMan 
Thursday 7/24 @ 2:00 p.m.

Join us for this show that is both informative and entertaining! Children will have an opportunity to see a variety of snakes and learn about their unique characteristics, habitat, and how they eat! A program the whole family can enjoy!
Science Tellers 
Thursday 7/31 @ 2:00 p.m.

Join us as we learn about the science of fire and ice through the tale of "Dragons & Dreams." Wouldn't dragon's breath be an amazing sight to see?! Well, get ready to see it ... feel it ... smell it ... maybe even taste it! This story features interactive science experiments with dry ice, flash paper, exploding bottles, and much more.
Butterfly Rick 
Friday 08/01 @ 2:00 p.m.

Rick Mikula is a butterfly expert, award winning author, photographer, and habitat consultant. He has appeared on numerous TV shows including The Animal Planet Network and The Discovery Channel, as well as in over three dozen magazines. Join us in this Grand Finale that will include live butterflies, mounted specimens, and Rick's fast-energy program.


Our thanks to Dollar General Literacy Foundation for supporting our Children's Summer Reading Program!
Spotlight on Staff
Archivist Sarah Hull (Left) and Children's Librarian Janice People (Right) presented a poster session entitled  Matchbox Memory: A Local History Program for Kids, during the New Jersey Library Association's Conference (June 3-4).  The program illustrated collaboration between the Library’s Children's and Local History departments encouraging an awareness of  local history and preservation to third graders. Based upon the children's book, "The Matchbox Diary," by Paul Fleischman, the program included a reading of the story, a presentation of historical materials from the library's archives, and a related craft project.