Children's and Family Programs for February

Seuss Week

The Children's Department will celebrate Dr. Seuss with Seuss Week, Monday, Feb. 25, through Friday, March 1. Visit the children's area for daily activities celebrating Dr. Seuss. Our 10th annual Seuss-athon will be held on Saturday, March 2, from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Join the library in celebrating Dr. Seuss' birthday. Come enjoy some Dr. Seuss books and snacks. Door prizes will be awarded throughout the day. Mark your calendar now to join the Seuss fun at the library.

More Connections to You

Become our fan on Facebook. Our page is updated at least weekly with reminders of upcoming events and programs at the library. Mrs. B and Miss Tammy now have blogs with information about library programs and literacy as well as books, songs, fingerplays, and rhymes used at the Baby & Me, Toddler, and Preschool storytimes. Visit their blogs at StoriesRhymesandSingalongTimes.blogspot.com and StorytimesAndMore.blogspot.com .

Legos^® @ Your Library

The Legos^® @ Your Library programs continue in February with the following sessions: Wednesday, Feb. 13, from 1 to 2 p.m.; and Saturday, Feb. 23, from 1 to 2 p.m. Thousands of Legos^® will be available for imaginative play at each event. Note: Due to a possible choking hazard, children MUST be at least 4 years old to participate. Parents are welcome to stay and build with their children. Please do not bring your own Legos^®. This project is supported in part by state aid funding appropriated by the Nebraska Legislature, granted and administered by the Nebraska Library Commission.

Scurry Up and Read!

Sponsored by the Bellevue Public Library and Pizza Hut, this reading club is designed to encourage and support parents' and caregivers' efforts in helping children become lifelong readers. This program is for children ages 2 to 5 years old who are not yet in kindergarten. Children who meet or exceed their goal for a month receive a coupon for a free Personal Pan Pizza. Sign up at the front desk and receive your packet of monthly bookmarks. This program runs from September through April.

Storytimes: All storytimes are open to the public and registration is NOT required. Storytimes are held in the library's large meeting room unless otherwise noted. Note: If Bellevue Public Schools close because of inclement weather, children's programming at the library will be cancelled for the day.

Baby & Me

These stortyimes are held on Tuesdays and repeated on Wednesdays at 9:15 a.m. and are designed especially as a one-on-one experience for infants ages birth to 24 months and their parent/caregivers. Each 30-minute session features a simple story, music, rhymes, puppets and other age-appropriate activities.

Preschool Storytimes

These are held Wednesdays at 10 a.m. and repeated at 10 a.m. on Thursdays. These "letter a week" storytimes are geared towards children ages 3-5 years old and their parents/caregivers. Early literacy skills will be emphasized through books, songs, nursery rhymes and fingerplays. Following each 45-minute storytime, children will be invited to stay for simple enrichment activities such as art, manipulative play and games. Siblings welcome!

Toddler Storytimes

These programs are held on Thursdays at 9:15 a.m. and are designed especially for children ages 2 to 3 years old and their parents/caregivers. Stories, songs, puppets and activities are included in each 30-minute session. Older and younger siblings are welcome to come.

Pajama Storytime

Join Mrs. B for some wonderful bedtime stories on Tuesday, Feb. 12, at 7 p.m. Children are invited to wear their pajamas and to bring a blanket, pillow or stuffed animal. This 30-minute storytime is geared towards preschool and early elementary aged children. It will take place in the children's area of the library.

Papa Bear and Me Storytime

This monthly event, scheduled Tuesday, Feb. 26, at 7 p.m., is most appropriate for children 3 years and older and their Papa Bear (daddy, grandpa, uncle, foster dad, etc.). We will share stories, songs, crafts and puppets during this 30-minute program. There is no cost and registration is not required. This evening storytime is open to all and will take place in the children's area.

Other Activities

Pawsitive Reading

Pawsitive Reading will be held on Saturday, Feb. 9, from 9:30 to 10:30 a.m. AND Wednesday, Feb. 27, from 7 to 8 p.m. Specially-trained therapy dogs love children to read to them, and young readers can practice their reading skills in a non-threatening environment. Pre-registration is required and the 15-minute time slots fill up quickly. Call or visit the library for more information or to reserve a time slot.

Ongoing Programs

Golden Sowers

Count on the library to provide your child with those materials selected annually by Nebraskans for the Golden Sower competitions. Lists are available in September.

Junior Friends

If you are in grades 6-12, join our Junior Friends and volunteer to keep the children's area neat, participate in programs and parades, and just enjoy reading and talking about reading. The Junior Friends are funded by the Bellevue Library Foundation.