It’s a wonderful Christmas time for children at local library
When browsing the children’s library collection, kids may spy Pippin SugarCookie, a very special elf from the Elf on the Shelf Squad. Be sure to say “hi,” and be good for goodness sake.
When stopping by the PdC library for the upcoming children’s holiday programming, consider taking along some fuzzy hats, mittens, scarves or socks for the giving tree in the front entryway. (Photos by Correne Martin)
By Correne Martin
Hark! The library angels are singing a Christmas tune. The message is that children’s programming for the holidays will help to make the season bright.
The Prairie du Chien Memorial Library elf librarians and assistants have planned four free events, geared toward tiny tots and their families, that are sure to make their eyes all aglow.
Thursday, Dec. 12, is A Beary Christmas Sleepover. Oh, what fun children’s teddy bears, action figures, dolls, or plush snowmen and Santas will have at the library.
Come in pajamas, and bring these little friends after 7 p.m., get them a name tag, fill out a permission slip and leave them to spend the night under the merrymaking eyes of the jolly staff. Give them a goodnight kiss, and grab a snack before you go. While the kid “parents” are away, each lovey will get pictures taken of their adventures.
Then, the next day, the cuddly toys will be ready for pick-up, before 5 p.m., or as soon as possible thereafter.
“When arriving to take them home, families will get to watch a slideshow of the fun activities that happened overnight,” said Library Assistant Caitlin Bittner. There will also be craft gifts that the bears, dolls and figures made for their humans.
Saturday, Dec. 14, is Make-A-Gift, from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Since, soon, it will be Christmas Day, children are invited to stop by the library and enter Santa’s workshop. There, the library elves will be available to help the youngsters choose, assemble and wrap gifts that will surprise their parents, grandparents and other loved ones with that sentimental feeling. Bittner said children will be allowed to make up to two gifts.
T’was the Night before Grinchmas storytime will take place Wednesday, Dec. 18, at 5:30 p.m., and Friday, Dec. 20, at 9:30 a.m. The halls will be decked for this most wonderful time of the year. Bittner said she will read “How the Grinch Stole Christmas” and “T’was the Night before Christmas” to the crowd of families.
To follow, bells will be ringing as all gather around to frost and decorate Christmas cookies. Then, of course, they can eat them and take the goodies home.
“Generally, they get very excited and can’t eat it all,” Bittner noted, saying baggies will be on hand for those who need to take leftovers with them.
Finally, right before Christmas, with the school kids on break, the library will offer a Movie Marathon Monday, Dec. 23. From 10 a.m. to 7 p.m., holiday favorite movies will be running all day in the basement.
“There will be breaks in between the movies,” Bittner explained. “The children can come upstairs and look around.”
Free popcorn and hot chocolate will be offered. To add to the spirit, families attending are encouraged to wear their most outlandish sweaters or outfits to take part in the ugly sweater contest. Watch the library Facebook page for an announcement of the contest time.
So don’t take time out to pout or cry, just make plans to jingle on over to the Prairie du Chien Memorial Library for these festive holiday events. It probably won’t be a silent night, but all will be bright.
