Weekend Roundup: Not-To-Be-Missed Kids Programs @ FCPL

Seeking some family-friendly fun? Look no further than FCPL!

Staff at our various branches are always planning new and exciting programs for you to enjoy, and this weekend is certainly no exception.

Saturday, 9/23

10:00 am:

Carryout Craft at Laton Library While supplies last, ask for a craft kit and create something at the Library or at home with your family.
"Grandparents and Books" Storytime at Woodward Park Regional Library Join Library volunteer, Susie for some great stories!
Homework Help at Woodward Park Library Call 600-3135 to schedule an appointment for free K-12 homework and study help from local teen volunteers.

10:30 am:

Family Crafts at Central Library Children and caregivers are invited to make a craft together at the Central branch and create a memory.
Read to a Dog with Vinny the Great Dane at Sanger Branch Library Come read a story to registered therapy dog, Vinny the Great Dane.

1:00 pm:

Barn Owl Study at Woodward Park Regional Library Dissect a barn owl pellet (supplies limited) and learn all about owls with Fresno Wildlife Ambassadors!

1:30 pm:

S.T.E.A.M. Crafts at Central Library Learn science concepts by building toys and doing experiments! (This is an ongoing Saturday program.)

2:00 pm:

Volunteer Storytime at Woodward Park Regional Library Join Library volunteer, Rosy for a storytime focusing on fun reading, early literacy, and basic vocabulary. (This program is ongoing, 2-3 pm on Saturdays.)


Sunday, 9/24

12:00 pm:

Homework Help at Woodward Park Regional Library Call 600-3135 to schedule an appointment for free K-12 homework and study help from local teen volunteers.

1:00 pm:

Baby Storytime at Sunnyside Regional Library Children ages 0-3 are invited to come practice early literacy skills with Librarian Ms. Allie! Learn fun songs, rhymes, stories, and fingerplays.

2:00 pm:

Afternoon Movie at Sunnyside Regional Library A FREE showing of a movie suitable for all ages, plus FREE popcorn! We don't know about you, but we're skipping the local movie theaters this Sunday and heading to the Library.

For even more events to look forward to in the coming week, follow our events calendar! Here's a sampling of what we've got in store for you:

Geeky Craft Time at Woodward Regional Library This is an ongoing program. Join us for the next session, Tues., 9/26 at 4 pm, when we'll be creating Blackout Poetry for Banned Books Week!

9/27 at 6:30 pm: An evening of Folklorico Dancing and Storytelling at Sunnyside Regional Library Join us as performers from Ballet Folklorico y Marimba de Fresno demonstrate Folklorico dancing, with a little history and a lot of music. Afterwards, we’ll have professional storytellers kick off a Story Jam, with an opportunity for people in the community to tell their own personal stories.

Afterschool Kids Crafts at West Fresno Branch Library This program meets every Thursday at 3:00 pm. Of interest to families with kids of different ages, a teen craft time is held at the branch during the same hour.

Win it Wednesday: The Forever Garden

Every Wednesday we will give away a new book. For a chance to win, just fill out the form at the bottom of the page and you'll be entered into a drawing. The drawing will run from Wednesday through 11:59 PM Friday and winners will be announced on Mondays. (Note: you must be a Fresno County resident to be eligible for Win it Wednesdays.)

The Forever Garden by Laurel Snyder & Samantha Cotterill

Each day, rain or shine, Honey works in her garden, and each day, the little girl who lives next door is right by Honey's side.

She hangs on the fence in the mornings.

She watches from her window when it's raining.

And on nice nights, when Honey eats in her garden, the girl goes over for dessert.

Here's a heartwarming picture book that shows how friendship--just like a garden--grows. But. . . what happens when one friend has to move away?

Want this book? Fill out and submit the form below for a chance to win your very own copy!

Win it Wednesday: If the Magic Fits

Every Wednesday we will give away a new book. For a chance to win, just fill out the form at the bottom of the page and you'll be entered into a drawing. The drawing will run from Wednesday through 11:59 PM Friday and winners will be announced on Mondays. (Note: you must be a Fresno County resident to be eligible for Win it Wednesdays.)

If the Magic Fits by Susan Maupin Schmid

Inside an enchanted castle, there’s a closet—a closet with one hundred dresses that nobody ever wears.

Dresses like those need a good trying-on, and Darling Dimple is just the girl to do it.

When she tries on Dress Number Eleven, something unbelievable happens. She transforms into the castle’s Head Scrubber! It turns out that each dress can disguise her as someone else. And Darling is about to have an adventure that calls for a disguise or two . . . or a hundred.

Update: This drawing's book goes to Annie A.! Remember: If you didn't win this time around, you'll have a new chance on Wednesday Check back soon for our next Win it Wednesday giveaway.

Knowledge is Power, Too: Learning More About Natural Disasters to Manage Worry

The United States and surrounding islands are now in the middle of "Hurricane Season" and so far we're experiencing some of the most violent tropical storm activity in over a decade. Hurricanes Harvey and Irma have been especially destructive and it's nearly impossible to switch on the TV or log into social media these days without seeing updates about these storms. It can be downright scary to see those images and videos.

Nobody can deny that hurricanes and other storms are powerful. However, information can be, too: knowing how these natural disasters work, where we're most likely to encounter them, and what we can do to prepare for them can help us all worry a bit less--and make the right kinds of decisions if we ever come face to face with one.

We've collected a few links below to get you started.

• Looking for a short, straightforward, no-nonsense explanation of what a hurricane is and what it does? Check out this brief episode of the popular YouTube series, SciShow Kids.

• For much more detailed information about hurricanes and typhoons, log into ScienceFlix with your FCPL card barcode. Back in June, we introduced everyone to this exceptional eResource, and you can read all about its content and features here.

• You can become a Disaster Master on Ready.gov, learning how to prepare for natural disasters through games and activities. Not only can you equip yourself with knowledge to help you survive hurricanes, but you can also learn how to stay safe during tornadoes, tsunamis, thunderstorms, floods, volcanoes, earthquakes, wildfires, winter storms and national security emergencies.

And don't forget: you can choose from a wide selection of books and DVDs when you search FCPL's catalog, using keywords like storms, hurricanes, natural disasters, and extreme weather.

When in doubt, of course, ask the staff at your neighborhood FCPL branch. They may not have a ready answer to every question, but they'll be more than happy to help you find the information you need!