Meet Princess Cimorene—a princess who refuses to be proper. She’s everything a princess shouldn’t be: headstrong, tomboyish, smart… And bored. So bored she runs away to live with Kazul, one of the most powerful dragons around! Soon, she’s caught up with a witch, a jinn, a death-dealing talking bird, a stone prince, and some oily wizards.
Join us on Thursday, May 1, at 6:30 PM in the Community Room as we discuss Patricia C. Wrede’s Dealing with Dragons! This will be our last book club for readers ages 8-11 and their accompanying adults before Summer Reading. See you there!
Looking for a fun movie afternoon on the big screen? Join us on Friday, May 2, at 3:30 PM in the Community Room for a showing of Dog Man (PG)!
All ages are welcome, but children 12 and under must be accompanied by a responsible party aged 14 or older. Parents, please prescreen the film to ensure it’s right for your little movie fans!
Reading can inspire creativity and we are painting a masterpiece! Take an epic journey with us this year as we explore the world of art, from color and style to history and industry. Armchair travelers will read books to create a portfolio of canvases that earn them opportunities to enter the final drawing for our grand prizes. Any reader who joins us for even a portion of the trip will receive small prizes along the way. Sign up today at the Library Circulation Desk!
Programs are limited in May while we prepare, including no early literacy (Story Time, etc.)
Sign-ups will begin Monday, June 2!
Join us for Crafty Corner, an informal meet-up for adults 18+ who love to create! Bring your knitting, crocheting, cross-stitching, or whatever craft you enjoy, and spend an evening with fellow makers.
We meet Every First Thursday at 6:30 PM, so join us this month on May 1st in the Activity Room. Relax, connect, and get inspired—let’s get crafty!
Looking for a fun movie afternoon on the big screen? Join us on Friday, May 2, at 3:30 PM in the Community Room for a showing of Dog Man (PG)!
All ages are welcome, but children 12 and under must be accompanied by a responsible party aged 14 or older. Parents, please prescreen the film to ensure it’s right for your little movie fans!
Against all odds, a small, scrappy racehorse captured the heart of a nation. Join us on Thursday, May 22, at 6:30 PM in the Community Room as we discuss Laura Hillenbrand’s Seabiscuit—a riveting true story of perseverance, hope, and the power of an underdog.
Readers ages 18+ are invited to dive into this unforgettable tale and enjoy a lively discussion. See you there!
Reading can inspire creativity and we are painting a masterpiece! Take an epic journey with us this year as we explore the world of art, from color and style to history and industry. Armchair artists will read books to create a portfolio of canvases that earn them opportunities to enter the final drawing for our grand prizes. Any reader who joins us for even a portion of the trip will receive small prizes along the way. Sign up at the Library Circulation Desk!
Programs are limited in May while we prepare. Sign-ups begin online and at the Library on Monday, June 2!
The Teen Action Council gathers to discuss plans and come up with ways for the Library to serve teens. Ages 13-18 are invited to join us Wednesday, May 7 in the Community Room at 4 PM!
Looking for a fun movie afternoon on the big screen? Join us on Friday, May 2, at 3:30 PM in the Community Room for a showing of Dog Man (PG)!
All ages are welcome, but children 12 and under must be accompanied by a responsible party aged 14 or older. Parents, please prescreen the film to ensure it’s right for your little movie fans!
Reading can inspire creativity and we are painting a masterpiece! Take an epic journey with us this year as we explore the world of art, from color and style to history and industry. Armchair travelers will read books to create a portfolio of canvases that earn them opportunities to enter the final drawing for our grand prizes. Any reader who joins us for even a portion of the trip will receive small prizes along the way. Ages 15 and up will join the adult challenge, while 14 years and younger will be enrolled in the Junior Apprentice challenge. Sign up today at the Library Circulation Desk! See more details here.
Teens ages 12-18—are you ready for the Idaho Teen Reading Challenge? Sign up today at Madison Library District, Madison Jr. High Library, Madison High School Library, or online with the Beanstack app!
Read 8 books from 10 different categories and track your progress on Beanstack or with paper trackers, journals, or bookmarks available at all three libraries. For every book you finish, grab a prize at the Circulation desk or during visiting librarian days at your school library!
Complete the challenge by May 1 to be entered into a drawing for a $30 gift card AND help your library earn books! Let’s get reading!
Programs are limited in May while we prepare. Sign-ups begin Monday, June 2!
Happy Birthday!
Children eagerly look forward to their next birthday with excitement and anticipation each year. But did you know birthdays can also be valuable learning experiences? They can help children develop an understanding of time and age, explore family values and traditions, and even learn empathy and the joy of giving.
When planning your child’s next celebration, consider incorporating one of these fun and meaningful activities:
Role-Play Parties – Pretend birthday parties with dolls or stuffed animals encourage storytelling, creativity, and empathy.
Make-Your-Own Cupcake Station – Following simple steps to decorate their own cupcakes builds independence and sequencing skills.
Birthday Calendar Craft – Marking the birthdays of family members helps kids learn about months, numbers, and names.
“All About Me” Poster – Creating a poster with drawings or pictures helps children express themselves and build self-awareness.
Ages 2-5
Moving to music, dancing, swaying, running, and jumping help young children feel rhythm and begin to understand how their bodies work. Such movements help them gain muscle control and improve balance. All of this contributes to a child’s gross motor development. ~Reading Picture Books with Children by Lambert
Using a scarf, washcloth, or a towel practice tossing and catching while singing the rhyme, “Toss Your Scarves.” You can also sing and play the familiar rhyme, “Pat-a-Cake”, with your child. This will help them develop hand-eye coordination.
Five candles on a birthday cake
Five, and not one more.
You may blow one candle out…
And that leaves four!
Four candles on a birthday cake
There for all to see.
You may blow one candle out…
And that leaves three!
Three candles on a birthday cake
Standing straight and true.
You may blow one candle out…
And that leaves two!
Two candles on a birthday cake
Helping us have fun.
You may blow one candle out…
And that leaves one!
On candle on a birthday cake
We know its task is done.
You may blow this candle out…
And that leaves none! Make a wish!
Source: Storytime Katie
Tune: Jingle Bells
Toss your scarves, toss your scarves
Toss them way up high.
Toss your scarves up in the air,
‘til they reach the sky.
Wave your scarves, wave your scarves,
Twirl them ‘round and ‘round.
Twirl your scarves one more time,
Then let them, all fall down.
If you’re happy and you know it, wave your scarf.
If you’re happy and you know it, wave your scarf.
If you’re happy and you know it, your face will surely show it.
If you’re happy and you know it, wave your scarf.
*peek-a-boo, wave it high, wave it low, shake it fast, shake it slow.
If your birthday is in January, turn around
If your birthday is in February, touch the ground…
(March, march along; April, sing a song; May, wiggle your nose; June, shake your toes; July, jump up high;
August, reach the sky; September, tap your shoe; October, call out “Boo!”; November, tickle your ears;
December, give three cheers)
Source: Storytime Katie
For one Armenian child, birthdays are days for decorating the house with bunches of rose and mint and sumac, for eating beef dumplings with garlic yoghurt, and for baking cakes with family and friends. But birthdays are also a time for telling stories–stories of ancestors and homelands, of births and new beginnings, and of the land their family now calls home. Because stories make up who we are, they are like rivers that lead into oceans, like seeds that fall from flowers, like pages of this book that come from trees. And the more stories that are told, the brighter this little child shines. A magical tale about finding yourself in the stories of your ancestors and keeping their memories alive
The Teen Action Council gathers to discuss plans and come up with ways for the Library to serve teens. Ages 13-18 are invited to join us Wednesday, April 2 in the Community Room at 4 PM!
Get crafty at Teen Crafts on Thursday, April 3, from 4:30-5:30 PM in the Community Room! This time, we’re making paper decorated pocket tins with matching magnets. Teens ages 12-18, come craft with us!
Learn the art of chess and other games with the master of fun and strategy, Nick Allison. Tweens and teens ages 9-18 are welcome to join every Monday from 4:30-5:30 PM in the Community Room. Game supplies will be provided.
Calling all teen writers! Whether you want to share your stories, improve your craft, or connect with fellow creatives, this is the place for you. This month, we’re exploring the Hero’s Journey—a classic storytelling archetype that can take your writing to the next level. Join us Wednesday, April 9, 2025 at 4:00–5:30 PM in the Community Room.
Drawing & Animation Art Club for ages 12-18 in on Thursday, April 10 at 4:30-5:30 PM in the Community Room. Bring your drawings to share with other teens while learning new techniques from experienced artists. No application required—just bring your art and join us! In this session, we’ll share ideas for the Summer Reading Comic Art Contest. Questions? Email Caitlin at caitlin.m@madisonlib.org.
Calling all teen adventurers! Join us for Dungeons & Dragons on Fridays, April 11 & 25 at 3:30 PM in the Community Room. Whether you’re a seasoned hero or a curious beginner, this classic role-playing game lets you create your own character, choose your story path, and roll the dice to determine your fate! Experienced players can bring their own characters (5th Edition rules), or try out one of our pre-made adventurers—perfect for those just starting out. Ages 12-18. Ready your swords and spells… the journey awaits!
Are you a brick magician or just looney for LEGOs? Join us for Teen LEGO Club on Wednesday, April 16, from 4:30–5:30 PM in the Community Room! This month, put your creativity to the test as we design and build 3D Easter eggs using LEGO. Bring your imagination and get ready to build!
Calling all anime fans! Join us for Teen Anime Club on Thursday, April 17, from 4:00–5:30 PM in the Community Room. We’ll be watching Fluffy Paradise and crafting our own adorable pom pom pets! Whether you’re here for the anime, the crafts, or just to hang out with fellow fans, this is the place to be. See you there!
Looking for a fun movie afternoon on the big screen? Join us for Free Family Friendly Films on Fridays at 3:30 PM in the Community Room! We’ve got new releases and beloved classics lined up:
April 18 – Moana 2 (PG)
All ages welcome, but children 12 and under must be accompanied by a responsible party aged 14 or older. Parents, please prescreen the films to ensure they’re right for your little movie fans!
Mystery, fortune, and… scones? Join us for Cook with a Book on Thursday, April 24, from 4:00–5:30 PM in the Community Room as we explore The Inheritance Games and bake blueberry scones fit for a billionaire’s breakfast. No sign-up needed—just bring your appetite and love for books! Teens ages 12-18 welcome.
Reading can inspire creativity and we are painting a masterpiece! Take an epic journey with us this year as we explore the world of art, from color and style to history and industry. Armchair travelers will read books to create a portfolio of canvases that earn them opportunities to enter the final drawing for our grand prizes. Any reader who joins us for even a portion of the trip will receive small prizes along the way. Ages 15 and up will join the adult challenge, while 14 years and younger will be enrolled in the Junior Apprentice challenge. Sign up today at the Library Circulation Desk! See more details here.
Teens ages 12-18—are you ready for the Idaho Teen Reading Challenge? Sign up today at Madison Library District, Madison Jr. High Library, Madison High School Library, or online with the Beanstack app!
Read 8 books from 10 different categories and track your progress on Beanstack or with paper trackers, journals, or bookmarks available at all three libraries. For every book you finish, grab a prize at the Circulation desk or during visiting librarian days at your school library!
Complete the challenge by May 1 to be entered into a drawing for a $30 gift card AND help your library earn books! Let’s get reading!