Kid and Tween STEAM – Pumpkin Patch Maze

by Lauren Abbott | Oct 14, 2020 | Blog, Craft Instructions Post, Kid STEAM, Tween STEAM | 0 comments



Experiment with balance and gravity with this pumpkin patch marble maze.

Things you will need include:

glue or tape
scissors
green paper
orange pom poms
a marble

Watch the Video Instructions

Kid ‘n’ Tween Activities February 2026

by Mary Kirkpatrick | January 30, 2026 | Blog, Kid STEAM, Kid's Corner, Tween Scene, Tween STEAM | 0 Comments

Story Time and Early Literacy Join us this February for Early Literacy Programs as we explore a snowy theme! Toddler Time (Ages 1-3, walking toddlers & grown-ups) - Mondays and Tuesdays at 9:30 AM in the Community Room. Enjoy songs, stories, and sensory building...

January 2026 Programs for Kids ‘n’ Tweens

by Mary Kirkpatrick | December 29, 2025 | Blog, Kid STEAM, Kid's Corner, Tween Scene, Tween STEAM | 0 Comments

Story Time and Early Literacy Join us for stories, songs, and fun all month long as we explore the letter D! We'll groove with Dance, learn from Service Dogs, try on costumes for Dress Up, and finish with something brand new just for you! Story Time is on Tuesdays and...

November 2025 Kids ‘n’ Tweens Programs

by Mary Kirkpatrick | October 31, 2025 | Blog, Kid STEAM, Kid's Corner, Story Time, Tween Scene, Tween STEAM | 0 Comments

Story Time and Early Literacy Start your little ones on their reading journey with age-appropriate stories, songs, and activities! Book Babies is for infants not yet walking. Toddler Time is for walking littles 1-3 years old. Story Time is for preschoolers ages 3-5....

October Activities for Kids ‘n’ Tweens

by Mary Kirkpatrick | September 29, 2025 | Blog, Kid STEAM, Kid's Corner, Story Time, Tween Scene, Tween STEAM | 0 Comments

Story Time and Early Literacy Start your little ones on their reading journey with age-appropriate stories, songs, and activities! Weekly Schedule: Mondays: Toddler Time 9:30 AM | Spanish Story Time 10:30 AM (No early literacy programs Mon. Oct. 6) Tuesdays: Toddler...

Story Time: A is for Alphabet

by Marybeth Isle | September 24, 2025 | Blog, Kid STEAM, Story Time | 0 Comments

I have 26 members, but no family. I start with A and end with Z, but you won't find me in a zoo. What am I? Of course, I am the alphabet! Help your child discover language through letter recognition and their accompanying sounds. Try beginning with your child’s name...

September Activities for Kids ‘n’ Tweens

by Mary Kirkpatrick | August 25, 2025 | Blog, Kid STEAM, Kid's Corner, Tween Scene, Tween STEAM | 0 Comments

Story Time and Early Literacy Dive into tales, tunes, and tiny triumphs at our Early Literacy programs in the Community Room—tailored for babies, toddlers, preschoolers, and their grown-ups! Story Time (ages 2–5 + adult) Tue 10:30 AM & 6:30 PM (Activity Room) |...

July Programs for Kids ‘n’ Tweens

by Mary Kirkpatrick | June 30, 2025 | Blog, Kid STEAM, Kid's Corner, Story Time, Tween Scene, Tween STEAM | 0 Comments

Summer Reading is Here! You can sign up now for Summer Reading: Color Our World! With Beanstack you can sign up online, or you can visit us at the Library and track your reading on paper. Check out our Summer Reading page for our prize schedule and more details.Story...

June Events for Kids ‘n’ Tweens

by Mary Kirkpatrick | June 2, 2025 | Blog, Kid STEAM, Kid's Corner, Story Time, Tween Scene, Tween STEAM | 0 Comments

May Kids ‘n’ Tween Programs

by Mary Kirkpatrick | April 28, 2025 | Blog, Kid STEAM, Kid's Corner, Tween Scene, Tween STEAM | 0 Comments

Books For Boys & Great Reads for GirlsMeet 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!...

April Kids ‘n’ Tween Programs

by Mary Kirkpatrick | March 31, 2025 | Blog, Kid STEAM, Kid's Corner, Tween Scene, Tween STEAM | 0 Comments

Story TimeGet ready for April celebrations with our early literacy programs! Book Babies – Wednesdays at 9:30 AM* for babies not yet walking and their grown-ups. Enjoy songs, stories, baby sign language, movement, and sensory activities. Toddler Time – Mondays &...

Story Time – Creepy Cats

by Lauren Abbott | Oct 13, 2020 | Blog, Kid's Corner, Story Time | 0 comments

Story Time: Creepy Cats

“Creepy” cats start with the letter “C”! For story time, we read about cats, sang about cats, and found a lot of cats in the bookshelves of the library. Try checking out some of the additional books listed below about how to take care of a cat. You can also watch the great video of Elijah Wood reading, “Me and my Cat.” Then practice spelling the word, C-A-T.

Join us live Tuesdays at 10:30 AM – Online on Facebook

Ages 2-5

Sing, Talk, Read, Write, Play

STRWP Tip

Giving your children paper and crayons, markers, or pencils when they can scribble is the beginning of early writing. It takes a lot of coordination to write. Scribbling and drawing are the beginning steps to writing. Posting your child’s work on the on the refrigerator or around the house will show her how proud you are of her efforts.

- Lambert

Activity

Read a story together about a cat. Then give your child drawing materials and ask her to “draw” the story again or some aspect of it.

Books Presented



The Remarkable Friendship of Mr. Cat and Mr. Rat by Rick Walton

Mr. Cat and Mr. Rat enjoy playing tricks on one another, but they discover true friendship after one receives a tasty gift that he believes is from the other.

Find it Online



They All Saw a Cat by Brendan Wenzel

When you see a cat, what do you see? In this glorious celebration of observation, curiosity, and imagination, Brendan Wenzel shows us the many lives of one cat, and how perspective shapes what we see.

Find it in Our Catalog

Find Our Electronic Version

Find it Online



Scaredy-Cat, Splat! by Rob Scotton

Splat the Cat is determined to be the scariest cat in the class, but unfortunately his costume is more silly than scary.

Find it in Our Catalog

Find it Online

Songs, Rhymes, and Fingerplays

Down Around the Corner

Down around the corner at my mom’s pet store
Were six little cats and not one more
Along came someone with a nickel to pay
And they bought a cat and took it away!

– www.Literaryhoots.com

Flannel: Rainbow Kittens

Six little kittens found a box of paint.
They jumped right in…their mother will faint!
The first little kitten came out all red.
“I’ll be orange,” the second kitten said.
The third little kitten turned bright yellow.
“I’ll be green,” said the next little fellow.
The fifth kitten said, “My favorite is blue.”
“Purple for me,” said the sixth with a mew.
Dancing home the kittens go
To show their mother a KITTEN RAINBOW!

– www.Literaryhoots.com

Crafts and Activities



Coloring Page

Print out this coloring page!

Go to the Coloring Page



Bobblehead Cat Craft

Make this bobblehead cat craft!

Find Out More

Additional Books



A Cat for You: Caring for Your Cat by Susan Blackaby

Explains the different types of cats to own as a pet and how to care for them.

Find it in Our Catalog



Kitten's First Full Moon by Kevin Henkes

When Kitten mistakes the full moon for a bowl of milk, she ends up tired, wet, and hungry trying to reach it.

Find it in Our Catalog

Find it Online



Me and My Cat? by Satoshi Kitamura

Late one night, an old lady in a pointed hat climbs through the window into Nicholas’ bedroom. She brandishes her broom, fires out some words, and then leaves as abruptly as she came. It’s puzzling at the time, but not nearly as puzzling as what happens the next day!

Find it Online

See it Read on Storyline Online

More Story Times

Story Time: Something NEW, Just for YOU! in January

by Marybeth Isle | January 27, 2026 | Blog, Kid's Corner, Story Time | 0 Comments

New books are great! If you haven’t had a chance to visit the library lately, you should come in and check out our section of New Non-fiction Books in the Children’s section. Non-fiction fuels curiosity, answers questions, is easily relatable to life, and builds...

Story Time: D is for Dress-Up

by Marybeth Isle | January 21, 2026 | Blog, Kid's Corner, Story Time | 0 Comments

Have you ever played dress-up with your child? Not only is it great fun for them and you, but it can also be a critical developmental tool. It helps your child to make sense of the world around her while developing essential skills she'll use throughout life like...

Story Time: D is for Dogs: Special Service Dogs Edition

by Marybeth Isle | January 13, 2026 | Blog, Kid's Corner, Story Time | 0 Comments

For a lot of children, meeting dogs and others animals can be an exciting experience. However, if they are unprepared for that introduction, it can lead to an undesirable experience, especially with service animals. Check out some of the tips and books below for...

Story Time: D is for Dance

by Marybeth Isle | January 8, 2026 | Blog, Kid's Corner, Story Time | 0 Comments

“D” is for dancing! Did you know that, in addition to being a fantastic way to build physical skills in children, dancing is also a powerful workout for the brain? Remembering choreography strengthens memory and improves a child’s ability to focus and solve problems....

Story Time: Something NEW Just for YOU! in November

by Marybeth Isle | November 25, 2025 | Blog, Kid's Corner, Story Time | 0 Comments

Discover your new favorite story! We've curated a collection of fresh books, each paired with a special activity to spark your child’s imagination and extend the fun.Join us Tuesdays, and Wednesdays at 10:30 a.m. in the Community Room or Tuesdays at 6:30 p.m. in the...

Story Time: P is for Pie

by Marybeth Isle | November 18, 2025 | Blog, Kid's Corner, Story Time | 0 Comments

Who needs rhythm sticks when you've got a house full of instruments? You and your child can grab paper towel tubes, empty tin cans, or even a pair of chopsticks and get ready to make some noise. Start by keeping the beat to old favorites like "If You’re Happy and You...

Story Time: P is for Pigs

by Marybeth Isle | November 12, 2025 | Blog, Kid's Corner, Story Time | 0 Comments

How did the pig write his novel? With a pig pen. Or… what’s it called when a bunch of pigs compete in athletic games? The Olympigs. And… how do pigs write top-secret messages? With invisible oink! All jokes aside, pigs are amazing creatures. They are one of the...

Story Time: P is for Pirates

by Marybeth Isle | November 5, 2025 | Blog, Kid's Corner, Story Time | 0 Comments

Did you know that pirates often had unique and colorful names like "Blackbeard," "Calico Jack," and "Anne Bonny?" These names made them sound fierce and mysterious. Even though they were the “robbers of the high seas,” their spirit of adventure and exploration has...

November 2025 Kids ‘n’ Tweens Programs

by Mary Kirkpatrick | October 31, 2025 | Blog, Kid STEAM, Kid's Corner, Story Time, Tween Scene, Tween STEAM | 0 Comments

Story Time: Something NEW Just for YOU in October

by Marybeth Isle | October 29, 2025 | Blog, Kid's Corner, Story Time | 0 Comments

Did you know Halloween can be turned into a spook-tacular literacy activity for you and your child? Read Halloween books to introduce new words and foster a love for reading. Try describing your favorite Halloween characters and put them into a play or story. Play...

October Adult Makers

by Lauren Abbott | Oct 9, 2020 | Adult Arena, Blog | 0 comments

October Adult Makers

Learn the ancient art of gold leaf illumination. Pick up a kit with supplies and tools and develop an idea for your project before our online lesson is posted on October 16 at 7pm.

The tools in the kit will need to be returned, but we’ll let you keep them a week to experiment a bit on your own. A limited number of kits will be available beginning Monday, October 12.

Adult Activities February 2026

by Mary Kirkpatrick | January 30, 2026 | Adult Arena, Blog | 0 Comments

Dungeons & DragonsTuesdays at 5:30 PM · February 3 & 17 · Community Room · Ages 18+ Calling all adventurers! Whether you're a battle-hardened bard or brand-new to the game, join our Dungeons & Dragons party for adults (18+) and step into a world of...

January 2026 Programs for Adults

by Mary Kirkpatrick | December 29, 2025 | Adult Arena, Blog | 0 Comments

Dungeons & DragonsTuesdays at 5:30 PM · January 6 & 20 · Community Room · Ages 18+ Calling all adventurers! Whether you're a battle-hardened bard or brand-new to the game, join our Dungeons & Dragons party for adults (18+) and step into a world of...

December 2025 Programs for All Ages

by Mary Kirkpatrick | November 26, 2025 | Adult Arena, Blog, Kid's Corner, Teen Zone, Tween Scene | 0 Comments

Teen Action CouncilThe Teen Action Council gathers to discuss plans and come up with ways for the Library to serve teens. Select participants ages 13-18 are invited to join us Wednesday, December 3 in the Community Room at 4 PM!Crafty Corner Join us for Crafty Corner,...

November 2025 Adult Programs

by Mary Kirkpatrick | October 31, 2025 | Adult Arena, Blog | 0 Comments

Dungeons & DragonsTuesdays, Nov. 4 & 18 at 5:30 PM in the Community Room Calling all adventurers! Whether you're battle-hardened or brand-new to the game, join our Dungeons & Dragons adventures for adults (18+) and step into a world of imagination,...

October Activities for Adults

by Mary Kirkpatrick | September 29, 2025 | Adult Arena, Blog | 0 Comments

Creative Writing ClubWednesdays, Oct. 1, 15, & 29 at 6:00 PM. Calling all storytellers! Whether you're eager to share your latest piece or just want to connect with fellow writers, this club is for you. We’ll read our favorite works, explore what drives our...

September Activities for Adults

by Mary Kirkpatrick | August 25, 2025 | Adult Arena, Blog | 0 Comments

Dungeons & DragonsTuesdays, Sept. 2, 16, & 30 at 5:30 PM in the Community Room Calling all adventurers! Whether you're a battle-hardened bard or brand-new to the game, join our Dungeons & Dragons adventures for adults (18+) and step into a world of...

August Programs for All Ages

by Mary Kirkpatrick | July 30, 2025 | Adult Arena, Blog, Kid's Corner, Teen Zone, Tween Scene | 0 Comments

Teen Action CouncilThe 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, August 6 in the Community Room at 4 PM!Crafty Corner Join us for Crafty Corner, an informal meet-up...

July Programs for Adults

by Mary Kirkpatrick | June 30, 2025 | Adult Arena, Blog | 0 Comments

Summer Reading is Here! You can sign up now for Summer Reading: Color Our World! With Beanstack you can sign up online, or you can visit us at the Library and track your reading on paper. Your final goal is 3,000 pages, but you earn prizes for every 1,000 pages you...

June Events for Adults

by Mary Kirkpatrick | June 2, 2025 | Adult Arena, Blog | 0 Comments

Summer Reading is Here! You can sign up now for Summer Reading: Color Our World! With Beanstack you can sign up online, or you can visit us at the Library and track your reading on paper. Your final goal is 3,000 pages, but you earn prizes for every 1,000 pages you...

Upcoming Board of Trustees Elections for 2025

by Rebekka Hanson | May 1, 2025 | Adult Arena, Blog | 0 Comments

Election InformationSpecial Districts holding elections in May: Madison Library District Trustee Election Day: May 20th Begin Mailing Absentee Ballots: April 10, 2025 Early Voting Begins in the Clerk’s Office: May 5, 2025 8:15-4:45 Monday-Friday until May 16, 2025 @...

Story Time – Creepy Crawlies

by Lauren Abbott | Oct 6, 2020 | Blog, Story Time | 0 comments

Story Time: Creepy Crawlies

This week in online story time, we learned a new letter, “C”, which is the first letter in the words, “Creepy Crawlies”. Have fun with creepy crawlies as you read books, go outside, and discover what insects and spiders do.