BHPL Kids

Pajama Story Time

2012-01-24T00:18:00.000-08:00

Monday, January 30
6 p.m. - 7 p.m.

For families with children ages 3 - 6. Listen to bedtime stories, sing quiet songs and relax with peaceful pre-bedtime activities. Pajamas and teddy bears are welcome. No sign up.

Happy Chinese New Year

2012-01-23T22:42:00.000-08:00

A little dragon came to the library today to borrow the library's copy of Happy New Year by Demi. Monday was the first day of the Year of the Dragon.

Story Time

2012-01-23T10:57:00.000-08:00

Story Time for Ages 3 and Up
Tuesdays through February 21
10:30 a.m. to 11 a.m.
Themed sessions with stories and activities for reading readiness

Stories for 2 to 3 Year Olds
Wednesdays through February 22
10:30 a.m. to 11 a.m.
Stories, songs, finger plays and crafts

Mother Goose Story Time for 6 - 24 Month Olds
Thursdays through February 23
9:30 a.m. to 10 a.m.
Language readiness through nursery rhymes, lap games and songs

Astronomy for All

2012-01-22T19:53:00.000-08:00

Monday, February 27
7 p.m. - 8:45 p.m. (new time)

Astrophysicist Kevin Manning presents a family astronomy program entitled "Astronomy for Everyone: Size & Scale of the Universe", a program for people of all ages about the objects and forces in the universe from the very small to the very large. Complete with an MS PowerPoint slide show, video footage, hands-on activities, and a hand-crafted powerful telescope set up outdoors to observe the jewels of the night sky.

Snowman Story & Craft 1/23/12

2012-01-21T09:46:00.000-08:00

We read (and sang!) Frosty the Snowman and made marshmallow snowmen!

Saturday Story Time 1/14/12

2011-12-28T23:34:00.000-08:00

This Saturday we read snowy stories and made a snowman craft!

Lego Club 12/28/11

2011-12-28T17:29:00.000-08:00

Lego Club met this afternoon! Ask Mrs. Fuhro for more information if you are interested in joining.

Once Upon a Time . . .

2011-11-16T08:08:00.000-08:00

The artist Bea Tobolewski is putting the finishing touches on the children's room.

The official reopening was on November 19. This dog from the Mount Pleasant Animal Shelter was one of the guests present.

Now Open!

2011-11-15T06:22:00.000-08:00

The children's department has reopened! Everyone is welcome to come look at the new carpet and check out some children's books. Story time resumes November 29.

April's "Green" Programs

2011-08-22T08:11:00.000-07:00

A big thank you to one of Mrs. Fuhro's summer volunteers for editing the video taken during the library's "green" activities this past April.

Summer Reading 2011

2011-04-04T00:12:00.000-07:00

June 24 - August 14

Join the “One World, Many Stories” reading club this summer. Programs, prizes and more for young people, preschool to teens. Last year's summer reading program is on YouTube! The video is about 3 minutes long.

Butterfly Story and Craft 8/18/11

2011-03-02T08:19:00.000-08:00

Children made butterflies out of paper, markers and straws after listening to stories about butterflies.

Lego Club 8/17/11

2011-03-01T09:04:00.000-08:00

Lego Club is open to children from ages 7 to 11.

Read to Simber 8/8/11

2011-02-28T08:15:00.000-08:00

Children read to Simber the therapy dog this evening.

Simber is a Bright & Beautiful Certified Therapy Dog, has passed the ACK Canine Good Citizens Test, completed 3 obedience classes and is enrolled in a 4th at St. Huberts. She also takes tracking and sheep herding classes.

Rainbow Story and Craft 8/4/11

2011-02-27T12:40:00.000-08:00

On this cloudy day we read "Who Likes Rain?" by Wong Herbert Lee and "Peony's Rainbow" by Martha Weston and made crepe paper and paper plate rainbows.

Music to Move By 8/1/11

2011-02-26T07:08:00.000-08:00

Family Fun Night continues with Ann Wild's program of movement and song for young children.

Seahorse Story and Craft 7/21/11

2011-02-25T15:26:00.000-08:00

On this 100 degree Fahrenheit afternoon, kids kept cool by listening to Mrs. Fuhro read Eric Carle's "Mister Seahorse" and making their own seahorses.

Irish Dancing 7/15/11

2011-02-24T12:30:00.000-08:00

Today there was a demonstration of Irish dancing and basic instruction for members of the audience.

Story & a Craft 7/14/11

2011-02-23T12:35:00.000-08:00

Children folded and decorated paper houses after today's story time.

Teen Shakespeare Workshop 7/12/11

2011-02-22T08:00:00.000-08:00

Special guest Stephen Yellin taught the teens at today's Shakespeare workshop about improvisation in preparation for the Next Stage Ensemble's performance of Tartuffe on July 22.

Uncle John's Traveling Musical Puppet Show 7/11/11

2011-02-21T08:54:00.000-08:00

John Slevins presented a puppet show and dance party for all ages at this Family Fun Night!

Paws 4 a Cause 7/6/11

2011-02-20T06:52:00.000-08:00

The Seeing Eye puppy raising group came to the library today so the children of Berkeley Heights could meet the dogs and their trainers.

Bubble Craft 6/30/11

2011-02-19T08:52:00.000-08:00

We set a new record for bubbles blown at today's story and a craft!

Lizard Guy 6/27/11

2011-02-18T08:55:00.000-08:00

Enzo the Lizard Guy brought live reptiles to the library, including lizards, snakes and these turtles!

The Flies 5/1/11

2011-02-15T04:29:00.000-08:00

Berkeley Heights Public Library was a stop on The Flies' Fly Paper Tour this year! The 4th grade boy band sensation from Berkeley Heights played original compositions and rock classics.

Brownie Visits the Library

2011-02-14T11:59:00.000-08:00

Last week the library had an impromptu visit from Peter Rabbit's friend Brownie.

Brownie is a mini rex rabbit.

Recycle-Bot Craft 4/23/11

2011-02-14T11:32:00.000-08:00

As part of this month's "green" programs in honor of Earth Day, children made robots and a large "recycle-bot" that holds recyclables.

Celebrate Trees 4/14/11

2011-02-13T20:12:00.000-08:00

Thank you to the Rutgers Cooperative Extension 4-H Master Tree Stewards of Union County, who visited the library with leaf rubbings, tree artifacts, guessing games and more activities for the children and parents in attendance.

A Visit from Illustrator Rachel Hoffman-Bayles 4/5/11

2011-02-13T08:10:00.000-08:00

Rachel Hoffman-Bayles, the illustrator of "Sensing Peace," read her book at story time this morning!

Spring Story and a Craft 3/19/11

2011-02-12T08:15:00.000-08:00

Children made their own bear/bunny caves this morning after listening to Mrs. Fuhro read Hopper Hunts for Spring by Marcus Pfister.

Family Music Time 2/21/11

2010-12-31T15:52:00.000-08:00

The concert by local youth was a big hit with families!

Happy Holidays

2010-10-28T06:22:00.000-07:00

The library closes at 1 p.m. on Friday, December 30 and is closed all day January 1.

BHPL is closed on Friday 12/24 and Saturday 12/25 and reopens Sunday 12/26 at 2 p.m.

Music to Move by with Ann Wild 11/17/10

2010-09-12T11:42:00.000-07:00

Toddlers loved "popping popcorn" with the parachute this morning at Music to Move By! They also marched like dinosaurs and played Ring Around the Rosie.

Stuffed Animal Sleepover 9/27/10

2010-08-21T23:48:00.000-07:00

Kids brought their favorite stuffed animals and dolls for a sleepover at the library. Simber the service dog even brought her favorite toys. After a lively evening of stories at Pajama Story Time, the animals got tucked in for the night (but not before getting into some mischief first).

Families Read at BHPL

2010-08-20T23:38:00.000-07:00

A family reading a story book at the library. Come make your own story time at the library!

Make a Splash - READ!

2010-08-20T09:55:00.000-07:00

Summer Reading Club members who earned a certificate by reading 15 minutes per day may begin picking up their certificates on August 20.

Story Time with the ECC Principal 8/17/10

2010-08-20T00:53:00.000-07:00

Anne Corley-Hand of the Early Childhood Center at the Mary Kay McMillin Early Childhood Center read at story time and met incoming ECC students on August 17.

Lizard Guys 8/17/10

2010-08-16T07:20:00.000-07:00

Enzo the Lizard Guy brought lots of reptiles to the library.

Irish Dance Lesson 8/10/10

2010-08-15T12:44:00.000-07:00

Anya Daneluk taught a class on Irish step dancing.

Dirty Joe the Pirate 8/4/10

2010-08-14T11:23:00.000-07:00

Actor & teacher Joey Rizzolo of Youth Stages Story gave pirate lessons.

Live at the Library: The Flies 8/2/10

2010-08-13T14:12:00.000-07:00

The local band The Flies performed at the library.

Music to Move By with Ann Wild 7/28/10

2010-08-13T07:21:00.000-07:00

Ann Wild performed and inspired the children who attended Music to Move By to make their own music.

Author Story Time with Ginger Pate 7/27/10

2010-08-12T07:14:00.000-07:00

Ginger Pate read her book, Would You Invite a Skunk to Your Wedding? and brought Louie the skunk with her.

Author Visit: Morasha Winokur 7/26/10

2010-08-11T12:06:00.000-07:00

Morasha Winokur, 11-year old author of My Invisible World: Life with My Brother, His Disability and His Service Dog, presented a program accompanied by her mother and Chancer.

Rainbow Craft Story Time 7/13/10

2010-08-03T10:12:00.000-07:00

Children made rainbows at Story Time for Ages 3 and Up.

Magic Show with Mark Zacharia 7/12/10

2010-08-03T03:30:00.000-07:00

Mark Zacharia's performance was magic!

Irish Step Dancing 7/2/10

2010-08-03T02:21:00.000-07:00

Students of Christina Buganski, instructor for the Deirdre Shea School of Irish Dance, performed and taught the audience Irish dances this summer.

Read to Simber 6/28/10

2010-08-02T13:43:00.000-07:00

Simber the therapy dog listened to children read to her this evening.

Chess - Summer 2010

2010-08-02T06:13:00.000-07:00

Kids and teens dropped in to play chess every Tuesday afternoon this summer.

Wii Gaming - Summer 2010

2010-08-01T07:45:00.000-07:00

Kids played Super Smash Bros Brawl and Mario Kart on the wall of the meeting room this summer.

Octopus Hug 6/24/10

2010-08-01T06:21:00.000-07:00

Actor & teacher Joey Rizzolo of Youth Stages Story performed at Mother Goose Story Time and read Octopus Hug by Laurence Pringle.

Kids Can Learn a Language Online with Mango

2010-07-31T13:22:00.000-07:00

The library now offers online video courses for foreign languages via its subscription to Mango Languages. Mango's "Little Pim" courses are for ages 0 through 6. The languages offered are Arabic (Levantine), Chinese (Mandarin), French, German, Hebrew, Italian, Japanese, Russian and Spanish.

a Hebrew lesson

Mango Languages also offers courses in over 20 languages for adults if you can squeeze any time in for yourself. Click here to get started with Mango.

Ride On Over to the Library!

2010-05-14T13:52:00.000-07:00

There's plenty of bike (and trike) parking.

Nifty Heelers Puppy Program 5/14/10

2010-04-19T19:01:00.000-07:00

John Stochaj and the 4H Nifty Heelers came to demonstrate and speak about how they raise puppies for The Seeing Eye, the guide dog school in Morristown.

Penguin Pointers 04/24/10

2010-04-14T10:10:00.000-07:00

Thank you to everyone who attended the Penguin Pointers fundraiser on April 24. The children had a great time seeing a real, live South African penguin!

Story & Craft 4/17/10

2010-04-13T10:48:00.000-07:00

Today children listened to a story about penguins and made a penguin craft. They're getting ready for the Penguin Pointers program on April 24!

Wii Gaming 4/7/10

2010-02-17T02:57:00.000-08:00

Kids stopped by BHPL on their spring break to play MarioKart and Super Smash Bros. Brawl today.

Saturday Story & Crafts 3/6/10

2010-02-17T02:56:00.000-08:00

This Saturday children listened to stories about lions and made paper lions of their own. The book pictured above is Let's Make a Lion With Everyday Materials by D.M. Heller.

MOMS Club Book Drive

2010-02-16T11:11:00.000-08:00

This annual program gives parents a chance to celebrate their children by buying books from a wish list of titles and dedicating those books to their children. The books will be marked with special bookplates and become a part of the children’s collection for years to come. Books may be selected during the month of April. Donations are tax deductible!

Garden State Children's Book Awards

2010-01-10T08:17:00.000-08:00

Here are the 2010 Garden State Children's Book Award winners. You can check them all out from BHPL!

EASY-TO-READ BOOK
Today I Will Fly by Mo Willems

EASY-TO-READ SERIES BOOK
There was an Old Lady Who Swallowed Fly Guy
by Tedd Arnold

FICTION, GRADES 2 - 5
Diary of a Wimpy Kid
by Jeff Kinney

NON-FICTION, GRADES 2 - 5
Owen and Mzee: The Language of Friendship
By Craig Hatkoff, Isabella Hatkoff, and Dr. Paula Kahumba

Wii Gaming 12/29/09

2009-08-29T10:48:00.000-07:00

On this bitterly cold day, children at the library stayed warm playing Super Smash Bros Brawl and Mario Kart. Four kids could play each other at a time on each game and the screens were projected onto the wall.

Simber the Dog 12/07/09

2009-08-23T11:59:00.000-07:00

Simber the amazing listening dog came to the children's department last night and was read to by several children. Simba is a certified Bright and Beautiful Certified Therapy Dog.

Yoga Storytime 11/23/09

2009-08-22T08:03:00.000-07:00

Miss Jen from Powerflow Kids Yoga Studio in Chatham led yoga storytime. The kids acted out the poses along with the story.

Strong Star Readers

2009-08-20T16:31:00.001-07:00

Calling all strong readers! Your photo op awaits in the children's department of the library.

Star readers also welcome . . .

Storytime with the Principal 8/11/9

2009-08-11T08:08:00.001-07:00

Anne Corley, principal of Mary Kay McMillin School (formerly Hamilton Terrace), read Where the Wild Things Are by Maurice Sendak to us at storytime today!

Early Literacy Stations

2009-04-10T17:00:00.000-07:00

The 3 Early Literacy Stations at the Berkeley Heights Public Library have over 35 educational software programs on them for ages 2 through 10. They teach word recognition, numbers, shapes, patterns, letters, rhyming and colors among other things. They're very popular with the kids!

Lizard Guys 8/3/9

2009-04-10T15:00:00.000-07:00

The Lizard Guys brought live lizards, snakes, turtles, frogs and insects to the library last night!

Wii Family Night 7/27/9

2009-04-10T14:24:00.000-07:00

Berkeley Heights kids had fun playing MarioKart, Wii Sports like bowling, baseball and tennis, and Super Smash Brothers Brawl last night. The videogames were projected onto the wall!

Uncle John's Traveling Puppet Show and Dance Party 7/20/9

2009-04-10T13:21:00.000-07:00

Puppeteer John Slevins presented a puppet show with a dance party at the end!

The Library is Buzzing . . .

2009-04-10T09:28:00.000-07:00

There are a lot of kids coming in to the library this summer!

Toddlers Boogie On 7/2/9

2009-04-10T06:31:00.000-07:00

Thursday, July 2

A singing, swinging, toddling crowd boogied down with Ann Wild this morning. The cuteness quotient was through the roof. Through song, movement, guitar, and props, Ann Wild creates a music environment that inspires the music-maker in you and your child! Children, caregivers and parents bopped to Motown and more, waved scarves, rattled rattles and other percussion instruments. Ms. Wild always has the whole crowd join in with her irresistible energy and toe-tapping sound tracks.

Irish Dancing with Christine Buganski 6/26/09

2009-04-09T13:00:00.000-07:00

Irish dancers dazzled a full house on Friday, June 26 at BHPL in a high-stepping performance that included audience participation!

4-H Nifty Heelers: Guide Dog Pups Visit the Library 5/30/9

2009-04-08T11:20:00.000-07:00

On Saturday, May 30, the Berkeley Heights Public Library went to the dogs. In a good way. Families were delighted by the five visiting puppies from the 4-H Nifty Heelers Program. John Stochaj, whose family has raised many puppies for the Seeing Eye of Morristown, NJ brought his Black Labrador Guy who lay quietly at his feet as the audience learned about how future guide dogs are prepared for a life serving a blind person. Families raise puppies bred by the Seeing Eye for the first 18 months of their life, taking them everywhere to acclimate them to all kinds of experiences. Mr. Stochaj told stories of taking the puppies on the train to a baseball game in Newark, visiting the local fire station, visiting the Post Office, local stores and of course the library where the pups are wonderful patrons. After a year and a half, the puppies are returned to the Seeing Eye, assigned to a blind person and then master and dog take a month of further training before going off in the world together. It's a wonderful program for people who can make the commitment of time and training needed for these very special service dogs.

Pictured: Guy a Black Lab (with blue collar); Pepper, the GSD (click on dog's name for a picture in our other blog); Navajo, a Yellow Lab and housemate of Pepper; Brandon, a lab/retriever mix (turned up ear) only seven months but quite large and lively and Nancy, a Golden Retriever. They were all well-behaved and posed nicely for the camera.

Magic Show with Mark Zacharia 6/29/9

2009-04-07T06:25:00.000-07:00

Families caught the Reading Bug with this family program of comedy, magic and a group Kazoo SymPhony. The Boy Scout band, the Flys, also entertained.

New Children's Books

2009-03-22T10:38:00.000-07:00

You can sign up for an email newsletter that lets you know what books the library received or ordered this week! Here's a sneak peek of the new children's books list. Just click Sign Up at the top of that page to have the list delivered to your inbox. You can also go and look at the list on the library home page - look for the button called New Items.

Beginner Magic Workshop 4/7/9

2009-02-08T08:00:00.000-08:00

The magician Brian Richards taught us how to perform magic tricks today.

The Secret Adventures of Louie V 3/21/9

2009-02-07T10:00:00.000-08:00

Author Tracey Delio read The Secret Adventures of Louie V, the story of her mischievous Siamese cat, and showed us how this children’s picture book was created.

The Seems! 3/4/9

2009-02-06T11:51:00.000-08:00

John Hulme and Michael Wexler, authors of the YA sci-fi adventure series The Seems, came by the Berkeley Heights Public Library today for a program and signed books afterwards. Thanks, guys!

The Seems is a secret organization that makes sure our world keeps running, and more importantly, sticks to The Plan that’s been made for it. But The Plan, and The Seems for that matter, would be nothing without the people in it, and that’s where 13-year-old Becker Drane of Highland Park, NJ comes in. When a Glitch is reported in the Department of Sleep, Becker is dispatched to Fix it, but he’s not so sure this is a routine mission.

Garden State Children's Book Awards

2009-01-20T08:55:00.000-08:00

The Garden State Children's Book Awards have been announced!

EASY-TO-READ BOOK
Super Fly Guy by Tedd Arnold

EASY-TO-READ SERIES BOOK
Henry and Mudge and the Big Sleepover
by Cynthia Rylant

FICTION, GRADES 2 - 5
Captain Underpants and the Preposterous Plight of the Purple Potty People
by Dav Pilkey

NON-FICTION, GRADES 2 – 5
The Magic School Bus and the Science Fair Expedition
by Joanna Cole

New Year's Celebration 12/30/08

2008-12-15T12:29:00.000-08:00

We welcomed the New Year a bit early with the traditional countdown,
bell ringing, and noisemakers!

Readathon 11/23/08

2008-12-01T08:57:00.000-08:00

Girl Scout Troop No. 632 hosted a readathon to celebrate the recent opening of the renovated Children’s Department. Local teachers, officials and scouts read from their favorite children’s books.

We're Open!

2008-10-08T10:29:00.000-07:00

The children's room has reopened! Please come in and see it for yourself. Storytime is back to its regular schedule starting October 14.

"The Teen Lounge of Awesomeness"

Renovation Update

2008-09-17T14:02:00.000-07:00

In addition to the new layout, we've got new lighting, carpet, paint, ceiling supports and shelving.

Shelves waiting for some great books to be placed on them!

Staff working on the shelves.

New Photos of the Children's Room

2008-09-08T11:52:00.000-07:00

Computer nooks where the checkout desk used to be.

This was taken from where the checkout desk used to be, looking out toward the parking lot.

The corner where the copier used to be (now a space for kids and teens).

Renovation Update

2008-08-26T07:05:00.000-07:00

The renovation of the Children’s Department at Berkeley Heights Public Library will continue into September. A select collection of picture books through Young Adult titles is available on the Upper Level. However, seating and study space is very limited. Also, fewer Internet computers are available and time limits will be enforced. We thank everyone, in advance, for their patience. For your convenience, remember that your Berkeley Heights library card can also be used at nearby libraries such as Summit, New Providence, Chatham and Scotch Plains. Watch for the announcement of our reopening.

The Children's Place

2008-07-29T07:01:00.001-07:00

Paddington Bear guards the children's section, which is nestled in adult fiction.

Picture books are located under the American flag. Books from school reading lists are behind the turkeys. CORRECTION: Mrs. Fuhro has kindly pointed out that the "turkeys" are actually chickens, Sandra Boynton's Philadelphia Chickens, to be exact. She also says we have a book and even a music CD starring the Philadelphia Chickens.

Look for the yellow dog if you're looking for J fiction.

Children's Room Renovations

2008-07-28T12:36:00.001-07:00

The children's room has been cleared out and the renovation will begin on Wednesday, July 30.

We have moved the most essential books from all of the children's and young adult collections to the upper level.

You can also use your library card at many nearby libraries, including New Providence, Summit, Madison and Chatham.
We will reopen the new and improved children's room sometime in September!

Lizard Guys 07/17/09

2008-05-23T04:00:00.000-07:00

Reptiles invaded the library today!

Magic Show 6/21/8

2008-05-22T16:09:00.000-07:00

Mark Zacharia performed magic . . and then the audience performed a kazoo SymPhony!

Grandma Connie 04/15/08

2008-04-09T11:00:00.000-07:00

Grandma Connie dressed up in a Mets uniform, read Let's Go, Yankees! by Yogi Berra and some other stories, told us what a mascot was and sang Take Me Out to the Ballgame!

Music to Move By 2/9/2008

2008-01-20T08:04:00.000-08:00

We had a great turnout for Music to Move By with Ann Wild, despite the snow! Kids and their parents alike enjoyed singing and moving with the music.

Healthy Bear 01/26/08

2008-01-18T11:29:00.000-08:00

Healthy Bear and author Hope Weinstein came by on Saturday and made smoothies from her new children's cookbook.

Happy New Year!

2007-12-02T12:16:00.000-08:00

About 50 children and adults rang in the New Year on Dec. 27th with the traditional countdown, bell ringing, noisemaker craft, music, dancing and a story.

New Database : CultureGrams

2007-09-18T13:50:00.000-07:00

CultureGrams is a new database that you can access from your home computer through the library web site. Just click on Remote Databases and log in with your library card number and PIN.

CultureGrams has a wealth of reports on U.S. states, Canadian provinces, and countries around the world. It even provides 5 recipes from each country in its database - main dishes, side dishes, and desserts from around the world. Mmmm!

Music Together 9/19/07

2007-09-04T06:15:00.000-07:00

The sound of songs and chants filled the library today as part of Patricia Price's music class, Music Together. Our next musical program for children is Music to Move By with Ann Wild on October 5 at 10 am.

New Database for School Research

2007-08-15T11:24:00.000-07:00

The library is now subscribing to Grolier Online, an online database of encyclopedias, maps, biographies, magazines and newspapers, dictionaries, current events, science projects, timelines and more. You can access it from home by going to the library web site - just click on Remote Databases and log in with your library card number. Check it out before school starts!

Spook Handy concert 8/13/07

2007-07-31T14:46:00.000-07:00

We had over 70 adults and children come to see Spook Handy, who performed "Travels with Uncle Butch and Cousin Skippy" - a folk music concert with audience participation. Spook Handy was named New Jersey's Best Folk Artist in 2004.

Watch the story with BookFlix!

2007-07-30T06:50:00.000-07:00

You can now read along with or watch children's books with Scholastic BookFlix! To access it or Tumblebooks, BHPL's other online storybook database, go to the library web site and click on Remote Databases. Log in with your library card number and the last 4 digits of your phone number.

Puppet Show 7/30/7

2007-07-29T08:40:00.000-07:00

Uncle John's Traveling Musical Puppet Show had over 100 people attend! We enjoyed the puppet show and the dance party at the end.

Sly's Visit to the Library 7/27/7

2007-07-27T12:48:00.000-07:00

Sly, the New Jersey Nets mascot, visited us at the library today and acted out his favorite story, I'll Teach My Dog 100 Words. We had a great time taking pictures with Sly afterwards and getting his autograph.