Events Calendar

Make Your House a Read-Aloud House
TRL's Family Read-Aloud Fest runs March 2-April 12

The Timberland Regional Library District (TRL) announces its 2012 annual districtwide Family Read-Aloud program, an engaging and entertaining early learning initiative taking place at all 27 libraries in the TRL system from March 2 (Dr. Seuss’s birthday) through April 12 (Beverly Cleary’s birthday).

The program is designed around the activity of families reading aloud together in different areas of their homes. Last year’s participants reported reading in a remarkable variety of spaces: the bedroom, living room, family room, dining room, kitchen, bathroom, porch, hallway, office, stairway, garage, garden, car, closet, den, dock, dogs bed, kayak, patio, rec room, and trampoline (perhaps while reading Bounce by Doreen Cronin?)

New, free Family Read-Aloud kit
To start the read-aloud fun, parents, other caregivers and teachers can pick up a free kit of Read-Aloud program materials at any Timberland library beginning March 2 or by signing up on the Read-Aloud webpage at www.TRL.org and downloading materials. The Family Read-Aloud focuses on children from infancy through grade three, but all ages are encouraged to join in.

The new booklists, developed by Youth Services staff throughout the district, are titled 100 Toddler Favorites, which includes books and music, and Books to Read Aloud, a completely revised edition, featuring high appeal read-alouds for ages 3 to12. Parents can also ask for the library’s 100 Books Every Child Should Hear Before Starting School, a list that is in constant demand by parents, teachers, child-care providers, and youth-serving organizations.

More Prizes
Most libraries will have local prize drawings for books and other items at various times during the program. The grand prizes will be backpacks filled with books. In previous years, 5 to 10 grand prizes were drawn. This year, one will be drawn for a family in each of TRLs 27 libraries. Friends of the Library groups throughout the library system have generously provided the hundreds of books that will fill the backpacks. Families may enjoy reading the gift book plates to see the variety of Friends groups that donated the books and the associated libraries.

New Events
Nearly all Timberland libraries have special programs or activities planned. A taste of the variety of programs: Seattles Book-It Repertory Theatre will perform The Lorax and The Sneetches and other Stories by Dr. Seuss at the Aberdeen, Olympia, Lacey and Shelton libraries. There will be Dr. Seuss and Beverly Cleary birthday parties, marionette plays, music and magic programs, fairy tale character hunts, trivia and read-aloud programs, photo-ops for parents of young readers, Runaway Ralph Guessing Jars, a Paws to R.E.A.D pet partner program, a Books & Blankets Dr. Seuss pajama party, and a visit from Charlie Williams, The Noise Guy. Families are welcome to join in any of the activities and events at any Timberland library.

New: Read and Feed
As caring members of their communities, during the first two weeks of the Family Read-Aloud all Timberland libraries invite patrons to bring canned and other non-perishable food items to the library. Libraries will deliver the items to the local food bank or distribution center.

The Early Learning and Literacy Connection
Learning to read begins before children start school. Help your child develop early literacy skills now; this makes it easier for children to learn to read once they begin school. Five of the best ways to help your child get ready to read are: talking, singing, reading, writing, playing Shared reading or reading books together is the single best way to help children develop early literacy skills. Read together every day and talk about the books you read.
(from Every Child Ready to Read a project of the American Library Association)

By focusing on the family reading together in the home and having fun, TRLs Read-Aloud creates legacies of nurturing, creating memories, modeling reading enjoyment, developing readers, and helping children achieve future success at school.

Contact your local Timberland library for more information. Complete details and resources will be in libraries and online at www.TRL.org no later than March 2.

Family Read-Aloud events at Timberland libraries

Events and activities are for families and children of all ages unless ages are specified. Where space or supplies are limited, preference will be given to children.

Grays Harbor Timberland Libraries

Aberdeen, (360) 533-2360

March 3, 11-11:45 a.m., Book-Its The Lorax & The Sneetches and other Stories by Dr. Seuss
March 3, 11 a.m.-1 p.m., SeussFest! Theater, party and a free book for each child
April 7, 1-2:15 p.m., Happy Birthday, Beverly Cleary!

Amanda Park, (360) 288-2725
March 2-April 12, Read-Around the Libraryeven under the tables!

Elma, (360) 482-3737
April 11, 6-7 p.m., Family Fun Night with Cowboy Buck and Elizabeth

Hoquiam, (360) 532-1710
March 7-April 11, 4:30-5 p.m., Folk & Fairy Tales Read-Aloud by the fireplace
March 13, 4:30-5:30 p.m., Junior PageTurners Book Group: Sneetches and Horton and Thidwick, Oh My! Register in advance, grades 1-3
March 27, 4:30-5:30 p.m., Youth PageTurners Book Group: Ramona Quimby Age 8. Register in advance, grades 4-6

McCleary, (360) 495-3368

March 3, 11 a.m.-noon, Reading Magic with Jeff Evans

Montesano Timberland Library (W. H. Abel Memorial Library), (360) 249-4211

• March 3, 2-3 p.m., Reading Magic with Jeff Evans

Oakville, (360) 273-5305

• March 15, 6:30-7:30 p.m., Dr. Seuss Birthday Party

Lewis County Timberland Libraries

Centralia, (360) 736-0183

• March 3-17, Rock On Guessing Jar
• March 10, 2-2:45 p.m., Mary Shaver Marionettes Beauty in the Sleeping Wood

Chehalis, (360) 748-3301

• March 10, 11-11:45 a.m., Mary Shaver Marionettes Beauty in the Sleeping Wood

Packwood, (360) 494-5111

• March 6, 6:30-7:30 p.m., Books & Blankets, Dr. Seuss Fun. Bring a blanket and wear your PJs. LOCATION: White Pass Country Historical Society Museum, 12990 U. S. Hwy 12, Packwood

Salkum, (360) 985-2148

• March 3, 1-3 p.m., Dr. Seuss Birthday Party

Winlock, (360) 785-3461

• March 3, 1:30-3 p.m., Happy Birthday, Dr. Seuss!
• March 6, Oreo Centennial Celebration
• March 17, 11 a.m.-1 p.m., PAWS to R.E.A.D. Read with a friendly dog , for grades 1-6

Mason County Timberland Libraries

Hoodsport, (360) 877-9339

• March 3-31, Horton's Guessing Jar
• March 27-31, Scavenger Hunt for Fairy Tale Characters

Shelton, (360) 426-1362

• March 3, 2:30-3:15 p.m., Book-Its The Lorax & The Sneetches and other Stories by Dr. Seuss

Pacific County Timberland Libraries

Ilwaco, (360) 642-3908

• March 17, 1-2:30 p.m., Family Day celebration for Dr. Seuss and Beverly Cleary. Bring a camera.

Naselle, (360) 484-3877

• March 2-23, Horton's Guessing Jar
• March 24-April 11, Runaway Ralph's Guessing Jar

Ocean Park, (360) 665-4184

• March 2-23, Horton's Guessing Jar
• March 14, 3:15-3:45 p.m., Dr. Seuss Crafts , for grades 1-6
• March 24-April 11, Runaway Ralph's Guessing Jar
• April 11, 3:15-3:45 p.m., Beverly Cleary Crafts , for grades 1-6

Raymond, (360) 942-2408

• March 2, 3:30-4:30 p.m., Dr. Seuss Birthday Party

South Bend, (360) 875-5532

• March 10, 1-2 p.m., Dr. Seuss Birthday Party

Thurston County Timberland Libraries

Lacey, (360) 491-3860

• March 8, Drop by and help build a house & racetrack for Dr. Seuss. , preschool-grade 6
• March 10, 10:30-11:15 a.m., Book-Its The Lorax & The Sneetches and other Stories by Dr. Seuss
• April 2-7, Scavenger Hunt for Fairy Tale Characters
• April 4, 2:30-4:30 p.m., Movie Day for Kids
• April 10, Library Snapshot Day, Photo-ops for families

Olympia, (360) 352-0595

• March 2-April 30, Diary of a Reader activity & prizes , for grades 4-7
• March 3, 11 a.m.-1 p.m., PAWS to R.E.A.D. Read with a friendly dog , for grades 1-6
• March 8, 10:15-11 a.m., Book-Its The Lorax & The Sneetches and other Stories by Dr. Seuss
• April 5, 10-10:55 a.m., Mary Shaver Marionettes Beauty and the Beast. Enter by Adams St. door.

Tenino, (360) 264-2369

• March 3, 11 a.m.-3 p.m., Dr. Seuss Birthday Party

Tumwater, (360) 943-7790

• March 3, 11-11:45 a.m., Noisy Tales with The Noiseguy, Charlie Williams