Welcome to our Virtual Children's Department! Click the images below to learn more about our programs, new books, and other library resources.

Programs for Preschoolers

Online Storytime
Tuesdays at 10:00 a.m.
December 1, 15
Let’s get together to share stories, songs and other
fun activities via Zoom. Registration is required for
each week of this program and space is limited.
A Zoom link will be provided within 24 hours of each program.

Preschool Science
Tuesdays at 10:00 a.m.
November 24, December 8
Join us via Zoom for a program that will introduce kids ages 3-5 to the wonders of science. We'll ask questions and make predictions as we explore color, chemical reactions and more. Registration is required for each week of this program and space is limited. Supplies can be picked up in advance; a Zoom link will be provided within 24 hours of the event.

Christmas Storytimes

Tuesday, December 22 at 10:00 a.m.

Wednesday, December 23 at 7:00 p.m.

Ring in the holidays with stories, songs and more during our two Christmas Storytimes. At the end of each program, we will work
together on a craft. Craft kits will be available for pickup
before the program and a Zoom link will be sent within
24 hours of the event.

Registration is required for each storytime and space is limited.

Homemade Holidays

Thursdays at 3:30 p.m.

December 3, 10, 17

Children in grades K-5 are invited to join us for three weeks of holiday crafting fun! We’ll give you all of the supplies needed as well as a Zoom link to do the activities online with us. Registration is required for each program and space is limited.

Week 1: Festive Candy Bowls

Week 2: Gingerbread Houses

Week 3: Woodsy Ornaments

Family Craft Night:

Snowman Luminaries

Wednesday, December 9 at 7:00 p.m.

Light up those cold, dark winter nights with a
welcoming snowman luminary. This activity has steps that are appropriate for all ages, but a parent or guardian must be with children to help with supervision. Supplies may be picked up in advance of the program and a Zoom link for instruction will be sent within 24 hours of the event.

Registration is required and space is limited.

Picture Book Bundles to Go!

2021 Nutmeg
Nominees Announced!

The Nutmeg Book Award is the only book award in the state where KIDS pick the winner. Voting on the 2020 Nutmeg nominees has concluded.

For a complete list of 2021 nominees in each category, visit our Nutmeg Books page HERE.

Reading Lists

Not sure what to read next? Check out these book lists for some new ideas.

Adventures for Children

Books for Animal Lovers in Grades 3-5
Character Counts: Picture Books about Kindness and Caring
Diary of a Wimpy Kid Readalikes
Historical Fiction for Children
Mysteries for Children
Ready for School

Scary Stories for Kids
Science Fiction for Children

Computers in the Children's Area

Early Literacy Computer Station Added

In September 2014, the Youth Services Department added an AWE Early Literacy Computer Station to its list of services. Stocked with more than 40 games that build skills in the areas of reading, words and phonics; science and nature; math and problem solving; reference; music and arts; writing and computer skills; and social studies and geography, this colorful touch-screen computer is great for kids between the ages of 2-8. Users may sign up at the children’s reference desk to use the computer.

Portland Library Computer Information

We have two computers with Internet access in the Children's Department that can be used by patrons under the age of 11. Only children or others accompanied by children are allowed to use these computers.

Please note the following when using the computers:

Parents and guardians will have to sign a Public Computer Procedures form the first time their child uses a computer.
If others are waiting, use is restricted to 30 minutes per user.
There is filtering software on the computers in the Children's Department.
Please, no eating or drinking at the computer.
Our printing rates are as follows: Each user is allowed two free black and white pages. Additional pages are $.15 per page. Color copies are always $.50 per page.

Recommended Websites for Children:

American Library Association's Great Websites for Children

Cool Math Games

Disney Fairy Online Games

1000 Books Before Kindergarten

Raise a reader! 1,000 Books Before Kindergarten is a national reading initiative that encourages parents and caregivers to provide positive, nurturing early experiences by reading aloud daily to their children from birth to age five. Reading to children builds important vocabulary and language skills that are needed for kindergarten. We invite you to participate in this exciting, free program open to children birth to age five.

How long will it take to read 1,000 books? This is a self-paced program that depends on how often you read together. Reading three books together a night—approximately 15 minutes—will mean you will have read 1,095 at the end of one year.

Come into the library and pick up your 1,000 Books Before Kindergartenwelcome packet in the children’s department.

Thank you to the Friends of the Portland Library for funding this program.

Not able to come to the library but want to get started on your next reading journal? Print them out here!