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

Virtual Storytime

Tuesdays at 10:00 a.m.
May 4, 11, 18, 25, June 1, 8
Let’s get together to share stories, songs and a craft via Zoom. Registration is required and space is
limited. Craft supplies will be available for pickup in advance of the program and a Zoom link will be provided within 24 hours of each program.

A Taste of Tourism

Grades K-5

Thursdays at 3:30 p.m.

May 6, 13

Travel the world without having to leave your house! Each week in this international program will have us exploring the cultures, landmarks, and traditions of a different country in the world through stories, games and crafts. Registration is required and space is limited. A Zoom link will be provided within 24 hours of each program.

Family Craft Night:

Mother's Day Flowers and Vases

Wednesday, May 5 at 7:00 p.m. via Zoom

Mother’s Day is May 9 and our Family Craft Night this month will feature a project that can be given as a gift or kept for yourself. This craft has steps that are appropriate for all ages and family members. Supplies can be picked up in advance; a Zoom link will be provided within 24 hours of the event.
Registration is required and space is limited.

2022 Nutmeg Nominees

The 2022 Nutmeg nominees were announced on May 1. Below is the list of nominees in each category. We have several copies of each book at the library, and many are available to borrow as downloadable e-books through the Overdrive and Hoopla links on our library website. The winners of the 2021 Nutmeg Awards will be announced on May 15.

The Nutmeg Book Award encourages children in grades 2-12 to read quality literature and to choose their favorite from a list of ten (fifteen elementary) nominated titles. The award is jointly sponsored by the Connecticut Library Association (CLA) and the Connecticut Association of School Librarians (CASL). Nominees are selected by a committee of students, school librarians and public librarians around the state.

2022 Elementary (grades 2-3)

Big Foot and Little Foot by Ellen Potter
CatStronauts: Mission Moon by Drew Brockington
Dinosaur Lady: The Daring Discoveries of Mary Anning, the First Paleontologist by Linda Skeers
InvestiGATORS by John Patrick Green
Just Ask!: Be Different, Be Brave, Be You by Sonia Sotomayor, art by Rafael López
Little Leaders: Bold Women in Black History by Vashti Harrison
Meet Yasmin! by Saadia Faruqi
Megabat by Anna Humphrey
Moth: An Evolution Story by Isabel Thomas & Daniel Egneus
My Papi Has a Motorcycle by Isabel Quintero
The Proudest Blue: A Story of Hijab and Family by Ibtihaj Muhammad, with S. K. Ali
Seeds Move! by Robin Page
Superlative Birds by Leslie Bulion
The Undefeated by Kwame Alexander & Kadir Nelson
We Are Water Protectors by Carole Lindstrom

2022 Intermediate (grades 4-6)

Clean Getaway by Nic Stone
COG by Greg Van Eekhout
Emmy in the Key of Code by Aimee Lucido
Harbor Me by Jacqueline Woodson
Planet Earth is Blue by Nicole Panteleakos
The Remarkable Journey of Coyote Sunrise by Dan Gemeinhart
Sal & Gabi Break the Universe by Carlos Hernandez
Sanity & Tallulah by Molly Brooks
Wink by Rob Harrell
You Don’t Know Everything Jilly P! by Alex Gino

Picture Book Bundles to Go!

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!