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

WINTER READING CLUB

Paws for Reading--Paws for a Cause!

Thanks to everyone who participated in our Winter Reading Club by completing rows on our Winter Reading BINGO card. The pets of Portland will be receiving a donation of cat and dog food thanks to your hard work! All items will be presented to the Portland Food Bank in early March. We hope you enjoyed this challenge as much as we did!

Programs for Preschoolers

Online Storytime
Tuesdays at 10:00 a.m.
March 9, 23
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.
March 2, 16, 30
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.

Nature Crafting

Grades K-5

Thursdays at 3:30 p.m.

March 4, 11, 18, 25

Explore the great outdoors from the comfort of your home with this six-week program for kids in grades K-5. We'll be exploring the worlds of herbs, spices, seeds, nuts and other natural elements with crafts and other activities.

Registration is required and space is limited. Supplies can be picked up in

advance; a Zoom link will be provided within 24 hours of the event.

Cooking with Food Explorers: Learn to Make Granola Bars

Friday, March 12 at 3:30 p.m.

Celebrate National Nutrition Month with a special program for kids in grades K-5. We will learn to make our own granola bars! All ingredients will be provided to make basic granola bars with chocolate chips. You may opt to provide additional ingredients such as nuts and dried fruit.

Space is limited and registration is required.

Family Craft Night:

Button Rainbow Canvas

Wednesday, March 10 at 7:00 p.m.

“Wishing you a pot o’ gold and all the joy your heart can hold.” —Unknown

Brighten up the end of winter with this St. Patrick’s Day-themed piece of artwork. This activity has steps that are appropriate for all ages, although adult supervision is required. 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.

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!