EARLY LITERACY (AGES 0-5

SPRING STORYTIMES

Jan. 10 to April 29 All Libraries

Baby Bounce & Read (birth-18 months)

9:30 a.m. Tuesdays Central Library 10 a.m. Fridays North Garland Branch Library 10:15 a.m. Fridays South Garland Branch Library

Toddler Time (18-36 months)

10:30 a.m. Tuesdays Central Library 11 a.m. Fridays North Garland Branch Library 11:15 a.m. Fridays South Garland Branch Library

Preschool Discovery (3-5 years)

9:30 a.m. Thursdays Central Library 10:15 a.m. Wednesdays South Garland Branch Library

Family Read & Play

10 a.m. Wednesdays North Garland Branch Library 10:30 a.m. Saturdays Walnut Creek Branch Library

Cuentos y Cantos

10:30 a.m. los jueves Central Library Thursdays

PLAY & LEARN

11 a.m. Wednesdays, Jan. 11 to April 26 North Garland Branch Library | 972-205-2804 10 a.m. Saturdays, Jan. 14 to April 29 South Garland Branch Library | 972-205-3933 It’s playtime! Families can participate in Play & Learn, a weekly event where families with children ages 0 to 5 can enjoy free playtime.

BOOKWORM BOOK CLUB

1 p.m. Tuesdays Jan. 17; Feb. 21; March 21; and April 18 South Garland Branch Library | 972-205-3933 Each book club meeting will focus on a particular theme. Families are encouraged to read a picture book or an age-appropriate nonfiction book matching the theme and bring it to the meeting to share. Library staff will read another book on the theme aloud before book sharing and extension activities begin. Extension activities will promote early literacy practices and may include arts, crafts or other projects. January theme: hibernation (winter, bears, squirrels); February theme: construction or building; March theme: weather; April theme: gardens (flowers, trees, vegetables).

LITTLE ART EXPLORERS

2:30 p.m. Saturdays, Feb. 4; March 4; and April 1 South Garland Branch Library | 972-205-3933 Little Art Explorers supports early child development by integrating activities that build motor skills, increase vocabulary, improve symbol recognition and encourage emotional awareness.

Attendees focus on the process of making art rather than the end product. February theme: opposite paper collages; March theme: sculpture; April theme: Big Art Day mural painting.

FINGER PAINT PARTY

10:30 a.m. Monday, March 13 Central Library | 972-205-2517 Attendees will learn about mixing colors before making their own colorful paintings using their fingers! Paint-friendly clothing is encouraged. Registration is required and begins Feb. 27. Call 972-205-2517 to register.

FAMILY PLACE PLAYTIME WORKSHOPS

12:15 p.m. Thursdays, March 23 to April 20 South Garland Branch Library | 972-205-3934 During this fun, five-week program series, toddlers ages 1 to 3 and their caregivers can enjoy a special playtime featuring toys, books and art activities. Each week families have the opportunity to spend quality time together, make new friends, and talk one-on-one with a different local professional who specializes in early childhood development areas like early literacy, speech and language, nutrition, and music and movement. Registration is required to attend. Call 972-205-3934 for details and to register beginning March 9.

TINY TOT PROM

12:15 p.m. Tuesday, April 4 South Garland Branch Library | 972-205-3933 Toddlers ages 18 months to 3 years old can attend a specially designed prom just for their age group. Attendees can dress up and put on their dancing shoes and enjoy dancing, singing, snacks and a corsage craft. Photo opportunities will be plentiful. Registration is not required, though it is encouraged. Register by calling 972-205-3934 beginning March 21.