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Note: All SCLS libraries will open at NOON on Thursday Dec. 3rd.
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(You will also find links to great websites for families there.)
Because of the Thanksgiving Holiday, we forgot to send a reminder about the Picture Book Contest deadline so are extending it to this weekend. If you’ve created a book – don’t forget to bring it in to the Children’s Desk!
Enter the Bridgewater Library's Second Annual Picture Book Contest for a chance to get your picture book made into a hardcover book and added to our library's collection! Pick up a blank book at the library and return your book by 5 p.m. Saturday Dec. 5th. We’ll have a reception for all the authors/illustrators in January! ( Want to hear other kids’ stories performed? Check out storypirates.org. A Bridgewater Library patron told us about this. )
We're collecting "Books for Kids" Through December 7
Make a difference in a child's life. Please donate a book or books! Started in 1991, "Books for Kids" is a statewide program sponsored by the New Jersey Library Association's Children's Services Section. This program is undertaken with the hope that all children will be able to experience the joy of reading books of their very own. Each year, with the help of over 200 libraries, thousands of books are distributed to children across the state.
Do you have like-new children’s books in your home that your children have outgrown?
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Your books can start a life-long love of reading for children who don’t have ready access to wonderful stories.
SHARE THE GIFT OF READING THIS HOLIDAY SEASON – Bring in your donations of new (or new-looking) books for kids or teens by December 7th.
Programs @ the Library:
Storytimes, Toddler Times, & Baby Times resume December 1st - 18th. Storytimes (Tues. 10 & 1:30), Toddler Times (Wed. & Fri. 10), and Baby Times (Thur. 9:30)
No registration required.
Family Holiday Singalong (All Ages) Saturday, December 05, 2015 10:30 AM - 11:30 AM No registration required.
We'll celebrate the holidays with seasonal tunes and create a cacophonous chorus with our musical instruments!
Music & Movement (Ages birth-3 years) Monday, December 07, 2015 9:45 AM - 10:15 AM Music & Movement (Ages birth-3 years) 10:30 AM - 11:00 AM Registration is required.
Please register each child in your family separately in order to ensure an accurate attendance count.
Clap your hands, stomp your feet, and feel the beat of a fun, lively music class! Led by Beth Stone of Kids' MusicRound.
Friends Concert Series: Lobby Concert - Patty Turse Harp Concert -- Lobby Concert: Part of the 2015-2016 Friends Concert Series Monday, December 07, 2015 12:00 PM - 3:00 PM. Drop in for music, cider and cookies. No registration required.
It's a Wrap! (Ages 3-10) Monday, December 07, 2015 4:30 PM - 5:30 PM. Registration required.We'll share stories and songs about gifts and giving, then create our own wrapping paper and cards. Please wear old clothes or bring a smock as we will be using paint.
Tail Waggin’ Tutors: Children Reading to Dogs (Ages 4+) Tuesday, December 08, 2015 4:00 PM - 5:00 PM Registration in-person or by phone only
Did you know that dogs like listening to stories as much as kids do?
Come to the Bridgewater Library for Tail Waggin’ Tutors, where children will have the opportunity to practice their reading skills by reading a story to Xena the Therapy Dog, a friendly, eight-year-old chocolate labradoodle. Each child will have 10 minutes to read a favorite story to his or her new canine friend.
Caroling with the 4-H Piano/Music Club (All Ages) Saturday, December 12, 2015 11:00 AM - 12:30 PM. No Registration Required.
Join us for a performance by the Somerset County 4-H Piano/Music Club, which consists of teens and children who have a passion for music. The performance will include traditional Christmas songs, followed by a chance for children to try out the instruments and play them for fun! There will also be coloring pages of instruments.
Picture This--Creature Features (Ages 4-9) Monday, December 14, 2015 4:30 PM - 5:30 PM. Registration required.
Hear first hand (or "first paw") why animals look the way they do then create your own "creative creature"!
Lego Club (Ages 5-12) Thursday, December 17, 2015 4:30 PM - 5:30 PM.
Registration is required.
Join us for some fun Lego action! Legos provided.
Please Note: Parents are welcome to stay; however, younger siblings cannot be permitted to join this program.
Mock Caldecott Election--Hosted by the Bridgewater Library (All Ages) Monday, December 28, 2015 1:30 PM - 2:30 PM. Registration is required and begins December 14th.
You’re never too old for picture book! Bring the whole family to see the new picture books everyone is talking about -- then vote for which book you think should win the Caldecott Award for the most notable illustrations. When the official Caldecott Award selections are released on January 11th, we'll see if ours won!
@ the Library for Tweens & Teens
Tween Advisory Board (Grades 4-6) Tuesday, December 1, 2015 7:00 PM - 8:00 PM Registration is required. Earn community service hours by making the library a better place for you and your fellow Tweens! Come tell us what books, movies, video games, and programs you’d like at the library!
Holiday Party: Cookie Decorating (Grades 7-12) Monday, December 14, 2015 7:00 PM - 8:00 PM Registration is required.
Music and mmm holiday cookies to decorate and eat. We’ll also be opening presents—there will be a grab bag of fun gifts!
Teen Advisory Board (Grades 7-12) Tuesday, December 15th, 2015 7:00 PM - 8:00 PM Registration requiredand begins October 27th.
TEENS: YOUR OPINION MATTERS! Do you have suggestions for programs, new books, movies, or video games? Then come to one of our TAB meetings! Community service hours will be awarded for attendance and snacks will be served!
Around the Community:
KNOW A "STAR WARS" FAN? -- ONE-MAN “STAR WARS TRILOGY” SOARS INTO UPAC
WHEN: Friday, Dec. 11 at 8 p.m
WHERE: UCPAC's Mainstage 1601 Irving Street in the heart of Rahway's Arts District and easily accessible to major roads and public transportation.
TICKETS: To purchase tickets, call the box office at 732-499-8226 or visit the website at www.ucpac.org
In advance of the year's most highly anticipated movie, bone up on everything STAR WARS™ as the extremely talented Canadian actor Charles Ross brings his hilarious One-Man STAR WARS™ Trilogy to UCPAC's Mainstage.
Much of Ross' childhood was spent in a galaxy far, far away, watching STAR WARS™ videos over—and over—and over again. The result of this misspent youth is his One-Man STAR WARS™ Trilogy, where he single-handedly plays all the characters, sings the music, flies the ships, fights the battles and condenses the plots into one performance. With thousands of performances, in hundreds of cities, across four continents, the worldwide love affair with this trilogy is phenomenal - and it's been a dream come true for Charles Ross to celebrate that love with generations of fans around the world.
FRACTURED FAIRY TALE @ CRANFORD DRAMATIC CLUB
Rapunzarella White
WHEN: Friday, Dec. 4, 7:30 p.m., Saturday, Dec. 5, 1:30, 4:30 and 7:30 p.m. and Sunday, Dec. 6, at 1:30 and 4:30 p.m.
WHERE: CDC Theatre, 78 Winans Ave. in Cranford
TICKETS: Tickets and information can be found by visiting www.cdctheatre.org.
Begin the holiday season with a musical fractured fairy tale for the whole family! Rapunzarella White is filled with fun!
Rapunzel, Cinderella and Snow White are triplets who are stolen by an angry witch and each is catapulted into her own fractured fairy tale. Each dreams of being rescued by a handsome Prince. Will they be saved? Of course! Beau, Barry and Burly Bob may be a little more bashful and bumbling than bright, but with the help of the Fairy Tailor, and some magic, they all live happily ever after.
TIMELESS CHRISTMAS TALE @ SOMERSET VALLEY PLAYERS
WHEN: December 4 through December 20, Friday and Saturday Evenings at 8:00 pm and Sunday Matinees at 2:00 pm. Added performance Saturday December 12 at 2:00 pm
WHERE: Somerset Valley Players, 689 Amwell Rd./Route 514, Hillsborough
TICKETS: General Admission $20 - Seniors/Students $18 For Further Info: Call 908-369-7469 To Buy Tickets: Visit the website at www.svptheatre.org
Little Susan doesn't believe in Santa Claus. Watch this timeless and touching holiday story as a Macy's Santa brings the joyous spirit of Christmas to New York City. His gentle and noble spirit converts even the deepest cynics into true believers of miracles. Theatre is wheelchair accessible.
Observatory in November -- Thankfulness begins with our stars...
Admission: $8 for one show, $14 for two shows on the same day!
RVCC Planetarium | 118 Lamington Road | North Branch |
The 14 Most Underrated Places In New Jersey That You Must Check Out
New Jersey has dozens of incredible places to visit, but many don’t get nearly the amount of attention that they deserve. When people think Jersey attractions, they think Jenkinson’s, Six Flags and Liberty Science Center. There are plenty of smaller spots that fly under the radar, waiting to be discovered.
LET YOUR FINGERS DO MORE WALKING…
How ‘twisted’ early childhood education has become — from a child development expert
Early childhood development expert Nancy Carlsson-Paige: 'Never in my wildest dreams could I have imagined that we would have to defend children’s right to…
WASHINGTONPOST.COM
Clean Out the Playroom: Donate the Toys Your Kids Don't Play With Anymore! 
Not every place accepts pre-loved toys–here are some charities that do.
NaNoWriMo Contest for Teens (grades 7-12 ) Teens, can you write the best short story? Bridgewater Library is holding a National Novel Writing Month Contest for Teens. Whoever writes the best short story (10-15 pages) will win a $25 Amazon Gift Card. 
The Sky Above Sunday, November 22nd 4:30 pm A planetarium show for families with children on the Autism Spectrum or with other developmental disabilities. 
