Sign Up
- Register through Greenwich Library’s READsquared website at www.greenwichlibrary.org/children/summerreading.
- Receive a pair of tie-dye sunglasses just for signing up! Call or visit the Children’s Room at 203-622-7940 to pick up your registration prize!
Check Out
- Borrow books, audiobooks, and eBooks from Greenwich Library or any of its branches, or download or stream eBooks and audiobooks from hoopla, Libby and Tumblebooks. Search the online catalog and our digital collections at greenwichlibrary.org.
- Whether it’s reading a graphic novel, listening to an audiobook, or reading an eBook, it counts as long as its read during the program dates June 1 – August 14.
Earn Raffle Tickets & Win Prizes
- Record your minutes online at www.greenwichlibrary.org/children/summerreading.
- Earn five virtual raffle tickets for reading 360 minutes and five more for reading 720 minutes. Reach the final reading goal of 1080 minutes (18 hours of reading) and get a tie-dye backpack and free book. Virtual raffle tickets can be entered into the online bonus raffle to win one of six great prizes at the end of the program.
- Earn extra raffle tickets by submitting book reviews online in ReadSquared (up to 10), and by attending Greenwich Library children’s programs this summer – one bonus ticket each for attending a program in June, July, or August. Register online for programs at https://greenwichlibrary.evanced.info/signup/calendar.
Greenwich Library continues to support students at public and private schools through its extensive collection of books found school summer reading lists. The website will feature links to Greenwich Public and Independent Schools summer book lists, organized by grade level. Many books are available as downloadable eBooks and audiobooks. Visit greenwich.lib.overdrive.com for the library’s digital collection.
Adults can also take part in Greenwich Library’s Summer Reading Program. Visit the Adult Summer Reading webpage for more information.
Summer Reading is made possible by the Friends of the Greenwich Library.
June Children’s Programs at Greenwich Library
Registration for all the below June programs is available through Greenwich Library’s online calendar at greenwichlibrary.org.
VIRTUAL – Storytime with Ms. Melissa
Held two Wednesdays this month! June 2 & 9, 10 – 10:30 a.m.
Join us virtually for music, movement, puppets, and stories with Greenwich Children’s Librarians! Toddlers and preschoolers (and their parents) register for our live stories via Zoom. We will send you an email invite to storytime – we can’t wait to see you!
VIRTUAL – Afternoon Story/Craft
Held five Wednesdays this month! June 2, 9, 16, 23 & 30, 3 – 3:45 p.m.
Join us for a story and craft program for children ages 2 1/2 and up. Enjoy some fun stories, songs, movement, and a craft as we explore a different theme each session. Call 203-622-6883 to find out the supplies needed for the craft or to schedule a time to pick-up a bag of the supplies on the morning of the program.
VIRTUAL: Bookworms Book Club
Wednesday, June 2, 4 – 5 p.m.
Join us for an online book discussion of Big Foot and Little Foot by Ellen Potter. Participants can place on hold on this title and schedule for no-contact pick up! It’s the story of Hugo, a young Sasquatch who longs for adventure, and Boone, a young boy who longs to see a Sasquatch! When their worlds collide, they become the unlikeliest pair of best friends. This story is a Nutmeg Award nominee and the first in a popular series. Bookworms is a pre-registered program for children in grades 2 and 3 who are reading independently. The day before our program you will receive the Zoom invitation to join the event. Can’t wait to see you!
VIRTUAL – Budding Buddhas Kids Yoga (Ages 2-6)
Held four Thursdays this month! June 3, 10, 17 & 24, 9 – 9:30 a.m.
Experience the joy of yoga presented by Budding Buddhas. Miss Lindsay and Miss Sue will lead parents and children (age 2-6) in a 30-minute fun-filled class via Zoom that combines yoga poses, music, and mindfulness activities. The class concludes with “peacetime” (final relaxation).
VIRTUAL – Fiesta de los Cuentos! Bilingual Storytime
Held two Thursdays this month! June 3 & 10, 10 – 10:30 a.m.
Join us for a Spanish and English storytime live via Zoom! Toddlers and preschoolers sing songs, listen to stories, and enjoy this bilingual program
VIRTUAL – Junior Book Club
Thursday, June 3, 4 – 5 p.m.
Join us this month in reading Clean Getaway by Nic Stone. For the life of him, William “Scoob” Lamar can’t seem to stay out of trouble, and now the run-ins at school have led to a lockdown at home. So, when G’ma, Scoob’s favorite person on Earth, asks him to go on an impromptu road trip, he’s in the RV faster than he can say “freedom.” With G’ma’s old maps and a strange pamphlet called the “Travelers’ Green Book” at their side, the pair takes off on a journey down G’ma’s memory lane. But the adventure quickly turns to uncertainty: G’ma keeps changing the license plate, dodging Scoob’s questions, and refusing to check Dad’s voice mails. And the farther they go, the more Scoob realizes that the world hasn’t always been a welcoming place for kids like him, and things aren’t always what they seem—G’ma included.
Outdoor Storytime at Cos Cob Library
Held four Fridays this month! June 4, 11, 18 & 25, 10 – 10:30 a.m.
Join us for storytime outside on the front lawn of Cos Cob Library! Cos Cob looks forward to seeing you again! Please note:
- Each child registered may be accompanied by one grownup.
- Face coverings are required on library premises for age 2 and up.
- Social distancing will be maintained during the program. Family space will be marked out and spaced six feet apart.
- You may bring a blanket or low beach chair to sit on.
- If there is inclement weather, the storytime will be canceled.
VIRTUAL – World Music with Anitra (Cos Cob Library)
Friday, June 4, 3:45 – 4:15 p.m.
Cos Cob Library is delighted to welcome you to our children’s concert with local resident and talented singer, Anitra Brooks. Brooks sings in five different languages and teaches the audience the refrains so they can sing parts of the songs along with her. This concert is geared toward preschoolers and early elementary school students, but older children and adults are welcome.
VIRTUAL – Storytime with Ms. Lauren
Monday, June 7, 10 – 10:30 a.m.
Join us virtually for music, movement, puppets, and stories with Greenwich Children’s Librarians! Toddlers and preschoolers (and their parents) register for our live stories via Zoom. We will send you an email invite to storytime. Greenwich Librarians can’t wait to see you!
VIRTUAL – Make it Monday (Grades K-2)
Monday, June 7, 4 – 5 p.m.
Students in grades K-2 will learn new skills and create a unique craft each month. No experience necessary; all materials provided. Craft materials will be ready for pick up before each program. You will receive an email with the Zoom link and notification to pick up materials a week before the event. Space is limited; registration required.
VIRTUAL – Falconry Show with Christine’s Critters (Cos Cob Library)
Tuesday, June 8, 4 – 5 p.m.
The Friends and Staff of the Cos Cob Library invite you to join us virtually for an entertaining and educational falconry show with Christine Peyreigne, owner and founder of Christine’s Critters, Inc., a non-profit dedicated to the rescue, rehabilitation, and education of birds of prey and reptiles. Christine’s Critters takes in injured and/or orphaned hawks, owls, falcons, and eagles and after rehabilitation, returns them to the wild for a second chance at life whenever possible. For those birds of prey that are unable to return to the wild due to their injuries, Peyreigne finds them permanent homes at nature centers to become educational ambassadors.
Join us virtually to meet some of their amazing animal ambassadors and learn their stories!
VIRTUAL – Mario the Magician Summer Reading Kickoff
Saturday, June 12, 11 a.m. – 12 p.m.
Mario “The Maker Magician” Marchese is here to kick off summer! Mario performs an all-ages theater show full of home-spun magic, DIY robotics, and punk rock slapstick. It’s magic through the lens of the maker movement. Mario is a NY-based performer who tours nationally, and he has created an innovative virtual experience to share with Greenwich Library. Mario has appeared on Sesame Street, Universal Kids, HGTV, and on tour with David Blaine (who calls him the best magician in the world!). He is also the author of The Maker Magician’s Handbook. His lecture for magicians won him the 2020 Lecture of the Year Award from Penguin Magic.
This program kicks off summer reading! Join Reading Colors Your World Summer Reading Program at Greenwich Library.
VIRTUAL – Sing Along with Tom Weber
Saturday, June 19, 10:30 – 11 a.m.
Tom’s high-energy performances are filled with interactive movement, props, singing, dancing, and lots of energetic fun! His repertoire includes original songs as well as traditional favorites. Tom’s music gets children moving, singing, feeling confident, and having fun!
Summer Storytime in the Courtyard at Greenwich Library
Held six times this month! Monday, June 14, 21 & 28, and Tuesday, June 16, 23 & 30, 10 – 10:30 a.m.
Join us for an in-person storytime outside Greenwich Library at our Baxter Courtyard! The courtyard is located between the Greenwich Library main entrance and the theater lobby. Please note:
- Each child registered may be accompanied by one grownup.
- Face coverings are required on library premises for age 2 and up.
- Social distancing will be maintained during the program. Family space will be marked out and will be spaced six feet apart.
- You may bring a blanket or low beach chair to sit on.
VIRTUAL – Cooking Demo for Dad with Lucia (Byram Shubert Library)
Tuesday, June 15, 4 – 5 p.m.
In honor of Father’s Day, join us for this interactive cooking class and get some ideas about how to prepare dishes your dad is sure to love. This program is sponsored by the Friends of Byram Shubert Library.
VIRTUAL – Summer Reading Opening with Byram Shubert Library: A Book a Mouse and the Moon Puppet Show with Mr. Rogers
Thursday, June 17, 10 – 11 a.m.
Let’s welcome back and enjoy our favorite puppeteer, Robert Rogers! Winnie Mouse wants to visit the moon, But how? And what does a book have to do with it? Every night she gazes through her telescope and wonders, and her friends, Freddie Frog and Jasper Rabbit want to help. At first, getting there by spaceship is a tall order. Then they use their imagination and sense of adventure to give Winnie the trip of her life. Join us for this fun puppet show that kicks off Summer Reading with Byram Shubert Library!
VIRTUAL – Reading Colors Your World: Craft and Stories (Byram Shubert Library)
Saturday, June 19, 10:30 – 11:30 a.m.
Join Nicole and Miguel at Byram Shubert Library for a colorful themed craft that will color your world this Saturday! This event is part of the Library’s Reading Colors Your World Summer Reading program. Call Byram Shubert Library (203-273-5532) to arrange to pick up your free craft kit prior to the event.
VIRTUAL – Petite Concert
Tuesday, June 22, 11 – 11:30 a.m.
Petite Concerts are 30-minute live concerts for the youngest of listeners! From newborns to preschoolers, these concerts are informal and interactive and contain well known (and very short) musical selections with violinists Chi-Chi Bestmann and Chie Yoshinaka.
Innovation Lab for Kids
Tuesday, June 29, 4 – 5 p.m.
The Greenwich Library Children’s Room is partnering with the Library’s new Innovation Lab this summer! Children will pick up program supplies at the library before each program, and events will be presented virtually via Zoom so you can attend wherever you are! This program series is appropriate for children ages 8 to 12. Topics will include paper circuits, bristle bots, 3D Printing, Laser engraving, and more.
Library Contacts: Main Library: Children’s Librarian Deirdre Sullivan, dsullivan@greenwichlibrary.org; Cos Cob Library Branch Manager Laura Matthews, lmatthews@greenwichlibrary.org; Byram Shubert Library: Branch Manager Miguel Garcia-Colon, mcolon@greenwichlibrary.org.
Stay up to date by subscribing to Greenwich Library’s email newsletters on topics such as AuthorsLive, Business, Music, Technology Training, Teens and more at http://www.greenwichlibrary.org/enews. Follow us on Instagram and Twitter @GWLibrary or find us on http://www.facebook.com/GreenwichLibrary.
About Greenwich Library
The Greenwich Library system consists of the Main Library and its Byram Shubert and Cos Cob branches. The mission of Greenwich Library is to provide exceptional resources, programs and services that promote the joy of lifelong learning and discovery, and to offer a welcoming place for people to gather and share experiences. With over 2,000 programs and events per year, the Library seeks to serve as the cultural and intellectual crossroads of the community. Greenwich Library has a total circulation of about 1.2 million, the highest reported in Connecticut. Greenwich Library was recently named a five-star library by Library Journal for the 11th time. Greenwich Library is located at 101 West Putnam Avenue in Greenwich. Cos Cob Library is located at 5 Sinawoy Road in Cos Cob. Byram Shubert Library is located at 21 Mead Avenue in Greenwich. More information is available online at www.greenwichlibrary.org or by calling 203-622-7900.
