Summer Reading at the Library!
The Ipswich Public Library Children’s Room will be celebrating the theme “Read, Renew, Repeat” with other Massachusetts Libraries throughout the summer.
Please read carefully, as some events require registration. To register for any children’s programs: Go to ipswichlibrary.org/events Click on the program you want and a registration form will appear.
Early Literacy Summer Programs
Preschool Takeout Craft
Each month a preschool craft is prepared and packaged up for young patrons to take home to complete. All of the pieces are provided. Patrons often just need scissors and glue. Pick up craft packets at the Children’s Circulation Desk at the first of each month while supplies last.
Mother Goose on the Loose!
An interactive early literacy program for caregivers with infants through 2-year-olds. Songs, stories, music and finger-plays for caregivers and babies to enjoy together. Ipswich Children’s Room staff are trained in the presentation of this renowned program. Registration is required. Tuesday and Wednesday morning s at 10 a.m.
Mother Goose Lap Sit!
This program is designed especially for caregivers with infants through prewalkers. An interactive program of songs, stories and finger-plays for caregivers and babies to enjoy together on Wednesdays at 9 a.m.
Story Time
For caregivers with children ages 2 to Kindergarten. Adults interact with the child in their care while listening to stories, singing songs, dancing, drumming and participating in large motor-skill activities. The story topic areas are often enhanced with creative flannel board art. This is a great program not only for parents, but for grandparents and their grandchildren or for caregivers who want to participate in Story Time with the children in their care. Siblings welcome. During the summer, this program is on Fridays at 10 a.m.
Music for the Little Ones with Eric Clemenzi and family
A wonderful opportunity to expose children to music in a group setting. Caregivers and children are invited to sing and dance together! Wheels on the bus and Head, Shoulders, Knees and Toes and other classic children’s favorites
Offered this summer on July 1 and August 5 at 10 a.m. in the Collins Room at the Ipswich Public Library. Registration is required.
Vehicle Day
Vehicle Day is a wonderful community event with rescue and construction vehicles and their operators! Friday, July 26 from 10 a.m. to noon in the parking lot of the Ascension Church, 31 County Street, behind the library. Free hot dog picnic provided by the Trustees and the Friends of the Ipswich Public Library.
Phonemic Friends
Phonemic Friends is an interactive pre-literacy program for caregivers with children. Best for 3- to 5 -year-olds and really helpful for rising Kindergarten students.
Together, we will practice important early literacy, language and articulation skills through stories, songs and activities for young children and their caregivers to use together! Program will be provided by a licensed speech-language pathologist. Siblings welcome!
Marianne Hartford is a licensed speech-language pathologist (SLP) with over 15 years combined experience working with kids in schools, early intervention, and telehealth service. As a mom of two, she is passionate about supporting kids by setting them up for the greatest learning and success possible. Marianne is the founder of Great Things! Speech & Executive Function, a private practice located in Ipswich, where she lives with her family. See this recent article from the Ipswich Local News about Marianne Hartford.
June 17 and July 27
Cool Kick-Off Event with Plum Island Pans
June 27 at 5:30 p.m. on the Ipswich Middle Green located beside the Hall-Haskell House at 36 South Main Street
In a wonderful community collaboration, the Ipswich Public Library joins the Homegrown Market, the Ipswich Cultural Council, a local agency which is supported by the Mass Cultural Council, a state agency, and The Friends of the Ipswich Public Library to offer a delightful musical program to Kick-Off Summer Reading.
Come and listen to the summer sounds of the Plum Island Pans, New England’s premiere steel drum band. The band originates from Zach Field Drums & Music in Newburyport. The 4-piece band consists of a lead steel drum, double second steel drums, 6 can bass and a drum set. Plum Island Pans has even performed at Fenway Park for The Boston Red Sox.
For all ages! The program is free and no registration is required.
Topsfield Fair Read and Win
Register in the IPL Children’s Room by July 13. Young readers set a goal for the number of books they will read or have read to them between June 10 and August 17, 2023. They keep track of their books on a reading log that the library will provide and check in with the Children’s Room when they have met their goal.
Winner’s Prize Packages include: One admission ticket (for readers over 8, children under 8 are admitted into the fair for free), one hot dog and drink voucher that the winner can redeem once they are at the Fair, two ride tickets, a “Read and Win” ribbon and a “Read and Win” certificate.
At registration, readers can pick up a “Globe Stress Ball” while supplies last.
“Big Head” Biography Book Club
Thursday, July 12, 3-4 p.m., for rising 3rd-5th graders. Read the assigned “big head” biography of an interesting historical figure, come talk about it with other readers, enjoy a snack, and participate in a fun activity based on the book. Books will be available for registrants several weeks before the program meets.
“I Survived” Book Club
Thursday, Aug. 8, 3-4 p.m., for rising 3rd-5th graders Read the assigned “I Survived” book about a fascinating historical flashpoint in American history, come talk about it with other readers, enjoy a snack, and participate in a fun activity based on the book. Books will be available for registrants several weeks before the program meets.
Summer Radical Readers
Thursday, July 25 and Thursday, Aug. 15, 3-4 p.m., for rising 4th and 5th graders
For children who have previously participated in Radical Readers or for those who would like to see what it’s all about! Read an assigned book prior to each meeting, and come talk about it with other kids who also love books! A snack will be provided. Books will be available for registrants several weeks before each group meets.
Thursday morning Drop-In Crafts
A Drop-In Craft program held Thursday mornings from July 18 to August 22 at 10 a.m. Check the online calendar or pick up a calendar in the Children’s Room. These crafts are more intricate and challenging and are intended for school-age children. Each child under the age of 8 must be accompanied by an adult caregiver to actively assist with the craft. No registration required.
Summer Photo Contest
Children ages 6-13 are invited to participate in our annual summer photo contest! A different theme has been chosen for each of four consecutive weeks. Submissions should be in on July 8, 15, 22 and 29. Please send one photo per child/per email to ipswichlibraryphoto@gmail.com, including the name and age of the child who shot the photo. There are two age categories, 6-9 and 10-13.
Please check in with the Children’s Room for an information sheet containing each week’s theme and deadline. Submissions should be in on July 8, 15, 22 and 29. Winning photos will be featured in the Ipswich Local News and small prizes awarded by the Children’s Room.Each week the winning photographs will be featured in the Ipswich Local News and winners will receive a small prize. Mark your calendars for Aug. 6 from 5:30 to 7 p.m. for the Photo Exhibit and Reception where all submissions will be matted and hung for the public to see!
Register online here. You only need to register once.
Stop by the Children’s Room for more information or to register in-person.
Kid’s Trivia
July 23 and August 13 from 6:30 to 7:30 p.m.
Form a team of up to 4, give the team a splashy name, and see how many trivia questions you can answer! The range of questions will include popular culture, sports, science, literature, and more — all geared to rising 3rd through 6th graders. Just as in adult trivia games, questions will be read aloud and groups will be given a certain amount of time to come up with an answer and write it down. After every 10 questions we will tally up scores. Prizes will be awarded at the end of the game to first- and second-place winners.
The Poop Museum
Monday August 5th from 6 to 7 p.m.
The Poop Museum, presented by award-winning storyteller and teacher, Susie Maguire, covers the serious science of poop and pooping, and is delivered with the silliness that you might imagine accompanying a program about poop for young kids. It is the perfect combination of fun, and fabulous, fascinating facts, so that kids (and parents) never forget what they learned.
Aimed at the 4-9 age group, the program engages kids as young as 3 and as old as 12. Parents and teens love it too! 😂
The program is designed for 45 minutes, but often runs to 55 minutes, with even the youngest children, not wanting it to end!
The program is fast paced but highly interactive. If kids have questions, and they almost always do, the presenter has answers, from her encyclopaedic poop knowledge.
Meteorologist Jason Mikell visits the library!
Friday August 23 at 10 a.m.
Do you know of a child who is fascinated by the weather and always has lots of questions? Then stop by to meet Boston’s Meteorologist, Jason Mikell.
CBS Boston’s meteorologist, Jason Mikell, will visit to talk about weather and climate change dovetailing with our conservation summer theme of Read, Renew, Repeat! Best for children in grades 2 to 5.
