School Age Programs

This family program allows you to sit back and be swept away by a new book each week. Youth Services staff members will read the first few chapters of a book aloud, and then families may finish reading the book.

Each month’s book bundle will be available for pick up at the beginning of the month at both libraries while supplies last. In addition, each book is also available for downloading or streaming on Hoopla and/or Libby.

Tuesdays 11 a.m.
*Video premiere

• June 15: “Saving Winslow” by Sharon Creech
• June 22: “The Secret Zoo” by Bryan Chick
• June 29: “The Wild Robot” by Peter Brown
• July 13: “Monster and Boy” by Hannah Barnaby
• July 20:  “From the Desk of Zoe Washington” by Janae Marks
• July 27: “Emmy and the Incredible Shrinking Rat” by Lynne Jonell
• Aug. 3: “Monsters and Mold” by Asia Citro
  

We're sorry, the June Read With Friends bundles are gone

July bundles will be available Thursday, July 1, while supplies last

August bundles will be available Monday, Aug. 2, while supplies last

Willard’s 2021 Summer Reading Program, Tails and Tales, promotes the joys of reading. Reading logs may be picked up at either library. As an incentive, children from birth to this fall’s fourth graders may earn prizes for reading or being read to. Prizes will be available after every 20 days of reading. Participants may claim their prizes through curbside service or in person at either library. Participants who read a total of 60 days and turn in their logs in by Aug. 13 will be entered into a grand-prize drawing for a gift certificate to a local business.

Click here to download the form in English or Spanish.

• Monday, June 7: Reading begins
• Friday, June 25: Prize one available for 20 days of reading
• Friday, July 16: Prize two available for a total of 40 days of reading
• Friday, Aug. 6: Prize three available for a total of 60 days of reading
• Friday, Aug. 13: Last day to claim prizes and be entered in grand-prize drawing

Many of us have heard the fairy tale "The Three Little Pigs," but have you ever tried to build a house? Join Miss Chelsea and Miss Tynisha as they try to figure out which material is the best to design a miniature house. Will it be straws, sticks, or counting cubes? Use the materials from the June STEAM Grab 'n' Go Kit to find out for yourself.

Wednesday, June 23, 11 a.m.,
Video premieres on Willard’s Facebook and YouTube channels

First, we'll show you how to make a solar oven using STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, And Mathematics) knowledge. Then, we’ll harness the energy from the sun and make a yummy snack. Discover the world of solar energy and all the things you can cook with your new, environmentally friendly oven. Supplies for this program are available in the June STEAM Grab ’n’ Go Bags.

Wednesday, June 30 a.m., 11 a.m.,
Video premieres on Willard’s Facebook and YouTube channels

The summer Grab 'n' Go Kits are jam-packed with activities to supplement the virtual STEAM programs on Wednesdays at 11 a.m. Each program has a coordinating activity that provides a way to deepen children's understandings of science, math, and art. These kits are geared for those going into kindergarten through fourth grade.

At the beginning of each month, kits will be available from both libraries while supplies last.

We're sorry, the June Grab 'n' Go Kits are gone.

The July kits will be available July 1.

The August kits will be available Aug. 2.

Willard Library's 2021 Teen Summer Reading Program, Tails and Tales, gives students going in to grades five through 12 a chance to try something new with some fun challenges.

Your mission, should you choose to embrace your destiny, is to complete enough tasks on this card to earn a bingo. When you finish a challenge mark off that square. A bingo occurs when you complete five squares in a row either horizontal, vertical, or diagonal. And, the Free Space gives you an extra chance to get a bingo!

Once you score a bingo, return your card to either library location to claim your prize.

Or, level up by completing three bingos on your card and turn it in at either library to be entered in a drawing for grand prizes – gift cards to local businesses.

Monday, June 7: First day to begin playing bingo,
Friday, Aug. 13: Last day to turn in bingo cards for prizes and to enter in the drawing for grand prizes

Click here to download the bingo card in English

Click here to download the bingo card in Spanish

Each month this summer, students in fifth through 12th grades may pick up a teen kit from either library while supplies last.

We're sorry, the June Teen Kits are gone

July: Beat the Heat
The July kits for teens will feature activities and materials to help beat the summer heat. Watch the how-to video with Miss Stephanie and Miss Alisha to enjoy the activities in the kits. After the premiere, the video will be available any time on Willard’s Facebook page and YouTube channel.
Thursday, July 1: Kits available from both libraries while supplies last
Monday, July 12, 11 a.m.: Video premiere on Willard’s Facebook and YouTube channels

August: Let's Get Cooking with Ross
We'll cook some delicious and healthy food. This month's kit will have supplies and recipes. Chef and Battle Creek native Thomas Ross Dandridge will show how to make some delicious food in the video. After the premiere, the video will be available any time on Willard’s Facebook page and YouTube channel.
Monday, Aug. 2: Kits available from both libraries while supplies last
Monday, Aug. 9, 11 a.m.: Video premieres on Willard’s Facebook and YouTube channels

We've made it past the halfway mark of Willard’s Summer Reading Program, so let's celebrate our progress with a dance party! Our favorite DJ, Cory Boedecker, will be playing the tunes to keep the party moving. Don't miss this opportunity to shake your tail feather with your favorite library friends.Social distancing guidelines will be followed.

Thursday, July 8, 6-7:30 p.m.,
Helen Warner Branch Amphitheater

Travel back to the Age of Dinosaurs by making dinosaur eggs. This hands-on, slightly messy but super fun activity is sure to be a hit. Then visit either library and walk among the dinosaurs as you compare your footprints to these mighty reptiles.

The materials will be included in the July STEAM Grab 'n' Go Kits.

Wednesday, July 14, 11, a.m.,
Video premieres on Willard’s Facebook and YouTube channels

Miss Nicole and Miss Stephanie will show viewers how to make a paper airplane out of straws. They also will recommend books and resources that kids may use to create other STEAM projects to enjoy indoors or outdoors. The supplies are included in the July STEAM Grab ’n’ Go Bags.

Wednesday, July 21, 11 a.m.,
Video premieres on Willard’s Facebook and YouTube channel