Fun for children
With National Library Week wrapping up, the library has a few more programs that kids can enjoy involving poetry, movies and gardening. On Friday, April 17, pre-K kids will be able to celebrate National Poetry Month with singing, rhyming and dancing in PK-1st Poetry Program, from 11:30 to 12:15. No registration is required.
Also on Friday, kids of all ages can enjoy a Vacation Movie with Night at the Museum — Secret of the Tomb, from 2 to 3:30. There is no registration. Caregivers must stay with children under 8, and remain in the building for children ages 8 through 12.
The library’s Children’s Garden Club has its inaugural meeting for this season on Friday, from 4 to 4:45. Throughout the spring, summer, and fall kids will plan, plant, tend, and eat fruits and vegetables in the raised-bed garden on the Old Ridgefield Road side of the building. During the month of April, children will plan the garden and prepare for springtime planting. This is a fun activity for the whole family. Please contact the head of the Children’s Library, Andrea Falkner, for more information and to sign up for the program at afalkner@wiltonlibrary.org or 203-762-3950, ext. 225.
On Saturday, April 18, kids can Join the Shelebration!, from 2 to 4, when the library will be celebrating the works of poet Shel Silverstein. Kids can stop by at any time during the two hours to hear some of Silverstein’s zany and silly poems and even try writing or illustrating their own. No registration is required.
Voting for books
Kids in grades 2 through 6 get to vote on their favorite Nutmeg books during Nutmeg Book Award Voting on Monday, April 20, through Friday, April 24. Kids who have read the Elementary or Intermediate Nutmeg Nominees for 2015 are invited to stop by Wilton Library to vote for their favorite book Monday through Thursday, 10 to 8, or Friday, 10 to 6. Ballots will be available at the Children’s Library Reference Desk as well as at the Cider Mill Library Cybrary. Children may only vote once at either the library or the school.
Kids in grades 3 through 5 can join the last Nifty Nutmeggers Book Club on Tuesday, April 21, from 3 to 3:45 and vote for their favorite books then. Pizza will accompany the voting. There are two levels for children: Elementary (grades 2-4) and Intermediate (grades 4-6). Kids can choose to read one of the assigned monthly books or all two or three. Book discussions, snacks, games, and other book-related activities are all part of the fun. This month’s book choices are The Trouble with Chickens by Doreen Cronin (Elem.), Zita the Spacegirl by Ben Hatke (Elem.), and Shadow by Michael Morpurgo (Inter.) This program is a partnership between Wilton Library and Cider Mill School. Registration is required; there is no fee.
Weir Farm artist exhibition
Tatana Kellner is this month’s Weir Farm artist-in-residence who will be holding her exhibition at the library on Monday, April 20, from 6 to 7:30 p.m. Tatana’s work evolves organically and is focused on the visceral nature of experience. Her pieces are mostly abstract, with the occasional hint of representation. The program is co-sponsored by Weir Farm Art Center and Weir Farm National Historic Site and presented by Wilton Library. There is no charge. Registration is suggested.
Kids examine the future
In a new program at the library, kids will explore the ever-changing boundary between science and science fiction. In “When Can I Have A…?” the lightsaber will be discussed on Tuesday, April 21, from 4 to 5 p.m. Questions will be examined such as “What obstacles stand in the way of these gadgets becoming reality?” “What scientific discoveries are being made that could bring these high-tech marvels to fruition?” “Could a lightsaber really work?” The program is open to grades 3 through 6. Use of Force lightning is prohibited. Expect readings, videos, enthusiastic conversation and enough snacks to satisfy a bantha. Registration is suggested.
Author brings tragedy to light
Best-selling author Erik Larson visits Wilton Library on Tuesday, April 21, from 7 to 8:30 p.m. to discuss his latest nonfiction work, Dead Wake — The Last Crossing of the Lusitania. Getting rave reviews from the New York Times and other sources, the book is timed perfectly for the 100th anniversary of the disaster. Thought to be the best ship on the seas, Larson brings the story to life from various perspectives.
The purchase of the book, Dead Wake, (released March 10th) gains attendees entry into the event. The price is $30 and includes two seats at the event and one hardcover copy of Dead Wake (cost of book $28.00 plus tax), plus the Brown Paper Ticket fee. A portion of the book sales benefits Wilton Library. Additional books will be available for purchase courtesy of Elm Street Books.
There will be a book signing after the talk. Ticket purchase is required. Books may be picked up at the library before the event; otherwise they will be distributed at 6 p.m. on April 21. This is Larson’s only Connecticut appearance. Please note the library will close at 5 p.m. to prepare for the event.
Spring marks annual book sale
With spring weather finally making some headway, it is a reminder that Wilton Library’s Annual Gigantic Book Sale Fundraiser takes place beginning Saturday, April 25 through Tuesday, April 28. Books will be available to early buyers for an admission fee of $15, from 7 to 9 a.m. on Saturday, and then open to the public for free, from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday, buyers can shop from noon to 5
A silent auction of rare books takes place on both Saturday and Sunday. Saturday shoppers will be able to buy hot dogs and beverages while they are at the book sale courtesy of the Rotary Club of Wilton.
Sales continue on Monday, with items half-priced, from 10 to 5, and on Tuesday, bargain hunters will pay $5 per bag, from 10 to 2. There is still time for people to sign up as volunteers to help with this worthy cause. For information, contact Janet Zuckerman at janzuck@gmail.com.
Please note, the library will close at 5 on Tuesday, April 21, to prepare for Erik Larson. To register for programs, visit wiltonlibrary.org and click on Events or call 203-762-3950, ext. 213 for adult programs, ext. 217 for children’s activities and ext. 243 for teen events.