By Karen Mack, Youth Services Librarian
Sedona AZ (December 6, 2011) – Before sharing our youth department news, I want to thank the fantastic group of Mitzvah Day volunteers who cleaned the Children’s Room from top to bottom! We’re ready for the winter holiday season. The month of December at the Sedona Public Library bustles with story time programs and special events. In the coming weeks, we will bring you a morning with Mrs. Santa Claus, our Happy Holiday program, Paws to Read and Saturday Story Stop.
Every Saturday morning in December, for Saturday Story Stop, library staff and volunteers will feature stories and traditions of special days such as Christmas, Posadas, Hanukkah and Kwanzaa. The Children’s Room honors various holidays with eye-catching displays of traditional ornaments and books. Learning about the celebrations and cultures of our world and community brings special joy and happiness at this beautiful time of year. All of the Saturday programs begin at 11:00 a.m., are free and include a craft activity. Mark your calendar, as you will not want your children to miss any of the events.
Last Saturday, our program focused on Posadas, with a bilingual story telling. The celebration of this Hispanic holiday begins on December 16 and continues through Christmas. Posada means “inn” or “place to stay.” To mark this holiday, children typically act out the story of Jesus’ birth.
Saturday, December 10 at 11:00 a.m., we will take a light-hearted look at the Jewish holiday of Hanukkah, also known as the Festival of Lights. The actual holiday begins this year on December 20, at sundown. A candle is lit each night for eight nights to commemorate the rededication of the Temple in Jerusalem after being ruined by the Greeks. Saturday Story Stop, which is especially suitable for ages 3 and up, will reflect on Hanukkah with song, stories, a golden treat and a craft activity.
Thursday morning, December 15, we will welcome Mrs. Santa Claus! Mrs. Claus has delighted thousands of Arizona children (and adults!) with her special style of storytelling, Christmas magic and songs. She’ll also bring the latest information about Santa and the elves. Her program can be appreciated by all age groups, and it is sure to be a fun-filled morning at the library! This 45- minute event is free, there is no need to register, and the program begins at 10:30 am in the Si Birch Community Room.
Saturday, December 17, the Happy Holiday Program begins at 11:00 am. Come and jiggle with joy as library staff and volunteers bring an interactive hour of holiday spirit to the Si Birch Community Room. Guaranteed to make you laugh, this will be a morning of wonderful storytelling, music, action and snacks, followed by an opportunity for children to create and take home their own seasonal crafts.
Saturday, December 31 at 11:00 a.m., Story Stop will celebrate Kwanzaa, which is an African-American, recently initiated celebration. Kwanzaa is a time when African-American families honor their history and ancestors with meaningful traditions centered on community, culture and family. This seven-day celebration begins on December 26. Story Stop will take a lively look at the festivities that go along with a Kwanzaa celebration.
And for children who might enjoy sharing stories with animals, our Paws to Read friends—Ty, Mingus, Apache and Raven—will be visiting the Children’s Room throughout the winter break.
Join in the jollity at the Sedona Public Library this month. For more information about any of the children’s programs, please contact the Youth Services Department at 928-282-7714, ext 19.