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Preschool Programs in English
Preschool Programs
Our preschool programs offer age-appropriate books, finger plays, songs, rhymes, puppets, crafts and other book-related activities. Parents or caregivers are asked to participate in our sessions.
Storytime and Crafts with Kristina
Russell Branch
Children aged 3 to 4.
Wednesdays 10:30 to 11:30 AM
February 6 – May 1 (13 weeks)
Cost: $25. Places are limited. Registration required.
Babies and Books
Russell Branch
Songs, rhymes, fingerplays and other book-related activities.
Children 0 to 18 months old and their parent or caregiver.
Thursdays 10 to 10:30 AM
January 17 – May 2
No cost. Drop-in program.
Toddler Time
Russell Branch
Stories, songs and games.
Children 18 to 36 months old and their parent or caregiver.
Fridays 10 to 10:30 AM
February 1 to May 3
No cost. Drop-in program.
Complete list of programs and activities for children in English »
Register for programs and events »
Early Literacy
Learning starts at birth
Research shows that children learn the skills they need to read years before they start school. There are 6
pre-reading skills that children must acquire in order to learn to read successfully.
These skills are as follows:
- Print Awareness
- Phonological Awareness
- Print Motivation
- Vocabulary
- Narrative Skills
- Letter Knowledge
Parents and Caregivers
Parents and caregivers play an important role in helping children get ready to read. Your children learn best by doing things and they love doing things with you! Early childhood is a magical time for learning and exploration, and there’s so much for you and your young child to discover at the Township of Russell Public Library.
You are the key to your child’s success in reading…
Read. Talk. Play.
There is a direct connection between reading aloud and later reading success. Ask your child questions as you read aloud, and talk about the pictures to involve your child in the story. Children who grow up in conversational homes – with parents who talk to them and encourage them to talk – have an edge over children who hear very little language. Have fun with word games and making up silly songs and rhymes. Children who play with sounds of words before they enter school are better prepared to learn to read.
Kids Programs in English
Junior Book Club
Russell Branch
Children grades 3 to 5.
First Thursday of the month
4 – 4:45 PM
January 7 (2nd Monday):The Borrowers by Mary Norton
February 7: Escape from Mr. Lemoncello’s Library by Chris Grabeinstein
March 7: The Forbidden Library by Django Wexler
April 4: Tuesday’s at the Castle by Jessica Day George
May 2: Charlie Bone by Jenny Nimmo
No cost. Places are limited.
Youth Book Club
Russell Branch
For grades 6 to 8.
First Tuesday of the month
4 – 4:45 PM
January 8 (2nd Tuesday): Sherlock Holmes by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle
February 5: Payback by Gordon Korman
March 5: The Blackthorn Key by Kevin Sands
April 2: The Traitor’s Game by Jennifer A. Nielson
May 7: A Shadow Bright and Burning by Jessica Cluess
No cost. Places are limited.
LEGO Tinkerbots Club
Russell Branch
Children 7 years old +.
2nd Thursday of the month 3:45 to 4:45 PM
(February 14, March 21 (3rd Thursday), April 11)
Equipment provided. No cost:
Places are limited. Registration required.
Build Robots with Tinkerbots
Russell Branch
Children 8 years old +.
2nd Saturday of the month 2 to 3 PM
(February 9, March 9, April 13, May 11)
Reserve a Tinkerbots kit and have fun creating different robots.
Children 8 to 12 years old must be accompanied by an adult.
Minecraft Club
Russell Branch
Children 7 years old +.
3rd Wednesday of the month 4 to 5 PM
(Jan 16, Feb 20, March 20, April 17, May 15)
Tablets provided. No cost.
Places are limited. Registration required.
Kids Events in English
Storytime in Pyjamas
It’s Spring!
Russell Branch
Children 5-7 years old.
Friday, April 12 6:30 PM
Spring stories, crafts and special treats.
Costs: $7. Places are limited. Registration required.
Mixed Media Art Workshop
With The Art Cart (mobile) Arts Studio
Russell Branch
Children 6 years old and +
Saturday, February 2 2 to 3:30 PM
Participants will learn various materials and techniques to create a unique piece of art.
Costs: $5. Places are limited. Registration required.
March Break Fun at the Library
Russell Branch
All activities are free. Registration is required.
Monday, March 11 – 2 PM
LEGO Challenges
Children 5 to 12 years old.
Tuesday, March 12 – 2 PM
Craft: Winter Birds
Children 4 to 8 years old.
Wednesday, March 13 – 2 PM
Let’s Talk Science: the tree of life.
Children 4 to 8 years old.
Thursday, March 14 – 2 PM
Dungeons and Dragons
Children 10 and +
Parrot Show
Russell Branch
Children of all ages. Bilingual show.
Friday, March 15 10:30 AM
Cost: $3 per child. Free for children under one year old.
Places are limited. Registration required.
Kids programs and events in French »
Click here to register!Resources for parents
Today’s Parents
A website about pregnancy, baby and toddler advice for Canadian parents.
The Canadian Children’s Book Centre
The Canadian Children’s Book Centre (CCBC) is a national, not-for-profit organization dedicated to encouraging, promoting and supporting the reading, writing, illustrating and publishing of Canadian books for young readers.
Tech Savvy Kids
Early Literacy Workstations
Kids from the ages of 2 to 8 have access to a bilingual early literacy workstation in each library branch. This special computer, which is equipped with a colourful keyboard and LCD screen, offers a full range of English and French educational software programs.
Giant Touch screen Computer + iPads
Also available in the Kids Section of both library branches are a giant touchscreen computer and iPads which are equipped with educational applications in English and French.
Cool Apps for Kids
Get appy with this list of recommended iPad apps for kids!
Animal Sounds
Builds vocabulary and the ability to hear and breakdown the sounds in words. Free
Collins Big Cat: Around the World
Great interactive reading! Kids can also create their own stories. Free
Build It Up
Builds sorting skills and size differentiation (foundation to later math skills). Free for 2 gameboards. Fee for more.
Wonster Words Learning
An app that will help young students develop understanding and internalize common spelling patterns. Free
Monster Hunt
Fun memory game that reinforces the concept of “alike and different.” Free.
Habitat the Game
Your child will learn about caring for the environment by adopting a polar bear and keeping him healthy. Free.
Toonstastic
This app builds narrative skill as kids draw, animate, narrate, and record their own cartoons. Free.
Fish School
Fish School exposes your preschooler to important concepts like letters, numbers, shapes, colors, matching, and more. Free.
