Happy (almost) New Year! We have many exciting events coming up this January, so read on for more info about those, as well as some book recommendations and articles to check out.

If you're curious (like we were) about what books at Ashland were the MOST popular in 2022, we compiled a list for you to check out. That list can be found here!

Starting in the new year, the Friends of the Library will be hosting their Mini Book Sales on the first Saturday of the month, instead of the third. This means the January book sale is coming up on Saturday, January 7, from 10:00-1:00. Why not stop by and pick up some great books?

The library will be closed on Monday, January 2 for New Year's, and Monday, January 16 for Martin Luther King Jr. Day.

Thanks for stopping in!

Ryan
Children's Library Assistant

January Events!

One Time Programs

Baby Signs

Saturday, January 7 from
10:30 a.m. to 12:00 p.m.
For families

Learn how to reduce frustration and give your baby the ability to communicate before he or she can speak using baby signs.  Learn and practice several signs. You will learn everything that you need to know to get started signing right away.

Interactive Story Time and Speech Screening

Saturday, January 14 from
10:30 a.m. to 11:00 a.m.
For Toddlers/Preschoolers (and a parent/caregiver)

Come be part of the story with Ellen Gellineau, an Ashland based speech-language therapist who uses children’s books and literature to help develop their pretend play and communication skills. This story time will celebrate winter and have kids enjoying a snow day even if there’s no snow!

*Special* PJ Storytime: Stuffed Animal Sleepover
Tuesday, January 17 from
5:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m.
For ages 3 and up 

Come to PJ Story Time for a special event! Bring your stuffed animals with you and they will have a sleepover at the library. Who knows what crazy things they'll get up to? 

Come by on Friday or Saturday to pick up your stuffie, along with a photo of their crazy antics. 

*Please be sure your child will be okay without their stuffed animal for a few days, and bring their second or third favorite if necessary!

Daet: Book Discussion For Parents & Children With Author Rachel Brian

Wednesday, January 18 from
5:30 p.m. to 6:15 p.m.
For ages 6-12

Read: The Worry (Less) Book: Feel Strong, Find Calm and Tame your Anxiety

After the book read, the kids will make sensory calming playdough out of cornstarch and hair conditioner to take home in another room, while the parents continue discussing the material.

Engineering Exploration

Saturday, January 21 from
2:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m.
For ages 5-9

Listen to The Journey of Oliver K. Woodman, by Darcy Pattison, then use tools to make your own wooden man to take home.
Space is limited.

Recurring Programs

New Program
Monday or Friday Afternoon Story and Craft
Mondays at 4:30 p.m.
Fridays at 4:00 p.m.
For ages 4-7

Stop into the children's room for a program that is geared toward pre-school and young elementary aged children and their caregivers. We will read a story and do a related craft project.

Ashland Moms -- Little Crafters
Monday, January 23 at
10:15 a.m.
For ages 0-5

The Mom's Club of Ashland is offering a story & craft program for infants through children age 5. Caregivers are asked to please participate with their children.

Project ABC Play Group
Tuesdays at 11:00 a.m.
For ages 0-5

A parent and child group offered by the Metrowest YMCA and the Early Childhood Alliance of Ashland & Framingham. A structured program to help prepare children for socialization and a school experience. Check out their website for more!

PJ Storytime
Tuesdays at 5:30 p.m.
For ages 3 and up

Come in your pajamas, and bring your favorite stuffed animals! We will read stories about a different one of Ryan's stuffed animals every week.

Lapsit
Wednesdays at 10:30 a.m.
For ages 0-4
Join us for songs, fingerplays & stories. Check out the songs performed by Miss Lois here!

Read to a Dog

Thursday, January 5 and
Thursday, January 19 at 6:00 p.m.

For kids who are reading

Children will have the chance to read to one of our corgi friends Knives or Machete!

Lego Club

Thursday, January 12 and Thursday, January 26 at 4:00 p.m.

For ages 5 and up

Each child will be given a box filled with an assortment of Lego blocks to build a creation using only what's inside the box! Creations will be displayed!

Crafty Saturday
Saturdays all day
For ages 4 and up

Join us for a different drop in craft project every week!

New Books!

Once Upon An Eid:
Stories of Hope and Joy by 15 Muslim Voices

Edited by S.K. Ali and Aisha Saeed

Once Upon an Eid is a collection of short stories that showcases the most brilliant Muslim voices writing today, all about the most joyful holiday of the year: Eid! 

Sparrows in the Wind
by Gail Carson Levine

Cassandra, a princess of Troy and follower of Apollo, is delighted when the god himself appears to her. Apollo asks to love her in exchange for giving her future sight, and she agrees—but recoils when he kisses her. Enraged, the god transforms his gift into a curse: Cassandra’s visions will never be believed.

Count Me In
by Varsha Bajaj

Karina Chopra would have never imagined becoming friends with the boy next door. Then Karina’s grandfather starts tutoring Chris, and she discovers he’s actually a nice, funny kid. But one afternoon something unimaginable happens–the three of them are assaulted by a stranger who targets Indian-American Karina and her grandfather because of how they look. Her grandfather is gravely injured and Karina and Chris vow not to let hate win.

Your Very Own Robot
by R. A. Montgomery

Choose your own adventure! Using your scientist parents’ robot junk, you build your own robot. Gus, your quirky robot, steams when he should sing, shoots up into space without warning, and lands himself in a tank of strawberry ice cream!

Across the Bay

by Carlos Aponte

Carlitos lives in a happy home with his mother, his abuela, and Coco the cat. Life in his hometown is cozy as can be, but the call of the capital city pulls Carlitos across the bay in search of his father. Jolly piragüeros, mischievous cats, and costumed musicians color this tale of love, family, and the true meaning of home.

Ocean's World
by Carlos & Alexa Penavega

Ocean and his little brother, Kingston, explore the beautiful island of Maui in search of a sunrise shell for their mom’s birthday gift. But with a rumbling volcano and so much to unearth, will the boys ever find the special shell?

Mammoth Math
by David Macaulay

Math is all around you…if you look closely enough! From computer games to bridges, shopping malls to game shows, mathematics truly is everywhere. David Macauley’s terrific troupe of curious mammoths will lead you through the basics of math, including numbers, calculation, geometry, measurement and so much more!

Great Articles to Read!

The Return of Pajama Night!

Beloved kid's author Kate DiCamillo on getting 473 rejection letters