Preschool Programs

ALL preschool programs will be on a 'drop-in' basis: First come, first served! Please note that dates and times are subject to change. Please confirm times by contacting the Children's Library at (780) 357-7454.

Programs are labeled either Parented (caregivers stay in the story room and participate in the program) or Unparented (caregivers are asked to leave the children in the story room and remain in the library during the program). If you have questions about these designations, please consult the Children's Department staff.

Baby Rhyme Thyme

(parented)
Attention new parents! Come to Baby Rhyme Thyme to learn engaging stories, rhymes, and games to play with your babies. The variety of pre-literary activities in this group program will stimulate your baby’s mental and social development.

DROP IN PROGRAM
Audience: Pre-walking babies and caregivers
Maximum: 15 babies
Dates: Wednesdays, January 9 to May 29
Time: 1:30 pm – 2:00 pm
Location: Linda Smith Story Room

Bison Art with Adrian Stimson

Adrian Stimson is an artist and member of the Siksika (Blackfoot) Nation whose work is currently on exhibit at the Art Gallery of Grande Prairie. Join us for a tour of his exhibit followed by an art project led by Adrian himself!

This program has been made possible by the Art Gallery of Grande Prairie. Another 75 Million - Ashes by Adrian Stimson is currently on exhibit at the Art Gallery until September 1, 2013.

REGISTRATION REQUIRED
Audience: Grade 4 to 6 students
Maximum: 30 students
Dates: Tuesday, May 28th & Wednesday, May 29th
Time: 10:30 am - 12:00 pm, 1:00 pm - 2:30 pm
Location: Rotary Community Room

Homeschooling parents may contact Jacob Fehr at 780-357-7494 or jfehr@gppl.ab.ca to book their children for one of these sessions.

Elementary Library Tours

The Children’s Library at GPPL would like to invite local elementary classes to visit the Library. We will be accepting tour bookings until June 28 in pre-determined time-slots of 10:00 am, 11:00 am, and 1:00 pm.

A tour of the Library is a great way to generate enthusiasm about reading and doing research. Tour content varies by grade, but our hope is to send students home with increased knowledge of how to use the Library and to expose them to fantastic, age-appropriate reading material.

Teachers can book a tour by calling Jacob Fehr at 780-357-7497 or sending an email to jfehr@gppl.ab.ca.

Encana presents Magician Kent Wong

Kent is a member of the prestigious Magic Castle in Hollywood and a two-time international gold medal champion. In 45 short minutes, he’ll dazzle you with his magic and leave you amazed!

DROP IN PROGRAM
Audience: Families of all ages
Maximum: 80 Patrons
Dates: Saturday, June 29
Time: 2:00 pm – 2:45 pm
Location: Rotary Community Room

Minecraft Mondays (May 27)

(unparented)
Do you have what it takes to build a monument for the ages? Show us! Participants will take turns planning and building in the Library's Minecraft world using Minecraft: Pocket Edition.

PLEASE REGISTER
Audience: 9 to 12 year olds
Maximum: 4 builders
Date: Monday, May 27
Time: 4:00 pm - 5:00 pm
Location: Linda Smith Story Room

Program is full.

Mother Goose on the Loose

(parented)
Stories, action and finger rhymes for children and their adults.

DROP IN PROGRAM
Audience: 1.5 to 3 year olds and caregivers
Maximum: 15 families
Dates: Thursdays, January 10 to May 30
Times: 10:30 am – 11:00 am
Location: Linda Smith Story Room

Musical Tots

(parented)
Stories, songs, and musical activities!

DROP IN PROGRAM
Audience: 4 month to 2 year olds and caregivers
Maximum: 15 families
Dates: Wednesdays, January 9 to May 29
Times: 10:15 am – 10:45 am
OR
11:00 am – 11:30 am
Location: Linda Smith Story Room

Night Owls

(parented)
Come in your pajamas and bring your favourite stuffed animal for a half hour of bedtime stories.

DROP IN PROGRAM
Audience: All ages
Maximum: 30 sleepyheads
Dates: Thursdays, January 10 to June 20
Time: 7:00 pm – 7:30 pm
Location: Sky Story Room

PageTurners: A Book Club for Ages 10 to 14

Join the PageTurners to talk about what you’re reading!

June’s theme: Creativity

Read any book that teaches you how to create something OR a novel about art, music, or another creative activity! Bring your book to the meeting to share it with the group.

Audience: ages 10 to 14
Date: First Sunday of every month (June 2)
Time: 3:00 pm to 4:00 pm
Location: Linda Smith Story Room

PAWS for a Story (May 26)

Corky and Cedar love stories! Children ages 5 to 8 are invited to read a story to one of these gentle Golden Retrievers. Reading to a therapy dog can enhance literacy skills and encourage a love of reading. Each child will have a 15 minute one-on-one session with Corky or Cedar and their handler, Kianna.

PLEASE REGISTER
Audience: 5 to 8 year old children
Maximum: 4 dog lovers
Date: Sunday, May 26
Time: 1:30 pm to 3:00 pm
Location: Sky Story Room

Please note that each child will have a fifteen minute reading period with Corky or Cedar, and that the time scheduled for your child may not be exactly at 1:30 pm. A staff member will contact you with the specific time in the days prior to the program.

Register online

Super Saturdays

(parented)
Drop in for repeats of Musical Tots or Mother Goose on the Loose on Saturdays! Hear stories, rhymes, and songs as a family.

DROP IN PROGRAM
Audience: 4 month to 3 year olds and caregivers
Maximum: 15 families
Dates: Saturdays, January 12 to June 22
Time: 10:30 am - 11:00 am
Location: Linda Smith Story Room

Teddy Bear Picnic

(unparented)
Bring a teddy bear that is unusual, extremely cute, teeny-tiny, or amazingly large to the Teddy Bear Picnic and enjoy stories, games, songs, and picnic treats!
PLEASE REGISTER
Audience: 3 to 5 year olds
Maximum: 20 Teddy bear owners
Date: Saturday, May 25
Time: 1:30 pm – 2:30 pm
Location: Linda Smith Story Room

Register online

Tell Me Why

(unparented)
Children will learn about the world around them by participating in games and activities and listening to stories and simple information books.

DROP IN PROGRAM
Audience: 3 to 4 year olds
Maximum: 12 Learners
Dates: Thursdays, January 10 to May 30
Time: 1:30 pm -- 2:00 pm
Location: Linda Smith Story Room

Tumbling T's

(parented)
Tumblebooks, stories, rhymes, and finger-plays for toddlers and accompanying adults.

DROP IN PROGRAM
Audience: 2 and 3 year olds and caregivers
Maximum: 15 children
Dates: Tuesdays, January 8 to May 28
Times: 10:30 am – 11:00 am
Location: Linda Smith Story Room

Wiggle Waggle Fun

(parented)
Children are encouraged to get their wiggle on with puppets, songs, musical instruments, dance, and stories.

DROP IN PROGRAM
Audience: 3 to 5 year olds
Maximum: 15 children
Dates: Mondays, January 7 to May 27
Time: 1:30 pm – 2:15 pm
Location: Linda Smith Story Room