Winter 2026
 Early Literacy Newsletter
In this Issue
Winter 2026 Early Literacy Newsletter
Library News
"Pie" Day
PEACE & MINDFULNESS
Additional Resources for Parents
Library News
LIBRARY EVENTS AT CBCPL
The following events are held in Corvallis. For information regarding events that are held at the Monroe, Philomath, and Alsea community libraries, please check out the library's events calendar. 
 
PRIDE STORYTIME WITH HAUS OF DHARMA
Saturday, 1/4, 2025   10:30-11:30 am
CORVALLIS PUBLIC LIBRARY, MAIN MEETING ROOM
Join us for an all-ages Pride storytime with performers from Haus of Dharma. 
 
R.E.A.D. DOGS
Tuesdays, 1/7, 2/4, 3/4, 2025   3:30-4:40 pm
CORVALLIS PUBLIC LIBRARY, MAIN MEETING ROOM
Kids can practice reading in any language to a trained therapy Reading Education Assistance Dog (READ). Sign-ups are on-site and open at the time of the event on a first-come, first-serve basis. Permission form is required and filled out on-site. Limited spots available. 
 
LEGO AT THE LIBRARY
Wednesdays, 1/8, 2/5, 3/5, 2025    4:00-5:00 pm

CORVALLIS PUBLIC LIBRARY, MAIN MEETING ROOM
Come build with fellow Lego fans. Lego bricks provided. Just drop-in!  
 
FAMILY MUSIC FUN
Saturdays, 1/11, 2/8, 2025    10:30-11:15 am
CORVALLIS PUBLIC LIBRARY, MAIN MEETING ROOM
Come sing, clap, move your body to music with Marisa in this interactive music program designed for families with children between the ages of 2 and 10.
 
PUZZLE SWAP
Saturday, 1/11, 2025   12:00-1:30pm
CORVALLIS PUBLIC LIBRARY, MAIN MEETING ROOM
Bring your puzzles to swap! All ages and levels welcome.
 
SCIENCE SATURDAY
Saturday, 1/25, 2025     10:30-11:30 am
CORVALLIS PUBLIC LIBRARY MAIN MEETING ROOM
A science-themed storytime will be followed by hands-on activities to encourage the exploration of science, math and literacy. Activities are designed for preschool-age kids. 
 
PEGASUS PUPPETS PRESENTS: SNOW SOUP
Thursday, 1/30, 2025   1:00-1:45pm   
CORVALLIS PUBLIC LIBRARY MAIN MEETING ROOM
A musical rendition set in the snowy arctic, based on the folktale of "Stone Soup". Geared for kids in grades K-3, but all ages are welcome.
 
LIBRARY AT C3'S FAMILY FUN NIGHT
Friday, 2/7, 2025   5:00-7:00 pm
CORVALLIS COMMUNITY CENTER
Join us at the Corvallis Community Center located at 2601 NW Tyler Avenue for S.T.E.A.M. activities and crafts, along with music, games and more. 
 
FAMILY CRAFT NIGHT
Tuesday, 2/25, 2025   5:30-7:00 pm
CORVALLIS PUBLIC LIBRARY, MAIN MEETING ROOM

Come make crafts with the Library and The Arts Center. All supplies will be provided. All ages are welcome.
 
STORYTIMES AT CBCPL

WEEKLY STORYTIMES
INFANT STORYTIME (birth-1 year) Tuesdays, 10:30 am
TODDLER STORYTIME (1-3 years) Wednesdays, 10:30 am
PRESCHOOL STORYTIME (3-5 years) Thursdays, 10:30 am
FAMILY STORYTIME (all ages) Fridays, 10:30 am 
CORVALLIS PUBLIC LIBRARY, MAIN MEETING ROOM
** NO storytime on 1/1, 2025, Library closed.
Storytime is offered weekly as a drop-in program: first come, first served at the Corvallis Public Library's Main Meeting Room. Children must be accompanied by a grown-up. Drop-in.
 
SATURDAY STORIES
Saturdays, 1/18, 3/1, 2025   10:30 am
CORVALLIS PUBLIC LIBRARY, MAIN MEETING ROOM  
All ages welcome. Short stories, songs, and rhymes will be shared. Children must be accompanied by a grown-up. Drop-in.
 
LOS CUENTOS
Saturdays, 2/15, 3/15, 2025   10:30 am
CORVALLIS PUBLIC LIBRARY, MAIN MEETING ROOM
A bilingual storytime in English and Spanish for children of all ages. Children must be accompanied by a grown-up. Drop-in.  
 
First Readers Book Club
The First Readers Book Club is for kids who are reading early reader books and features a book club kit every other month. Each kit includes a paperback copy of an early reader book, discussion questions, and a craft. Available while supplies last. Books and supplies are provided by the Friends of the Library. 
The First Readers Book Club kits will be offered on the following date:
  • Saturday, January 4th, 2025
A limited number of kits will be available for pick up beginning on 1/4/25 on a first come first served basis at each library branch.  A small number of kits will also be available for delivery. Please contact Youth Services at 541-766-6794 for more information.
 
January 2025 First Readers Book Club Title: 
Flubby Does Not Like Snow  by J.E. Morris
It's snowing, and Kami wants to take Flubby outside to play. But Flubby doesn't like the snow-it's too cold! Can Kami find a way to convince the cat to enjoy the winter wonderland?
 
 
"Pie" Day 
Skiing, sledding, snowboarding, having a snowball fight! What kinds of adventures can you have in the snow? Find more titles here to read all about it.
 
Sally's Snow Adventure 
by Stephen Huneck

Peep and Ducky: It's Snowing!
by David Martin
 
Teach Your Giraffe to Ski
by Viviane Elbee
 
 
PEACE & MINDFULNESS
What is the weather today? The answer often determines what we wear and how we plan for the day. Weather is a fun topic with which to have a conversation with kids. It provides a great opportunity to talk, sing, read, write and play, the five early literacy practices that lay the foundation for children to learn to read!
 
Talk:
  • Ask your child what they think the weather is going to be today. What makes them think that way?
  • Listen to or watch the weather forecast. You may hear words like thunder storm, hail, jet stream, air pressure, El Nino, etc. Look up the terms and find out what they mean.
  • How does the weather affect our daily lives? How does it help us prepare?
 
Sing:
Sing the weather song to the tune of "Oh My Darling", then introduce other weather words such as foggy, drizzly, stormy. You can talk about feeling words like frigid, damp, clammy, comfortable, and cozy, to name a few.
 
Weather Song
What’s the weather, What’s the weather.
What’s the weather, everyone?
Is it windy, is it cloudy,
Is there rain or is there sun?
 
Read:
  • Read picture books about the weather. Find out more about weather in non-fiction books to help increase vocabulary, world knowledge and comprehension.  Try some of these book suggestions.
Peace by Baptiste Paul
Peace
by Baptiste Paul

"From saying hello and pronouncing your friend's name correctly to giving more than you take and saying I'm sorry, this simple concept book explores definitions of peace and actions small and big that foster it"
The peace book by Todd Parr
The peace book
by Todd Parr

The author of It's Okay to be Different, provides an introduction to the meaning of peace and the importance of living in harmony with people of all different cultures and backgrounds from all around the world through bright and colorful illustrations and simple text. Reprint.
I am peace : a book of mindfulness by Susan Verde
I am peace : a book of mindfulness
by Susan Verde

A child starts to get carried away with worry and rushing thoughts before taking a breath, steadying, observing thoughts, feeling kindness, feeling thankful, and experiencing the world
Enemy pie by Derek Munson
Enemy pie
by Derek Munson

Hoping that the enemy pie which his father makes will help him get rid of his enemy Jeremy Ross, a little boy finds that instead it helps make a new friend. By the illustrator of Odd Velvet. Jr Lib Guild.
Can you say peace? by Karen Katz
Can you say peace?
by Karen Katz

Every September 21 on the International Day of Peace, children around the world wish in many different languages for peace
Five minutes' peace by Jill Murphy
Five minutes' peace
by Jill Murphy

Seeking five minutes of peace away from her noisy children, Mrs. Large sneaks off to take a hot bath, only to be joined by Lester and his flute, Laura and her book, and the baby with all his toys. Reprint.
ABCs for a peaceful me : a mindfulness seek-and-find book by Shelly Becker
ABCs for a peaceful me : a mindfulness seek-and-find book
by Shelly Becker

This insightful and inspiring ABC picture book about mindfulness features bold, colorful art on each spread that focuses on a unique word promoting a healthy body-mind connection as well as new ways to self-soothe and help little readers express themselves
The blue hour by Isabelle Simler
The blue hour
by Isabelle Simler

Animals, birds, and even flowers of blue hues color their landscapes, from the Arctic to the jungle, as they enjoy a moment of peace in the hour between day and night
Snow globe wishes by Erin Dealey
Snow globe wishes
by Erin Dealey

After the worst snowstorm of the year, a young girl wishes on a snow globe that everyone will come out to play and share a dream of peace
Mindful Mr. Sloth by Katy Hudson
Mindful Mr. Sloth
by Katy Hudson

Sasha has one speed--fast. She loves to do lots of things, all at once, as fast as possible. Mr. Sloth has one speed--slow. He loves to do things one at a time, at a nice, easy pace. Can Mr. Sloth's mindful ways teach Sasha to slow down and enjoy life? Best-selling author Katy Hudson gently weaves a mindfulness theme into this unlikely friendship tale between an energetic girl and a sloth, encouraging children to stop, breathe, and be present in every moment
Puppy in my head : a book about mindfulness by Elise Gravel
Puppy in my head : a book about mindfulness
by Elise Gravel

Presents a step-by-step guide to help calm kids down in plain language and with a rare sense of understanding and compassion, Elise Gravel tackles anxiety in children head-on with bold colors and whimsical illustrations
Can you hug a forest? by Frances Gilbert
Can you hug a forest?
by Frances Gilbert

Featuring illustrations painted on actual wood, this meditative picture book celebrates the beauty of the natural world and encourages mindfulness, gratitude and love for the environment. Simultaneous eBook. Illustrations.
Leo the lazy lizard by Ed Shankman
Leo the lazy lizard
by Ed Shankman

"Leo the lizard spends his days relaxing in the desert sand, gazing at the sky, and basking in the sun. The other desert animals think Leo is lazy, but the roadrunner isn't so sure . . . could it be that Leo has learned something the others have not? Perhaps there is more to this lazy-looking lizard than truly meets the eye? With its playfully melodic rhymes and stunning desert illustrations, Leo the Lazy Lizard invites readers of all ages to discover the beauty of quiet moments-to smell every scent, feel every breeze, and love how they feel 'cause they feel so at ease! A true celebration of mindfulness, connection, and learning to appreciate the things that make us all so wonderfully unique, Leo the Lazy Lizard will delight families for generations to come!"
Wangari's trees of peace : a true story from Africa by Jeanette Winter
Wangari's trees of peace : a true story from Africa
by Jeanette Winter

When she returns to her childhood home in Kenya and sees that the whole forest around her village is being cut down, courageous and determined Wangari starts planting trees in her own backyard and ends up in the midst of a movement that is respected around the world
The story of Ferdinand by Munro Leaf
The story of Ferdinand
by Munro Leaf

Ferdinand likes to sit quietly and smell the flowers, but one day he gets stung by a bee and his snorting and stomping convince everyone that he is the fiercest of bulls
A handful of quiet : happiness in four pebbles by Nhãat Hanh
A handful of quiet : happiness in four pebbles
by Nhãat Hanh

Book Annotation
Words to love by for little ones by Rick Warren
Words to love by for little ones
by Rick Warren

A board book adaptation of the popular picture book explores Christian themes of wisdom and kindness to encourage children to use their words to express gratitude, healing, forgiveness and love. Illustrations.
My mindful walk with Grandma by Sheri Mabry
My mindful walk with Grandma
by Sheri Mabry

When a girl walks through the woods with her Grandma, she is so excited about their destination that she misses out on what is around her, but with Grandma's help, she learns how to breathe, be peaceful, and find herself in nature
"Slowly, slowly, slowly," said the sloth
by Eric Carle

Challenged by the other jungle animals for its seemingly lazy ways, a sloth living in a tree explains the many advantages of his slow and peaceful existence
Slowly Slowly by Toni Yuly
Slowly Slowly
by Toni Yuly

This charmingly illustrated picture book follows a boy and his puppy as they revel in the world around them while in the background, a persimmon tree slowly grows, blooms and creates fruit to be enjoyed by the community. Simultaneous eBook. Illustrations.
Write:
  • Make a weather book. Help your child write weather words on paper - sunny, rainy, cloudy, windy, stormy are some examples. Ask your child to draw what they think that weather may look like, or your child can describe to you what they would like to do on a particular kind of weather day. For example, go to the park on a sunny day. 
  • Art activities can be a good outlet for big feelings, as well as ways to strengthen the hand muscles that are required to hold a pencil to write. Try painting, playing with gooey, squishy materials, cutting, gluing, picking up things with a tong or clothespin.
 
Play:
  • Try an experiment to undestand how rain is formed from clouds - "Rain in a Jar".
  • Create a weather wheel. 
  • Provide clothing for different weather conditions for pretend play.
  • Forecast the weather for the week and see how many times you get it right. Create a chart to record your predictions and the outcomes for a week.
 
Additional Resources for Parents
Want to learn more about weather with your kids? Check out these resources:
  • PBS Kids for Parents - Observing weather
  • PBS for Teachers - What is Weather?
  • SciShow Kids weather channel on Youtube
  • Weather Science Activities for Preschoolers from PreK Printable Fun
  • Weather Science for Preschool to Elementary from Little Bins for Little Hands
Scholastic BookFlix

Video storybooks that are paired with nonfiction ebooks designed for preschool through 3rd grade. Collection includes books in English and Spanish. Free for CBCPL patrons!
 
Access BookFlix today! 
 
Looking for more to do? See all programs on our online calendar.