The 2011 Week of the Young Child will be held April 10-16 and the theme for 2011 is Early Years Are Learning Years. The Children's Services Department will conduct a "Make Your Own Book" craft program on April 14 at 11:00a.m. after the preschool storytime. The program is open to preschoolers and parents are invited to create a book with their children. The Week of the Young Child is an annual celebration sponsored by the National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC), the world's largest early childhood education association, with nearly 90,000 members and a network of over 300 local, state, and regional Affiliates.

The purpose of the Week of the Young Child is to focus public attention on the needs of young children and their families and to recognize the early childhood programs and services that meet those needs. For further information about this free program, please call the Children's Desk at (626) 307-1358.

To celebrate Cinco de Mayo, on May 5 at 10:30a.m., the Children's Department will hold a Mexican-themed storytime and a preschool "Mexican tissue paper flower" craft program in the Storytime Room and the Arts and Crafts Room. For more information, please call the Children's Desk at (626)307-1358.

To celebrate the birthday of beloved children's author Theodore Geisel - also known as Dr. Seuss -- the Children's Services Department will host a special Dr. Seuss film showing program in the Friends Room at 3:00p.m. on Wednesday, March 2.

Theodore Seuss Geisel was born on March 2, 1904, in Springfield Massachusetts. During his long career, Geisel wrote and illustrated 44 children's books, including the classic children's books The Cat in the Hat and Green Eggs and Ham which have sold more than 200 million copies worldwide. Although he was told by a high-school art teacher that he would never be an artist, Seuss illustrated many of his books. Seuss died in September 1991 at the age of 87. Join us in celebrating the birthday of this special man who has made so many children smile.

The library event is part of the National Education Association's "Read Across America" celebration, which is held annually on Dr. Seuss' birthday to motivate children to read and to stress the difference a caring adult can make by reading with a child.

After the film showing, all the attendees can stay for a piece of birthday cake and raffle drawings. For more details and to register, please call the Children's Desk at (626)307-1358.

To observe Mother's Day, the Children's Services Department will have a special Family Faces Art Exhibition program. Children from preschool through sixth grade are invited to participate. Starting April 17, children can pick up an entry form at the Children's Desk and draw a picture of their mother, grandmother, aunt or someone they love. Children's staff will display the artworks on the Children's bulletin board.

On May 1 at 2:00pm, all the participants with their loved ones will gather in the Friends Room for a special tea time and talk about their drawings. For more information about this program, please call the Children's Desk at (626)307-1358.

The library now offers opportunities for young children to play while building skills for learning and literacy in all stages of life with a Play and Learn Island on loan from the Rancho Cucamonga Library.

The Play and Learn (PAL) Island provides a new and unique way to bring play and learning to the youngest members of our community. PAL is a federal grant funded project designed to incorporate play into the library. PALs have interactive toys and books to support the particular theme of each PAL. The themes of the four PAL Islands are "Discovery Dig", "Big Build", "Illuminart", and "Make it Move". They incorporate problem solving, sorting, sharing, early literacy skills, design and testing, and collaboration. Their colorful design, scale, and varied activities appeal to a range of ages and encourage families to play and explore together.

The "Big Build" PAL Island is now stationed in the children’s family place area. This island allows a child to collect, sort, catalog, design, and test. It will travel to other library and community events. Visit the library to build, create, play and learn!

In celebration of Chinese New Year - Year of the Rabbit (year 4709), the Children's Services Department will conduct a "Rabbit Mask" preschool craft program on the Chinese New Year Day, Thursday, February 3 at 11:00am in the Arts and Crafts Room after its 10:30am preschool storytime. All preschoolers and their accompanying adults/caregivers are welcome. For more information about this free program, call the Children's Desk at (626) 307-1358.