Winter Break Fun & a New Year Ahead!
Some favorite Children's Staff reads from 2022
These are a few of our favorites from the past year. We love to hear your favorites and talk books! Check in with your Librarians for more recommendations.




 
 
Children's Librarians Review...
I Want to be a Vase
written by Julio Torres
illustrated by Julian Glander
 
From the light filled, candy colored, otherworldly pastel cover, this book is already setting us up for a lighthearted and different experience. I Want to Be a Vase is a story of a plunger that really wants to be a vase. As the plunger states their case over the angry objections of the vacuum cleaner, other objects in the house express their desire to be what their heart is telling them to be - e.g. the saucepan wants to be a trash can, and the wastebasket wants to be a pillow. It's a funny read-aloud that conveys the necessity (and promise) of being true to yourself.

Before Music: Where Instruments Come From
written by Annette Bay Pimentel
illustrated by Madison Safer
 
“Music doesn’t come out of nothing. It always starts somewhere… with something… with someone.” A storybook beginning opens this non-fiction gem. A colorful, oversize book chock full of interesting information on musical instruments from around the world and how they make sound is sure to capture the interest of anyone musically-inclined. Sections are organized by material type such as clay, wood, or found objects. Each section opens with a “before music” page that imagines the moment of musical discovery followed by the science of sound, a musical innovator, and an array of musical instruments for each instrument type. There are even some instructions on how to make a few instruments of your own! (Recommended ages 8-12)
Upcoming Events
Please note: Outdoor events occur weather permitting
Winter Break Fun @ North
 
Chess Club
Tuesdays 3:00-5:00PM
 
Lego Free Build
Wednesday, December 28th 3:00-4:00PM
 
Family Movie Matinee
Thursdays in December
3:00-4:30PM
 
Fun Friday Crafts
Fridays 4:00-5:00PM
 
 


New Year's Eve Around the World @Central
 
Saturday, December 31st
10:30-11:00AM
 
Join us for a special New Year's Eve celebration just for kids! We'll have stories, songs, a craft, and learn a little bit about New Year's Eve traditions from around the world before we countdown to New Year's Eve somewhere on the planet! 
 
Ages 3-6. Masks required. 

Save the Date!
Lunar New Year Celebration
@ Central
 
Saturday, January 21st
1:30-3:30PM
 
Berkeley Public Library
Central location, outside
 
Featuring:
Leung's White Crane Lion Dancers
+ Food, Crafts, and More!
 
More details coming soon

Fairy Tale Crafternoons
@ Claremont
 
Tuesdays
January 10th, 17th, 24th & 31st
3:00-5:00PM

Join us for a series of fairy tale themed paper crafting sessions!
Most suitable for preschool-kindergarten aged children.
 

Musical Story Time
@ Freight & Salvage

Every Thursday in January and February
10:30-11:30AM
 
Please join us at Freight & Salvage, one of Berkeley's oldest and most beloved music venues, for a special musical story time series with the Berkeley Public Library's Story Time Band.
 
These FREE events will feature live music, movement activities, and read-aloud stories for children ages 2-6. 
 

Yoga Story Time
@ Grove Street Park
 
Wednesdays, December 28th, January 11th, and January 25th
3:30-4:00PM
 
Please bring mats and/or blankets to place on the grass or pavement.
 
Located at 1730 Oregon Street
Near the picnic tables & toddler play area
Story Time
@ Grove Street Park
 
Tuesdays, 10:30-11:00AM
 
Located at 1730 Oregon Street
Near the picnic tables & toddler play area
 
 
 
In the event of rain, Grove Street Park events will be held inside Tarea Hall Pittman South (on MLK at Russell St.)

Story Time and Stay & Play
@ North
 
Wednesdays
Story Time 10:30-11:00AM
Stay & Play 11:00-11:30AM
 
Community Meeting Room
December-January
 
1170 The Alameda
Community Meeting Room
Family Story Time
@ Central
 
Saturday, December 24th 10:30-11:00AM
 
The Farmer's Market is closed, but join us for fun stories and songs inside! Babies, toddlers, preschoolers, and their families are all welcome.
 
2090 Kittredge St.
4th Floor Childrens Nonfiction Room
 
We plan to resume at the Downtown Farmer's Market January 7th

MOCHA @ the Library
 
MOCHA (the Museum of Children's Art) is offering free weekly art workshops at the Central Library and West Branch until June*!
 
Join MOCHA Teaching Artists in these workshops for children and families. Each week, the Teaching Artist will present art related to a different theme, building creative, social-emotional, and academic skills through painting, drawing, sculpting, and numerous other art forms.
 
Fridays @ Central
3:30-5:00PM
 
2090 Kittredge St.
4th Floor Children's Nonfiction Room
 
Saturdays @ West
11:00AM-12:30PM
 
1125 University Ave.
Community Room
 
*Excluding library holidays/closures
 
Stay updated on events on our website.
Check out the online calendar for a complete list of upcoming virtual and outdoor events at the Library.
 
Programming is made possible by the generous support of the Friends of the Berkeley Public Library.
 
 

All Library locations will close early, at 5:00PM, on Saturday, December 24th.
All Library locations will be closed on Monday, December 26th and Monday, January 2nd.
 
e-Collections for kids are available 24/7 at berkeleypubliclibrary.org/kids
 


Berkeley Public Library
 
2090 Kittredge St.
Berkeley, California 94704
510.981.6100
www.berkeleypubliclibrary.org/
 
The Berkeley Public Library acknowledges that we sit on the unceded, traditional lands of the Ohlone people. You can find more information about Indigenous territories of the world at https://native-land.ca.