It's been a busy week sorting through so many events! And there's a slight tweak to the awards announcement, but I'll get to that in a moment. For now, let's see the winners of The Orange Cat Picks of the Litter Award 2023:

Most Creative Storytime: It takes more than just reading in a circle to win. This award is for the story time that adds something more like a theme or creative location to make the experience extra special for everyone involved. 

Winner: Monrovia Public Library's Storytimes in the Park - Part of the library's 2022 summer programming provided two days and times (including a Saturday slot) that offered stories, music, dance, and crafts.

Best Teen Programming: Teens can be fickle, and their attention is fleeting. And, frankly, it takes more work to put together events for them. This award is for programming that leans into the challenge to create something unique and fun.

Winner: Altadena Library - In 2022, the library offered a range of teen programming, making the choice of just one rather tricky. Some of the programs were one-time events, and others were standing offerings. However, they all showed a commitment to understanding and supporting the teen perspective.

Most Diverse Programming: It's a big, multi-faceted world we live in, and this award is for programming that reflects that fact to our kids to help them grow into well-rounded, empathetic people.

Winner: Pasadena Public Library - Hands down, PPL provided a range of programming throughout the year that showcased a spectrum of lived experiences. 

Best Summer Activities: Summertime fun time is much more enjoyable with activities that take advantage of all our community offers during those long, hot summer days. This award is for the venue that puts together programming that reflects the spirit of summer creativity and play.

Winner: Altadena Public Library - The 2022 summer programming package covered all the bases. With reading challenges, music programs, teen-specific events, and a city-wide scavenger hunt, there was something for everyone.

Editor's Choice Award: Often, a handful of events catch our eye for their creativity, engagement, or long-time value to the community. This award is for those exceptional events.

Winner: Altadena Library's Stuffed Animal Sleepover - This is one of those events that, from an adult's perspective, can't help but deliver wonder and awe for our little ones. Can you imagine getting pictures of your stuffed animals playing in the library while you were at home? While Altadena isn't the first library to do this and not the only one in our service area, the addition of breakfast was a nice touch.

While reviewing the options for the awards, it dawned on me that something was missing. Of course, many venues, libraries, and paid alike provide more than just summer programming, but that's the only one we highlighted. So, we've added the following:

Best Seasonal Activities: Every season provides opportunities for fun and engagement. And unlike summer, they do so with the constraints of school and work. This award is for the venue that puts together the best programming for all seasons.

Winner: Kidspace Children's Museum - In 2022, Kidspace certainly leaned into its mission and put together a rotating set of programs and activities that were seasonally themed. And, well, we just couldn't choose between one of their program packages. The facility is a real gift to the Los Angeles area, and we're incredibly fortunate to have it in our backyard.

Reader's Choice Award: We're nothing without you, and all the events we list are for you and your families. This award is for your favorite event or venue. 

This is where we're adding a tweak. There were several choices for this award and no clear winner. So, we're asking you to choose from one of the following, and we'll award the winner in the next issue. Here are your choices:

• Kidspace Children's Museum (as a venue)
• Boo at the LA Zoo (as an event)
• Pasadena Public Library (as a venue)
• Monrovia Street Fair (as an event)

You can vote by replying to this email newsletter or on our Facebook page. In addition, we're giving away a second gift certificate to A Kids Co to another lucky voter.

Donna J won the first one (congratulations!). 

Happy voting!
Rob
 

Tween Drawing Workshop

Your tween (ages 9-12) can join the Altadena librarians for a three-part drawing workshop. No artistic or drawing experience is needed, and supplies will be provided. Attend one or all of the workshops. No reservation is required. See the event listing for more details. Workshops are held from 4:00 PM to 5:00 PM on:

February 8 - landscapes

February 15 - portraits

February 22 - abstractions

'Dena Dishes

Your teen (grades 8-12) can join the Altadena librarians on Instagram every other Friday for reviews of the coolest, tastiest, and best value spots for teens in Altadena. The next drop is February 10 at 5:00 PM.

Innovation Lab On The Go!

Your kids (ages 6-11) can join the Monrovia librarians for a special innovation lab at Station Square Park, where they can make LED Valentine cards on February 4 from 10:00 AM to 11:00 AM. See the event listing for details.
 

Walk for the Wild

On February 25, the LA Zoo will host its first-ever in-person fundraising walk. Your family can join as individuals or a team (with other families or coworkers) to raise funds to support the LA Zoo's mission to save endangered species. You'll take an early morning trek through the zoo while helping many of the animals you'll see along the way. See the site for more details.

Take & Make: "I Have A Dream" Cloud Mobile

Your family (ages 3+) can join the Hastings Branch librarians in celebrating the importance of dreams in making a better world. They'll take inspiration from Martin Luther King Jr.'s famous speech and add their dreams to a cloud mobile. Reservations for craft kits are open from February 1 through 12 or while supplies last. 

Take & Make: Inspired by Artist Pearl Fryar

Your family (ages 5+) can join the Hill Avenue Branch librarians in making a topiary inspired by the work of artist Pearl Fryar. Reservations for craft kits are open from February 1 through 28 or while supplies last. 

Take & Make: The Quilt Art of Bisa Butler

Your family (ages 9+) can join the Hill Avenue Branch librarians in making quilt art inspired by Bisa Butler. Reservations for craft kits are open from February 1 through 28 or while supplies last.

Author Talk: Partners to History

The teens and adults in your family (ages 13+) can join the Lamanda Park Branch librarians for a presentation by author Donzaleigh Abernathy on her book Partners to History: Martin Luther King Jr., Ralph David Abernathy, and the Civil Rights Movement on February 4 from 2:00 PM to 3:30 PM. Reservations are not required. See the event listing for more details.

Saving the Day

Your kids (ages 3-12) can join the San Rafael Branch librarians to read Saving the Day Garrett Morgan's Life-Changing Invention of the Traffic Signal, followed by a game of Red Light Green Light and a traffic signal craft on February 9 from 2:30 PM to 3:30 PM. See the event listing for details.

Elephant and Piggie Popsicle Puppets

Your kids (ages 3-12) can join the Jefferson Branch librarians for a special Elephant and Piggy storytime followed by popsicle puppet crafts on January 28 from 3:00 PM to 4:00 PM. Registration is required, and spots are limited.

Melty Bead Extravaganza!

Your kids (ages 5-18) can join the Santa Catalina Branch librarians for some bead-melting fun with Dr. Mr. Scienceman on January 28 from 3:00 PM to 4:00 PM. See the event listing for details.

Writing Parties for Kids Age 5-8

Your kids can join the Hastings Branch librarians for this creative writing program, where they'll learn how to make up their own stories and create a picture book. The literary fun happens on January 28 from 4:30 PM to 5:30 PM. Registration is required, and spots are limited.

Take & Make: Pom Pom Rabbit

Your family (ages 9+) can join the Santa Catalina Branch librarians in celebrating the Year of the Rabbit by making a lucky pom pom rabbit. Craft kit registration is open from January 23 through February 13 or while supplies last. 

Take & Make: Paper Lantern

Your family (ages 9+) can join the Santa Catalina Branch librarians in adding some winter cheer to your desk with a paper lantern. Sign-ups for craft kits are open till January 31 or while supplies last. 

Take & Make: DIY Recycled Bird Feeder

Your family can join the Hastings Branch librarians in making a recycled bird feeder to help winter birds and nurture our local wildlife. Craft kit reservations are open from January 16 - 29 or while supplies last. 

Take & Make: Make Your Own Puzzle

Your kids (ages 3-5) can join the Santa Catalina Branch librarians in celebrating National Puzzle Day by making a popsicle stick puzzle. Craft kit reservations are open from January 17 - 31 or while supplies last.

Take & Make: Floating Heart Sensory Jars

Your family (ages 5+) can join the Jefferson Branch librarians in making a calming, floating sensory jar with heart confetti. Reservations for craft kits are open from February 6 to 27 or while supplies last. 

President Face Mask

Your tween (ages 9-12) can join the Villa Parke Community Center Branch librarians in making a face mask of their favorite president on February 6 from 4:00 PM to 5:00 PM. See the event listing for details.

Valentine Card Workshop

Your kids (ages 3-12) can join the Hastings Branch librarians in making a custom Valentine for a friend or loved one on February 6 from 4:00 PM to 6:00 PM. Crafting supplies will be provided. See the event listing for more details.

Pop-Up Valentine Card

Your kids (ages 5-12) can join the Villa Parke Community Center Branch librarians in making a pop-up Valentine card on February 9 from 4:00 PM to 5:00 PM. See the event listing for more details.

Around the World Crafts - Australia

Your kids (Infants - 5th Grade) can join the Bob Lucas Branch librarians for a trip to Australia by making an aboriginal dot painting craft on February 1 from 4:00 PM to 5:00 PM. See the event listing for details.

Stitch & Sew! Weaving

Your tweens (ages 9-12) can join the Altadena librarians in learning about weaving on February 4 from 2:00 PM to 3:30 PM. See the event listing for details.

Movie: The Hate U Give

Your teens (grades 8-12) can join the Altadena librarians for a screening of The Hate U Give on February 7 from 5:30 PM to 8:00 PM. See the event listing for details.

These events are regularly scheduled, and many do not require registrations. That said, please check with the event host in case of holidays, weather, COVID, or other reasons to cancel or reschedule.
 

Board Game Night

Your family can join others and the Altadena librarians in an evening of board game fun on Mondays through December 19, from 5:30 PM to 7:30 PM. No registration is required.

Chess Night

Your family can join other chess lovers and the Altadena librarians in an evening of chess-inspired fun on Tuesdays through November 22, from 5:30 PM to 7:30 PM. No registration is required.
 

Afternoon Games

The whole family is invited to the Villa Parke Community Center Branch Library to play games, from board games to giant dominos. The fun happens on Tuesdays, from 2:00 PM till 4:00 PM.

Infant & Toddler Storytimes

Your little ones (ages 0-2) and their caregiver can join the Pasadena librarians weekly at 10:30 AM for 20 minutes of reading, rhyming, and singing fun! 

Lamanda Park Branch - Tuesdays

Allendale Branch - Wednesdays

Preschool Storytime - Pasadena Public Libraries

Your kids (ages 3-5) can join the Pasadena librarians weekly for a selection of stories, songs, crafts, or a short movie. Activities vary by branch.

Villa Parke Community Center Branch - Tuesdays, 10:30 AM till 11:30 AM

Santa Catalina Branch - Wednesday, 10:30 AM till 11:00 AM

San Rafael Branch - Wednesdays, 11:00 AM till 11:30 AM

Lamanda Park Branch - Thursdays, 10:30 AM till 11:00 AM

Linda Vista Branch - Thursday, 10:30 AM till 11:00 AM

Hill Avenue Branch - Saturdays, 10:30 AM till 11:00 AM

Family Films

Villa Parke Community Center Branch hosts a family movie for you on Thursdays, from 3:30 PM till 5:30 PM. Please contact the branch at 626-744-6510 for the movie title. And this is a BYOS (bring your own snacks) event.

Video Game Club

Your Teen (age 14-19) can stop into the Hastings Branch Library Meeting Room on Thursdays, from 4:00 PM till 6:00 PM, for some gaming fun on the Nintendo Switch. They can make new friends and learn fair play every week. No registration is required. Must play well with others.

Crafting with Tish & Tosh

Join the Pasadena Library online for some all-ages crafting fun. You'll learn new crafts all year round. The crafting fun happens on every-other Monday on Instagram Live from 3:00 PM till 3:30 PM.

 

Teen Switch Hour

Your Tweens (ages 8-12) can join the Altadena librarians for some Nintendo Switch fun playing Mario Kart, Mario Party, and Smash Brothers every Thursday from 4:00 PM till 5:00 PM in the Main Library's Community Room. The library has a limited number of systems available. You are welcome to bring your own Switch. .

 

STEAM Team

Your Tweens (ages 9-12) can join the Hastings Branch librarians on the third Tuesday of most months (Thanksgiving week being a usual exception) from 5:30 PM to 6:30 PM to learn about science, technology, engineering, art, and mathematics. Registration is required, and spots are limited. 

Innovation Lab

Your kid (ages 6-11) can join the Monrovia librarians for a variety of STEM-related activities. No registration is required. Supplies are limited and available on a first-come, first-serve basis. See the event listing for more details. All lab sessions are from 3:00 PM to 4:30 PM. Lab dates are:

January 11

January 25

February 8

February 22
 

Crafternoons for Kids!

Your kids (grades K-5) can join the Altadena librarians on the third Tuesday of the month for their arts and crafts program. There's a different craft every month, and parents are encouraged to participate. See the library calendar for details.

Imagination Station

Your kids (ages 4-8) can join the Monrovia librarians for a trip to another world through imaginative play using toys, props, and various sensory items. No reservation is required. See the event listing for more details.

January 12

January 26

February 9

February 23