Read, Play, Write, and Create at Madison Public Library this Winter Break with WE READ

MADISON, WI – Beginning Monday, December 16, kids and families can visit any Madison Public Library location and find new play materials, reading buddies, scavenger hunts, and more thanks to the Winter WE READ campaign designed to keep kids reading, playing, writing and creating all winter long. 

"During the winter, we know many families are looking for warm indoor environments where learning, growth, and engagement continue to happen," said Madison Public Library Youth Services Manager Tammy Ocampo. "Our libraries are that space within the community where kids and families can come together to enjoy books and reading, art and making, play and exploration, and so much more! The winter WE READ program is built to help each family find something that works for where they're at right now."

The WE READ program involves many different elements for all ages, and encourages families and kids to explore the joy of reading and build their literacy skills. 

Read

Built off the practices of the Public Library Association's Every Child Ready to Read program, Madison Public Library’s early literacy philosophy incorporates five key elements: reading, talking, playing, singing, and writing. This winter’s WE READ program has lots of opportunities for babies, toddlers, and older kids to build their literacy skills at the library through:

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  Reading Out Loud to a Reading Buddy: Reading out loud helps kids learn literacy and fluency, but kids can feel pressure when reading in a class environment or reading to adults. Reading Buddies allow kids to practice reading in a low-stress way and encourage play. Now available at all locations (except Alicia Ashman Library) this winter break and beyond.

• Literacy Tips for Babies & Toddlers: Look to the digital screens when you visit a Madison Public Library! In addition to upcoming program information, they’ll also have advice on how to engage little ones in pre-reading activities to help build skills and excitement about reading - whether in the library or at home.
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  Finding Feelings Scavenger Hunt + Book Lists: Small children are still trying to figure out how to express themselves. Find books for babies and toddlers focused on big feelings, as well as a specially curated book list with titles to help kids and families recognize and work through emotions. Children visiting the library can search for the different emotions/faces around the Children’s Area at each location in a Finding Feelings Scavenger Hunt.

• Books By the Bag: Bring in your WE READ tote bag and fill it up with your favorite library books! Not sure what to read? Ask a librarian for help finding read-alikes or go online to find book lists for every age, interest, genre, and reading level. 
• Early Literacy Calendar: For babies and pre-readers, we have an Early Literacy Calendar created by the Public Library Association. Calendars (available in both English and Spanish) include learning activities, curated book lists, nursery rhymes, song lyrics, and more! Stop into any of our library locations to pick up pages of the 2025 calendar.

A number of storytimes will also be happening in libraries throughout winter break. Visit madpl.org/weread to see a full list of programs.

Play

This winter, we invite you to play Lotería! Stop into any of the nine Madison Public Library locations from December 16, 2024 - January 11, 2025 to pick up a WE READ Lotería Kit. Lotería is a traditional Mexican game similar to Bingo. The Lotería Kit includes four tablas (game cards), some colorful beans to mark your board, and a crown for the winners to wear. The game requires a WE READ card deck from summer. Don't have one? Grab a new deck to use from one of our libraries. Lotería will keep families laughing and talking together all winter long. Learn more about how to play Lotería in the play section on the madpl.org/weread website.

There are two Lotería Game Parties planned during Winter Break where families can play the game in person at the library, as well. These events include refreshments, music, and more: 

• Saturday, December 21, 1-2:30pm | Central Library
• Friday, December 27, 11am - 3pm | Alicia Ashman Library

Each location has also added new open-ended play materials to their play spaces ahead of Winter Break. Check out the online play guide at madpl.org/play to see which of the nine play spaces is right for your family.

Create

Youth, teens and families can attend a wide array of art and making programs led by library staff or local artists during winter break and beyond. Many programs will be supported by the Bubbler at Madison Public Library, including open studio hours with Central’s Artist-in-Residence TetraPAKMAN.

Winter Break Art and Making Programs:

• TetraPAKMAN Open Studio Hours: December 17, 10am - 12pm | Central Library
• After-school Art with Amy: December 17, 4pm | Pinney Library
• All Ages Knitting Circle: December 18, 3pm | Meadowridge Library
• Art Club for Families: December 18, 4pm | Goodman South Madison Library
• WE MAKE: December 18, 4:30pm | Hawthorne Library
• After-school Art with Elias: December 18, 4:30pm  | Lakeview Library
• Hawthorne Youth Cooking Club: December 19, 5pm | Hawthorne Library
• Teen Cooking Club: December 20, 4:30pm | Lakeview Library
• Saturday Art with Maria: December 21, 10am | Monroe Street Library
• A Grinchy Storytime: December 23, 10:30am | Meadowridge Library
• It Takes A Village-Let's Blow Off Some STEAM: December 23, 4:15pm | Goodman South Madison Library

A full list of programs is available online at madpl.org/weread

Write

Since 2021, Madison Public Library, Forward Madison, and the Wisconsin Book Festival have partnered to support literacy and encourage youth to use their voices through the WE READ Youth Voices Writing Contest. The competition is for aspiring writers in the Madison area aged 18 and under to submit a short story, poem, song, etc. on a pre-selected topic.

In 2024, writers were encouraged to submit stories on the theme of Celebrating Small Heroes. Every act of heroism, bravery, or kindness - no matter how small - matters, and more than 125 young writers shared stories of everyday acts of heroism and the impacts they can have. A panel of community judges selected a Grand Prize winner and several runners up for the contest in late August, as well as choosing 50 additional submissions to be included in the 2024 WE READ Youth Voices Anthology.

A print version of the anthology is now available for checkout at all Madison Public Libraries and at all school libraries in the Madison Metropolitan School District. Alternatively, you can read stories from all of our winners and honorable mentions, as well as see photos from the Author Reception hosted during the Wisconsin Book Festival Fall Celebration in October online at madpl.org/youthvoicesanthology.

WE READ is made possible thanks to support from Steve Stricker American Family Insurance Foundation, Madison Public Library Foundation, Friends of the Madison Public Library, and David Wood & Jane Doughty.

About Madison Public Library

Madison Public Library’s tradition of promoting education, literacy and community involvement has enriched the City of Madison for nearly 150 years.  Visit the library online at www.madisonpubliclibrary.org and @madisonpubliclibrary on Facebook and Instagram.