Winter Reading Kickoff

Dec. 8 from 4-8 p.m. | Library Lobby and Auditorium

For all ages: Sign up for the Winter Reading Challenge and enjoy hot cocoa, puzzles, holiday movies, stringing popcorn, and pictures with Santa!

Winter Reading Challenge

Dec. 1 to Jan. 31

The annual Winter Reading Challenge takes place from Dec. 1, 2025, to Jan. 31, 2026. Children and adults of all ages can sign up and log their reading at tpl.beanstack.org and earn a reward! A paper option is available for children and teens, which can be picked up at the library front desk. Download the paper options for Early Childhood or Grades K-12.

Beanstack

Learn more about how to log your time on the desktop or mobile app!

Challenges & Rewards 

• Early Childhood (Babies to Preschoolers): Complete a bingo card and earn a free book. 
• Elementary, Middle, and High School (Grades K-12): Read 6 hours and earn a free book. 
• Adults: Earn tickets for each book read, 3 tickets for a Blackout Card. Earn tickets that can be put towards a raffle prize. 

Reward Pickup 

• All age children and teens may pick up their free book at the front desk anytime after completion through February 28. Parents are asked to show completion in the Beanstack app or provide a printed reading log/bingo card that has been completed upon arrival. 
• Adults: Raffle winner will be notified by February 7 and will have two weeks to pick up their reward. 

Special Storytime: "Classical Music Storytime"

Dec. 5 at 10:30 a.m. | Auditorium (First Floor)

For children and families: Enjoy classical music inspired by fairy and folk tales provided by Consonari along with readings and crafts.  

Storytimes

Auditorium (First Floor)

For babies to preschoolers: listen to stories read aloud, sing songs, and enjoy playtime, sensory play, and crafts! Learn more below! There will be no storytimes on Nov.10-14 and Nov. 25-27.

• Baby Storytime | Tuesdays at 10:30 a.m.

• Toddler Storytime | Wednesdays at 10:30 a.m.

• Preschool Storytime | Thursdays at 10:30 a.m.

STEM Club with CodeNinjas

Dec. 6 at 3 p.m. | Makerspace (Third Floor)

For kids K-12: Join us for fun with CodeNinjas. The theme this session is patterns and sequences. Registration required. Sign up here.

Winter Oil Pastel Activity

Dec. 9 at 5:30 p.m. | Auditorium (First Floor)

For kids K-12: Join us as we express ourselves through art using pastels to create winter scenes. No registration required.

Lego Block Party

Come-and-go | Auditorium (First Floor)

Dec. 11 from 5-6:45 p.m.

Dec. 30 from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.

For kids 7-18: Join us for free play! No registration required.

Star Party

Dec. 15 at 6 p.m. | Auditorium (First Floor)

An event in partnership with the East Texas Astronomical Association. This program is for all ages children and adults. No registration is required.

Art 4 Fun

Dec. 18 at 5:30 p.m. | Auditorium (First Floor)

For grades 3-12: Make your own Sharpie artwork. Registration required. Sign up here.

Open Makerspace

Dec. 19 at 2 p.m. | Makerspace (Third Floor)

Join library staff in the Makerspace to build, tinker, or create art. This come-and-go program is for children pre-K through Grade 12 and their families.

Winter Break Movies

Auditorium (First Floor)

For kids and families at 1 p.m. on the following dates in the Auditorium. Pillows, blankets, and carpet-friendly snacks are welcome. Drinks must have lids.

• "Elio" Dec. 29. Rated PG from some action/peril and thematic elements.
• "How To Train Your Dragon" (2025) Dec. 31. Rated PG for sequences of intense action and peril.
• "Lilo & Stitch" (2025) Jan. 2. Rated PG for some action/peril and thematic elements.

Monthly Activity

"Winter Mural Activity"

All December| Rover Cart (First Floor)

Each month, our Rover Cart features a STEAM-oriented activity for kids to do when they visit the library. December's activity is "Winter Mural Activity." Kids can make art together in a collaborative winter art mural.

Five Finger Rule

Use the Five Finger Rule to help determine the best fit book for your child. Download the Five Finger Rule chart.

Easy Reader Levels 

The Library's Easy Reader Collection is a great fit for young readers whose reading skills and interests are outgrowing picture books but are not quite ready to take on full chapter books. Easy Readers bridge this gap by having short chapters and often including pictures.

Easy Readers are located on the back wall in the Children's Area and include both fiction and select nonfiction works.

Easy Readers are divided into four levels. Use the chart below to find the right level for your child. You can also download the Easy Reader Level Chart.

*Level information is adapted from Harper Collins Children's Books.

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For questions, please call (903)593-7323 and ask to speak with Youth Services staff or contact us using the Ask a Librarian form.

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