Adventure Explorer
500 Books Before High School for K-8th Grade

Are you an adventure explorer?  To obtain the adventure explorer badge, we challenge you to read 10 books in the adventure genre! These books deal with traveling the world, epic fights, and exploring! Browse and look for the adventure sticker on the spine of our books or consult this suggested reading list. Once you find and read a book, don’t forget to complete the activity with the title.  Remember, these are only books you read after you started our 500 Books Before High School program! 

Animal Explorer
500 Books Before High School for K-8th Grade

Are you an animal explorer?  To obtain the animal explorer badge, we challenge you to read 10 nonfiction animal books! These books with give you information about real animals in the world! Browse and look for the 590s in our nonfiction section or consult this suggested reading list. Once you find and read a book, don’t forget to complete the activity with the title.  Remember, these are only books you read after you started our 500 Books Before High School program! 

Animal Yoga
Pre-K 2021 Tails & Tales for Ages Birth- Preschool

Learn about animals by acting them out through simple yoga poses for kids. Follow the animal yoga sequence below or make up your own yoga journey!

Beastly Letters (Art)
All Programs

Turn everyday letters into something beastly! Draw the first initial of their names and create an animal with it, then upload a picture of them to receive your digital badge!

Biography Explorer
500 Books Before High School for K-8th Grade

Are you a biography explorer?  To obtain the biography explorer badge, we challenge you to read 10 books in the biography genre! These books all are about the real lives of real people and how they’ve helped the world! Browse the EJ and J Biography books or consult this suggested reading list. Once you find and read a book, don’t forget to complete the activity with the title.  Remember, these are only books you read after you started our 500 Books Before High School program! 

Bookmark Contest
All Programs

DESIGN A BOOKMARK for the Parsippany-Troy Hills Library System!Contest is open to children, from preschool through grade 8. All entries will be displayed on Facebook starting August 3. Winning entries will be printed and distributed at the library.Contest begins June 29.Artwork should relate to books, reading, or libraries. All artwork must be original.Please use pencils, crayons, paints, pens, or markers in your design. Design a bookmark in the rectangle to the right. Entries must be completed on this form. Please do not fold/crumple this form.All entries must be submitted to the Children's Department at Parsippany Main or Lake Hiawatha by July 27, 2021. One entry per person, please.Submissions will not be returned.Entries will be divided into categories by age level. Entries must contain the grade the child will enter in the fall.Voting will take place August 4-18. Anyone may vote, but please, only one ballot per person.Winners be will announced August 27. The two designs in each category with the most votes will be printed and distributed by the library. The winner's first name and age will be printed on each bookmark.CLICK HERE TO PRINT ENTRY FORM 

Classics Explorer
500 Books Before High School for K-8th Grade

Are you a classics explorer?  To obtain the classics explorer badge, we challenge you to read 10 books that are considered classics! Browse and look for the classics sticker on the spine of our books or consult this suggested reading list. Once you find and read a book, don’t forget to complete the activity with the title.  Remember, these are only books you read after you started our 500 Books Before High School program! 

Create Your Own Video Book Review!
All Programs

Do you enjoy reading? Do you enjoy creating your own content to share with others to tell them about all the awesome opinions you have? You should create your own video book review! After submitting, Miss Kristen will compile everyone's reviews into a Book Tasting video to share for Facebook and Youtube!Your video should be:1. About ONE book.2. No more than a minute.3. Make sure you tell people why they should read it! Did you like the characters? The setting? What genre is it? What is it about? Remember, try not to spoil the ending! Watch one of Miss Kristen's Book Tasting Videos for some ideas.One your video is done, please share it via Google Drive with kristen.comeaux@parsippanylibrary.org once she has enough, she'll make a video compilation of everyone's reviews! You can also email with any questions you may have.  Sending a video means you give permission for it to  be posted on the library's social media.See video inspiration with our last Parsippany Kid's Book Tasting Video or with one of Miss Kristen's.

Creative Writing Contest 2021
All Programs

Creative Writing ContestWrite your own short story to enter into our contest!Rules:1. Your short story must be your own original work. Only one entry per person.2. Contest is for those entering 3rd grade - 12thgrade. Prizes will be given out based on grade levels.2. Your entry must be signed by a parent or guardian, which is stating it is your own work and that no help was given (besides for proofreading assistance), as well as giving permission to publish your work in our creative writing anthology.3. Work must be between 500-1000 words.4. All work must be typed for entry as you want it to be published. EACH page for entry should have name, grade, and phone number on it. All works should contain a title.5. Entries can be submitted in person, mailed to 68 Nokomis Ave. Lake Hiawatha, NJ 07034 or via email attachment (please try to provide a Google doc or Microsoft doc file) to Kristen.comeaux@parsippanylibrary.org. All entries MUST BE SIGNED or submitted via email with stated permission to publish in our creative writing anthology by a parent or guardian. Entries returned without a signature/permission will be disqualified.6. Entries must be submitted by July 31, 2021.

Destination Discovery
All Programs

Write a paragraph describing a fun place you have visited.  Or, draw a picture of a place you have traveled to.  Upload picture here.  

Fairy & Folk Tale Explorer
500 Books Before High School for K-8th Grade

Are you a fairy & folk tales explorer?  To obtain the fairy & folk tales explorer badge, we challenge you to read 10 fairy & folk tale books! Browse and look for the fairy & folk tale sticker on the spine of the books or consult this suggested reading list. Once you find and read a book, don’t forget to complete the activity with the title.  Remember, these are only books you read after you started our 500 Books Before High School program! 

Fairy Tale Tale Fun
All Programs

Write a short paragraph describing your favorite OR draw a picture showing your favorite scene in the story.

Fantasy Explorer
500 Books Before High School for K-8th Grade

Are you a fantasy explorer?  To obtain the fantasy explorer badge, we challenge you to read 10 books in the fantasy genre! These books deal with dragons, magic, and all things fantastical! Browse and look for the fantasy sticker on the spine of our books or consult this suggested reading list. Once you find and read a book, don’t forget to complete the activity with the title.  Remember, these are only books you read after you started our 500 Books Before High School program! 

Graphic Novel Explorer
500 Books Before High School for K-8th Grade

Are you a graphic novel explorer?  To obtain the graphic novel explorer badge, we challenge you to read 10 books that are graphic novels! These books deal so many different subjects from fiction to nonfiction, but all are told with sequential pictures and text! Browse and look for the graphic novel sticker on the spine of our books or consult this suggested reading list. Once you find and read a book, don’t forget to complete the activity with the title.  Remember, these are only books you read after you started our 500 Books Before High School program! 

Historical Fiction Explorer
500 Books Before High School for K-8th Grade

Are you a historical fiction explorer?  To obtain the historical fiction explorer badge, we challenge you to read 10 books in the historical fiction genre! These books are set in the past, sometimes made up and sometimes set during real life events! Browse and look for the historical fiction sticker on the spine of our books or consult this suggested reading list. Once you find and read a book, don’t forget to complete the activity with the title.  Remember, these are only books you read after you started our 500 Books Before High School program! 

History Explorer
500 Books Before High School for K-8th Grade

Are you a history explorer?  To obtain the history explorer badge, we challenge you to read 10 nonfiction history books! These books are set in the past, telling us facts about historical events and the people that did them! Browse the 900s nonfiction section or consult this suggested reading list. Once you find and read a book, don’t forget to complete the activity with the title.  Remember, these are only books you read after you started our 500 Books Before High School program! 

Match the Tail
Elementary 2021 Tails & Tales Entering Grades K-5

Do you love animals? Guess what animal each tail belongs to! *Need a hint? Try one of these! Alligator, beaver, chameleon, elephant, giraffe, lemur, pig, tiger, whale, zebra.

Mystery Explorer
500 Books Before High School for K-8th Grade

Are you a mystery explorer?  To obtain the mystery explorer badge, we challenge you to read 10 books in the mystery genre! These books deal with detectives, sleuthing out clues and solving crimes. Browse and look for the mystery sticker on the spine of our books or consult this suggested reading list. Once you find and read a book, don’t forget to complete the activity with the title.  Remember, these are only books you read after you started our 500 Books Before High School program! 

Nature Journal Observations
Elementary 2021 Tails & Tales Entering Grades K-5

Create your own nature journal and complete the following activities below for 50 points and a cool badge!

Pet Captions!
All Programs

Write a caption for these pet photos!

Photography 101
All Programs

Our teen volunteer, Shariqa is teaching us more about photography.  Watch the video and learn more about how to take the best pictures! - https://youtu.be/8PNV1cglsMU

Photography Contest
All Programs

Photography ContestEnter your favorite photo YOU have taken to get voted on by the public!Rules:1. Your photo must be your own original work. Only one entry per person.2. Categories are Elementary, Teen, and Adult. Prizes will be given out based on category.3. With submission of your entry, that is giving the library permission to post on social media. If your photo contains people, please have permission from your subject(s) for their likeness to be posted.4. Entries can be submitted by filling out this form - https://forms.gle/yzWiUzrBRTQNSuJF96. Entries must be submitted by July 14th, 2021. 7.  Voting will begin on July 19th-31st via a Google Form.  Photos will be displayed on our Facebook page.

Photography Contest Voting!
All Programs

Vote for your favorite photographs for our photography contest here - https://forms.gle/8DJnMXyLsmc72re3A

Poetry Explorer
500 Books Before High School for K-8th Grade

Are you a poetry explorer?  To obtain the poetry explorer badge, we challenge you to read 10 books in the poetry  genre! These books all contain poems, are about poetry, and some are even novels in verse! Browse the 808, 811 and 821 Nonfiction books or consult this suggested reading list. Once you find and read a book, don’t forget to complete the activity with the title.  Remember, these are only books you read after you started our 500 Books Before High School program! 

School Stories Explorer
500 Books Before High School for K-8th Grade

Are you a school stories explorer?  To obtain the school stories explorer badge, we challenge you to read 10 books in the school stories genre! These books deal with school, friendship, and fitting in. Browse and look for the realistic sticker on the spine of our books or consult this suggested reading list. Once you find and read a book, don’t forget to complete the activity with the title.  Remember, these are only books you read after you started our 500 Books Before High School program! 

Science Explorer
500 Books Before High School for K-8th Grade

Are you a science explorer?  To obtain the science explorer badge, we challenge you to read 10 nonfiction science books! These books deal can be facts about chemistry, space, or even the weather! Browse in the 500-620 nonfiction section or consult this suggested reading list. Once you find and read a book, don’t forget to complete the activity with the title.  Remember, these are only books you read after you started our 500 Books Before High School program! 

Science Fiction Explorer
500 Books Before High School for K-8th Grade

Are you a science fiction explorer?  To obtain the science fiction explorer badge, we challenge you to read 10 books in the science fiction genre! These books deal with space, the future of science, and out of this world adventures. Browse and look for the science fiction sticker on the spine of our books or consult this suggested reading list. Once you find and read a book, don’t forget to complete the activity with the title.  Remember, these are only books you read after you started our 500 Books Before High School program! 

Sports Explorer
500 Books Before High School for K-8th Grade

Are you a sports explorer?  To obtain the sports explorer badge, we challenge you to read 10 books that deal with sports - nonfiction or fiction! These books deal with sports, people that play them, and sometimes even major sporting events! Browse and look for the sports sticker on the spine of our books, browse the 790s in our nonfiction section or consult this suggested reading list. Once you find and read a book, don’t forget to complete the activity with the title.  Remember, these are only books you read after you started our 500 Books Before High School program! 

Talent Show
All Programs

Applying for the Parsippany-Troy Hills Public Library System Talent ShowTo be eligible:The show is open to students in entering grades 2-5 ONLY.The talent show will be compiled from video submissions. Videos must be submitted no later than July 21st, 2021. Miss Kristen will respond via email with confirmation upon receiving and approving submission. The talent show video will be available on July 29th!Rules:1. Acts are limited to 2 minutes, no exceptions.2. Lyrics, costumes and performances should all be appropriate and adhere to Library Policy and be appropriate for all audiences.3. Lip-syncing or sing-along acts will not be allowed. All music should have only background vocals, no main vocals.4. Any child performing with dancing, gymnastics, martial arts, or other intensive routines must be well-trained.5. All acts must be shared via Google Drive with Kristen.comeaux@parsippanylibrary.orgby July 21st, 2021 as well as filling out the online application for participation. You may fill out the application prior to recording and submitting your performance so that Miss Kristen can send reminders as the deadline approaches.BE CREATIVE. SHOW OFF YOUR TALENT!APPLICATION: https://forms.gle/tVDnxeywMqu7PFr18

Talent Show Performance!
All Programs

Watch our young patrons as they show off their talents! Entries into our talent show are compiled into a must watch video!Watch the performance here https://youtu.be/i0g5AZKQWZA!

There's No Place Like Home!
All Programs

Create a brand new animal and the habitat that it would thrive in.  Be creative!  Think about what they need to eat, sleep, live and be comfortable.

Visit the Storywalk at the Main Library!
All Programs

Visit the storywalk at the Main Library!Find out more information here - https://youtu.be/EHiervAWLBE

Emojis Tale
Teen 2021 Tails & Tales

Use the Emojis to guess the name of the book. How well do you know your Emojis?