Fantasy Series Trivia

Fantasy Series Trivia
Wednesday, November 10
4 - 5 p.m.

Grades 4 - 6

Will you take Percy Jackson for 500 points?  How about Harry Potter for 1000? Come to the public library on Wednesday, November 10 at 4 p.m. and play a "Jeopardy" game show style trivia game with questions about some of your favorite fantasy series books!  We'll have quetions about Harry, Percy, Gregor, Eragon, Warriors, Narnia and more!  Don't worry if you haven't read them all - that is part of the fun.  The game will be played in teams AND we'll have prizes!  Registration is required, so please let us know if you plan to attend by clicking here.

Scary Story by Molly Langheim

Today's scary story is by third grader, Molly Langheim.  Molly's story is all about an evil vampire who is trying to take over the world by turning children into his minions!  MWHAHAHAAA!!!!

Read Molly's story here.

Scary Story by Reed Ryan

Today's Scary Story of the Day is "My Daughter is a Demon" by Reed Ryan.  Scroll down to read the story and see Reed's illustrations!

Scary Story by Emma Nelson

Today's scary story of the day is "Mummies in the Mansion" by Emma Nelson.  Scroll down to read Emma's story!

Scary Story by Jedidiah Mayhak

Today's scary story of the day is by fifth grader, Jedidiah Mayhak. Jedidah's story is all about a close call with some big sharks. Click here to read "Shark Attack in the Pacific Ocean" by Jedidiah Mayhak.

Scary Story by Elana Dresen

Today's scary story of the day is by fifth grader, Elana Dresen.  Elana's story is a scary tale of a chain-letter email that no one wants to receive!  Click here to read Elana's story "The Disappearance"

Waunakee Kids talk about conserving energy!

During the summer, Waunakee Public Library hosted a MaGic Energy Show with Bob Kann. The show was sponsored by MG&E. After the show many children were interviewed about ways adults could help save energy.  Now you can watch those interviews by clicking on the video below!

Scary Story by Lydia Miller

"The Footprint" by 4th grader, Lydia Miller is today's scary story.  Lydia's story is a spooky tale of two brothers and a few ghosts!
Read "The Footprint" here.

Scary Story by Katia Wanish

Our scary story of the day is about a tiny mouse and a ghost... or is it?  "A Mouse Kiss" is by Katia Wanish who is a 4th grader.  Read Katia's story here.

Scary Story by Danika Wanish

Today's scary story of the day is "A Shake of Pepper" by Danika Wanish.  Danika, who is a first grader, wrote about her two giraffes and their visit to Dinosaur Land.  Unfortunately for  Danika's friends, the king of Dinosaur Land does not like giraffes!

To read Danika's story, click here.

Scary Story by Alex Janis

Today's super scary story is by 4th grader, Alex Janis.  Alex's story is about four friends in a very scary house with giant spiders and snakes!

Click here to read Alex's story.

Scary Story by Stephanie Wallen

The scary story for today is by Stephanie Wallen. Stephanie's story "Finding Uncle's Tractor" was the first place winner in our 5th - 6th grade category. Congratulations Stephanie!

Click here to read the story.

Scary Story by Micah Mayhak

Today's scary story by Micah Mayhak is all about what happens when a guy named Nick decides to jump out of a perfectly good airplane.  Micah writes about the scary moments that follow when Nick's parachute doesn't open!


Read Micah's story here.

Scary Story of the Day by Ellen Finnel

Today's Scary Story is a spooky tale of a haunted house and was written by Ellen Finnel.  Ellen's story was the first place winner in our 3rd - 4th grade category.  Congratulations Ellen!

Click here to read Ellen's story.

Scary Story of the Day!

Our Scary Story of the Day is "Werewolf" by Sydney Jezik.  Sydney's story won first place in our K-2nd grade category.  Congratulations Sydney!

Click here to read Sydney's story.

Scary Story Writing Contest Winners

Congratulations to the winners of our Scary Story Writing Contest!

K-2^nd Grade
“Werewolf”
 by Sydney Jezik

3^rd – 4^th Grade

“There’s only three more days till Halloween…”
by Ellen Finnel

5^th – 6^th Grade

“Finding Uncle’s Tractor”
 by Stephanie Wallen

Each winner will receive a certificate and a prize from the library. Plus, a portion of each winning story will be read at our Scary Story Afterschool Adventure on Thursday, October 14.  

COMING SOON.... Scary Story of the Day!  One contest story per day will be published on this blog from now until Halloween.

Teddy Bear Time Thursdays! - New Session

Just added to our calendar - a Thursday morning Teddy Bear Time!
The program takes place Thursdays at 9:15 a.m. 
Teddy Bear Time  is a 30 minute program full of songs, activities, stories and fun especially for 2 and 3 year olds and their caregivers. If you would like to join us for this new session, please register here

Second Toddler Time Session Added!

Our Toddler Time program has been so popular this season that we have added a second session! Toddler Time will now meet at 10 a.m. AND 10:40 a.m. on Thursdays.  Toddler Time is a fun and active 20 minute program for toddlers (ages 1 and 2) and a favorite adult.  We share stories, songs and rhymes each week.  There are still a few spots available for the 10:40 program.  For more information or to register for the program, click here.

New Storyboxes!

Check out some of our new storyboxes here at the library! 
Each storybox centers around a different theme and includes fun books and toys.

How to Draw Manga Style Workshop for Teens

How to Draw... Manga Style
with Nick Katzfey

On Wednesday, October 13 at 4 p.m. the library will host a how to draw program with artist and illustrator Nick Katzfey.  Nick will show us years of art school tricks, tips and techniques in a FREE one-hour workshop.  Come learn to draw people, poses, characters, costumes, and other cool stuff. Bring your sketchbooks and pencils!

This program is presented by the Waunakee Public Library and the Waunakee High School Manga and Anime club and is recommended for grades 7 and up.

To save your space in the program, register online or with a librarian.



This program is supported by Federal Library Services and Technology Act funds, awarded to the DPI by the Federal Institute of Museum and Library Services.

Reading Champion Grand Prize Drawing Winners!

Congratulations to our Summer Library Program
Grand Prize Winners, Reed  and Zoe!

Both Zoe and Reed won  Waunakee Public Library book bags and $25 Borders gift cards.  The grand prize drawing was for readers who completed at least one full reading log this summer which means that both Zoe and Reed read at least 20 hours.  Thank you to all our reading champions who entered the contest and congratulations Reed and Zoe!

Movies @ the Library!

Join us for some great movies in our library programming room.  We’ll serve (free!) lemonade and popcorn, or you can bring your own snack.  We aren’t allowed to publish specific movie titles but movie descriptions and ratings can be found below.  Please call the library for more details, if needed.

Friday, September 17 at 2 p.m. (Early Release Day)
See the new movie about wimpy kid, Greg Heffley and his attempts to survive middle school. Based on the book by Jeff Kinney. Rated PG

Wednesday, October 27 at 2 p.m. (Early Release Day)
Just in time for Halloween!  See the spooky story of a curious girl named Coraline who unlocks a mysterious door in her family's new home and enters into an adventure in a parallel reality. Based on the book by Neil Gaiman.  Rated PG.

Thursday, October 21 at 3:45 p.m.
Celebrate Teen Read Week “Books with Beat”.  Join us for this new movie starring Miley Cyrus.  The story follows Ronnie (Cyrus) and her estranged father as he tries to restore the loving relationship they once had. But reconnecting with his rebellious daughter isn’t easy, so he chooses the one thing they still have in common — music. Based on the book by Nicholas Sparks.  Rated PG.

Monday, December 6 at 2 p.m. (Early Release Day)
Bah Humbug!  Join us for the newest version of a beloved Christmas classic.  Jim Carrey stars as Scrooge.  Based on the story by Charles Dickens. Rated PG.

Scary Story Writing Contest

Waunakee Public Library is hosting a Scary Story Writing Contest for Kindergarten through 6th graders!    Judges will choose a winning story in three age level categories.   Entry forms for the writing contest have all the details and can be picked up at the library or downloaded here. 

Winning stories will be read or told at our  Scary Story After School Adventure on October 14 and published right here on this blog!  

New Reading List on our Book Bag Blog - 50 great picture books!

We've compiled a list of 50 classic picture books and newer favorites that are so great, we think everyone should know about them!  The list is on our new Book Bag Blog which features book reviews and recommended reading lists.  You can see it here:  50 Picture Books Everyone Should Know

WPL Teens: Mockingjay is coming!

WPL Teens: Mockingjay is coming!: "Are you a Hunger Games fan who is eagerly waiting for Mockingjay, the third and final book in the series by Suzanne Collins? Here is a cou..."

Fall Newsletter - Get yours today!

With summer winding down, it is time to start planning a great Fall at the library! Our programs for children and families have been added to the online Events Calendar. Also, our new fall newsletter is now available at the library! Some highlights for the coming season include preschool storytimes, a special BabyTime for our youngest pre-readers a Scary Story Writing Contest and more.

WPL Store

The WPL store is OPEN! If you have completed at least 8 lines of your reading log, come choose a prize during library hours August 13 - 19. The "store" is located in our program room on the downstairs level of the library. It is stocked with books for children and teens, plus posters and more. Everyone (with 8 lines or more completed) gets to shop around the store and choose the one item of their choice! Come take a look and be sure to bring your reading log!

Teen Art Contest Winners!

This summer, Waunakee Public Library hosted a "Make Waves" Teen Art Contest sponsored by our Teen Advisory Board and the Friends of Waunakee Public Library. We had 12 wonderful entries from teens in the community. Making a decision was not easy for our judges but we are ready to announce the top 3 submissions. Congratulations!


1st Place Winner
"Peachy Beach" by Jessica Murphy.

2nd Place
"Uniek Splash" by Corban Mayhak

3rd Place
"Saltwater Tears" by Gwendolyn Haag


Congratulations to these artists and thank you to all of the talented teens who entered the contest. All of the artwork, including the top three winning pieces remain on display at the library through the end of this month. Please stop by and take a look!

WPL Store and More

Wow! Where did the summer go? It may still be hot outside, but school is fast approaching and our Summer Library Program is coming to an end. You have until Saturday, August 14 to claim your regular reading prizes. Be sure to stop by the library this week and pick something from our prize buckets!

Already claimed prizes this week? Great, but don't throw away your reading logs yet! You may be eligible to choose a prize from our Waunakee Public Library (WPL) store! At the WPL store, we have books, posters and more. Everyone who has completed at least 8 lines of a summer reading log may "shop" in the store and choose something to take home. The store will be open during library hours August 13 - 19. Be sure to bring your reading log, it will be your ticket to choose a prize!

MaGic Energy Show Video

Waunakee Public Library is proud to be the host site for the program in this video! Thank you MG&E and Bob Kann for a great show!

Remnants of the Rainforest - Second Show Added!

We are adding a second end of summer celebration! Remnants of the Rainforest will take place on Tuesday, August 10, 2010 at both 10 a.m. and 2 p.m.! We are adding the morning show to help accomodate more children and families since our summer programs have been so popular this year. Below is more information about the program.

Remnants of the Rainforest
Tuesday, August 10
10 a.m. and 2 p.m.
Bring the family to meet “Dino” of Nature’s Niche and his animal friends! We’ll see tropical animals such as live spiders, insects, amphibians, snakes, turtles, lizards, tropical birds, and mammals found in rainforests. Registration is not required, but you may want to arrive early, this is sure to be a popular program and space is limited!

Library Reading Champions

Have you noticed a "Library Reading Champion" sign in your neighborhood? Students from all around Waunakee are meeting the challenge to read at least 20 hours this summer and they have a sign to prove it! We know how important reading is, but did you know that studies have shown that students who don't read over the summer can lose those important reading skills? Library Summer Reading Programs try to make sure that does not happen. So far this summer more than 1600 children and teens in Waunakee have registered to read! So, if you know a Library Reading Champion be sure to say "Congratulations" and let's work to keep Waunakee a community of readers.

Battleship Tournament

Fifteen players spent the afternoon of July 12, 2010 battling for Battleship glory at the library.

Congratulations to these winners!

1st place - Alex

2nd place - Derek

3rd place - Samuel

Teen Beach Party - Smoothie Showdown!

On June 21, teens from around Waunakee gathered to play some beach games and battle in an iron-chef (like) smoothie showdown. Four teams competed to create a smoothie that would impress our judge - but only one team could win!

Congratulations to Breana, Baylee, Sammi and Taylor who created the winning recipe. Want to try it at home? Here is the recipe, enjoy!

What you will need:
Blender
Milk
Frozen Strawberries (about 1 cup)
1 Mango (sliced)
1/4 cup Pineapple (canned is fine)
1 Banana (whole, peeled)


Place the fruit in the blender, add some milk (a little at a time) and blend. Add milk until the smoothie is the thickness you like!

Makes enough for about 4 people.