Family time at the library never the same old story

There are few better ways to spend a cold winter day than curled up with a good book. If you're looking to instill a love of reading into your children early or help them develop some of the skills they'll need to start, local libraries offer story times for different age groups. Here are some interesting programs around the suburbs, but it's not a comprehensive list of all programs being offered, so check your branch for programs near you.

Arlington Heights Memorial Library, 500 N. Dunton Ave., Arlington Heights, (847) 392-0100; ahml.info

Times: 7 p.m. Feb. 20 and 27

Target age: 2 to 5

Pajama story time is one of Arlington Heights Memorial Library's most popular programs of the year so registration is only open to residents until a day before the event. Kids are encouraged to wear PJs and bring a stuffed animal and blanket for about 45 minutes of reading and puppet shows, with cookies provided as a snack.

Elk Grove Village Public Library, 1001 Wellington Ave., Elk Grove Village, (847) 439-0447; egvpl.org

Times: Evening Story Time 7 p.m. Wednesday Jan. 21 through March 18; Getting Ready to Read 10 a.m. and 1:30 p.m. Tuesday, 10 a.m. Thursday Jan. 20 through April 2

Target age: All ages for Evening Story Time, 3 and up for Getting Ready to Read

Evening Story Time mixes reading stories with more interactive elements to keep children focused. There's a little dancing to keep them from getting restless sitting, finger play, a professional puppeteer doing shows and some phonics exercises. At the end of the session everyone gets a picture to color and decorate at the library or at home. The class usually runs about 30 minutes though the session leaders play it by ear depending on the crowd, sharing a more complex book if the kids are older or keeping it short and adding more activities if it's a young group. Occasionally 6- and 7-year-olds who have graduated from the story times come back to read to others.

Ready to Read focuses on education, with more books and exercises geared towards teaching kids letter and sound recognition. Younger kids are still welcome so long as they're not disruptive.

Fox River Grove Public Library, 407 Lincoln Ave., Fox River Grove, (847) 639-2274; frgml.lib.il.us

Times: Wee Ones 10:30 a.m. Tuesday, Tiny Tots 10:30 a.m. Wednesday

Target age: Wee Ones 0-23 months, Tiny Tots 2-3

Wee Ones story time is highly interactive between children and parents, with young kids often sitting on their laps. The sessions include short stories using visuals and the same songs with musical instruments each week so regular visitors can get to know them a little. Tiny Tots encourages more independence, starting with an opening song and dance and then moving to stories, often with another song in the middle, a craft and a goodbye song at the end.

Rolling Meadows Public Library, 3110 Martin Lane, Rolling Meadows, (847) 259-6055; rmlib.org

Times: 7:15 p.m. Tuesday through Feb. 10

Target age: Preschoolers

Meant to teach early literacy skills and encourage a love of reading, family story time features a theme each week with different books and an associated craft. The sessions also include songs and interactive play.

Des Plaines Public Library, 1501 Ellinwood Ave., Des Plaines, (847) 827-5551; dppl.org

Times: Drop-in Family Story Time 7 p.m. Jan. 19 and 26, PJ Story Time 7 p.m. Feb. 10

Target age: 3-7

For PJ Story Time kids are encouraged to come dressed ready for bed and bring their favorite stuffed animal. The 45 minute session includes stories, songs and a craft all about bears. Family Story Time also features different themes each week and includes reading, props, puppets and finger play.

Aurora Public Library, 555 S. Eola Road, Aurora, (630) 264-3400; aurora.lib.il.us

Times: Family Drop-In Story Time 10 a.m. Friday through May 15; Saturday Story & Craft 10 a.m. Feb. 7

Target age: Family Drop-In Story Time 2-7; Saturday Story & Craft kindergarten and first grade

The preschool focused family story times are very engaging, using a mix of puppets and stories told with props and boards featuring a select theme for each session. The next theme for Story & Craft is polar bears and parents are encouraged to help with the kids projects.