Registration for the Iowa City Public Library’s Sweet Reads Winter Reading Program is underway.

Available for young readers ages 3 through 12, the program will help children pass the winter hours when it’s too cold to play outdoors.

Kids who read and track 10 books on their reading log will receive a small sweet treat.

Anyone who reads and tracks an additional 10 books, for a total of 20 books, will receive a free kids’ meal at Chili’s Grill & Bar in Coralville.

Sign up at the Children’s Desk or online. All participants will receive a game card to track their progress.

Sweet Reads ends on February 2.

Laugh your tails off with Funny Nuggets, The Comedy Clubhouse For Kids, from 1 to 3:30 p.m. on Friday, Jan. 4!

Funny Nuggets is an arts-oriented experience for students in kindergarten through 6th grade. This program consists of an interactive skit, creative craft, silly songs, and goofy games all centered around a common theme. Our theme at the Library will be "Three Little Pigs With a Twist!"

Kids will watch comedic performers and have a chance to get involved with improv games and more. Join us and show your silly side at the Library!

The Iowa City Public Library is pleased to present our favorite reads of 2018!

Employees were asked to submit the titles they read and loved in 2018 with all nominations divided into 10 categories, including children's – babies through 2^nd grade and children’s – 3^rd through 6^th grades. The only rule was that the book had to be released in 2018. 

Here are our favorite Children's Books for the year; how many have you read?

ICPL’S BEST CHILDREN’S – BABIES THROUGH 2^ND GRADE BOOKS OF 2018

• Mae Among the Stars by Roda Ahmed
• Hello Lighthouse by Sophie Blackall     
• I Am Enough by Grace Byers
• Yoga Frog by Nora Carpenter
• Peanut Butter and Jelly (A Narwhal and Jelly Book #3) by Ben Clanton
• Petra by Marianna Coppo
• Ocean Meets Sky by Terry Fan and Eric Fan
• Stegothesaurus by Bridget Heos
• Stop That Yawn! by Caron Levis
• A Big Mooncake for Little Star by Grace Lin        
• Julian is a Mermaid by Jessica Love
• Lazybones by Claire Messer
• Snow Pony and the Seven Miniature Ponies by Christian Trimmer 
• Last Week Tonight with John Oliver Presents A Day in the Life of Marlon Bundo by Jill Twiss       
• The Itchy Book! by LeUyen Pham and Mo Willems
• How Do Dinosaurs Learn to Read? Jane Yolen

ICPL’S BEST CHILDREN’S – 3^rd THROUGH 6^th GRADE BOOKS OF 2018

• We Rise, We Resist, We Raise Our Voices edited by Wade Hudson and Cheryl Willis Hudson
• The Parker Inheritance by Varian Johnson
• Grilled Cheese and Dragons #1 (Princess Pulverizer) by Nancy Krulik
• The Miscalculations of Lightning Girl by Stacy McAnulty
• Payback on Poplar Lane by Margaret Mincks
• Aquicorn Cove by Katie O’Neill
• Betty Before X by Ilyasah Shabazz and Renee Watson
• The Law of Finders Keepers by Sheila Turnage
• Harbor Me by Jacqueline Woodson
• Front Desk by Kelly Yang