The final evening Story Time for 2025 at the Jefferson Public Library is coming up soon.

Youth Services Librarian Bailey Mount says the Monday night program “Settle Down Story Time” takes place from 6-7pm and the activities are the opposite of a normal Story Time. She tells Raccoon Valley Radio, the kids and parents start by socializing while playing together and doing crafts. Mount states that the program then transitions into the story and songs to wind everyone down before bedtime. 

Mount reveals that Monday’s theme is “PJ and Hot Cocoa Story Time,” with one caveat.

“Parents, this is very important, that does not mean that I’m giving your children hot cocoa, because I just spent time talking about how we’re trying to wind them down. What I am going to do is give attending families a Hot Cocoa Kit so you can give your child sugar at a more appropriate time when you want to.” 

Mount says each Hot Cocoa Kit includes marshmallows and a candy cane. She describes another special treat is that every family that attends will also receive a Christmas Book Kit from a benefactor who is friends with an author of a children’s book series, “Chase Reports” by Peggy Zortman.

“Peggy’s books follow a rescue dog named Chase and they’re told from his perspective as he kind of experiences the world around him.

Mount states that each of those kits includes Zortman’s newest book, “A Magical Christmas Adventure” along with a candle, crayons and a candy cane. She adds that this program is free and they are also expanding the age from newborns to eight-year-olds.