TORRINGTON – The holiday spirit was alive this past Saturday, as over 150 children gathered for a “Cozy Christmas” event hosted by the library in partnership with Torrington Main Street. There were activities in every section of the library designed to allow the kids to use their creativity and enthusiasm to participate in holiday traditions. 

In conjunction with an hourly reading of 12 Sleighs of Christmas written by Sherri Duskey Rinker and illustrated by Jake Parker, children were invited to use their imagination to create a sleigh of their own using a variety of materials like cardboard, paper towel rolls, DVDs, ribbon, and more. Many children recreated a classic sleigh while others attempted to improve the traditional design with slides, engines, and snow ploughs. Next door in the Library Foundation Activity Center, children decorated Christmas cookies and enjoyed chocolate milk. The children were even able to complete a scavenger hunt for photos of holiday items throughout the library. 

A group of talented singers from the High School Torrington Choir added to the festive environment by filling the library with holiday music. The students performed a variety of classic Christmas songs acapella style. To round out the excitement, Santa made a special appearance at the event with Miss Merry Christmas, Sarah Birdsall. Children shared their Christmas wishes and posed for a photo with Santa. 

Many parents shared that the library has a positive impact on their children as they participate in Early Explorers and other children’s programs, so to have the library as part of their holiday fun was a special experience. The “Cozy Christmas” event was truly a celebration of reading, creativity, and self-expression.