By Annabeth Miller,
ShowMe Times Editor
Reading is for … well, the birds!
To be more specific, at Dexter’s Keller Public Library, reading’s for the owls, kids and all kinds of nocturnal creatures during the Summer Reading Program. And during Wednesday’s weekly program at the local library, kids had the chance to “go camping” and learn more about owls and sing old-fashioned campout songs and hear great stories.
This summer, the Keller Library is putting fun and adventure back into summer reading through its annual summer reading program “Dream Big … READ!” Youngsters (and adults, too) enter the transformed library Community Room – changed into a nighttime world filled with a beautiful moon in the western corner, starry skies, and nighttime animals.
The theme this week was “We’re Going On a Campout!” and leaders Rita LeBeau and Delisa Stitz were joined by a team of adults and older kids who helped create a fun nighttime campout world.
A “pep tent” was in the corner, bats were hanging on one wall, and the kids sang old-fashioned camping tunes (remember “Head, Shoulders, Knees and Toes”?), and heard wonderful tales from guest readers Betsy Taylor, Riley Taylor Dillinger and (home on leave from the U.S. Coast Guard) Zach Taylor. Older kids helped with singing, as well as performing a glow-in-the-dark version of Tinikling, a popular dance from the Philippines. Also in Wednesday;s program LeBeau and Stitz were joined by Phil LeBeau for a musical trio, and middle school student Addie Kruse delighted all with a vocal solo.
Youngsters, clustered on the floor (on the Story Hour rug) and on moms’ laps, all sang, clapped, and listened intently to the stories. Every child who checked out a library book at the end of the program was also given a special small pocket flashlight.
According the Library Director Pam Trammell, 163 attended Wednesday’s program.
“Next week were going to have a ‘pajama party’,” said Trammell. “So wear you’re pajamas!”
The theme for next Wednesday’s program is “Pajamarama!” and kids are, indeed encouraged to were their pajamas to the library. The program will begin at 11 a.m., Wednesday, June 27. The summer reading program is free and open to all.
Parents and other adults should be advised that parking is available on Park Lane as well as in the historic Old Gym parking lot adjacent to the library.
Photo Above: Young Walker Jarrell enjoyed his time at "We're Going on a Campout" - the Summer Reading Progra event on Wednesday at the Keller Public Library. (ShowMe Times photo by Annabeth Miller)
