Children’s Program – Story Time
As we transition from summer to fall, we want to reflect on the “Read for the Win” Summer Reading Program (June 1 to July 18) at the Idyllwild Library, which was a lot of fun and enjoyed by many of our local children as well as numerous visitors. Check the Idyllwild Library’s Facebook page for photographs and videos of our summer events and story times for children: https://www.facebook.com/IdyllwildLibrary
We want to thank all of those who participated in the summer reading program and wish to recognize the following people who gave their time and energy to help make it such a success:
- Hub Cyclery, Brendan Collier and his crew for their bike safety course at our summer reading kick-off event.
- “Anime Your Way” with master cartoonist Carlos Nieto was a big hit and attendees learned step-by-step how to create their favorite characters.
- If you haven’t seen this summer’s video production of “Take Me Out to the Ballgame,” it can be viewed on the Idyllwild Library’s Facebook page. A big thank you to Wendy Watts for coordinating this project along with the large staff of people who made this video production possible.
- Rachel Torrey for her “Let’s Play Baseball” story time as well as her assistance with the baseball video and other events.
- Mary McDonnell, Idyllwild School Preschool Teacher had the children very involved with Native American lore and authentic Native American games.
- We were so pleased that Amanda Allen, Idyllwild Nature Center Interpreter, visited for a special story time about local animals and their various adaptations to the San Jacinto Mountains.
- Tawny Harrington and the ninjas (Kilo and Mecino Harrington) entertained the attendees with a staff demonstration and meditative flute songs.
- It was wonderful to have Tony White visit the library again this summer. His advice about wilderness survival was both practical and entertaining.
- Our end of summer party with comedian Ramon Medellin’s Abraca Wacko Magic Show involved a lot of audience participation.
- For the summer evening programs we want to thank Kent and Jana Steele for their presentation of “Journey of an Idyllwild Kid to the PGA Tour” and Mary Metcalf for sharing her cycling experiences.
Our Thursday afternoon family events (Cupcake Checkers, Giant Jenga, and Super-sized Candy Land) were very successful. A big thank you to those volunteers who helped with these events as well as other summer activities: Carol Mendoza, Gail Speigel, Karrie Morlan, Abby See, Sage See, Don and Sally Hedberg, Robert Righetti, and Erin Righetti.
Most importantly, all of these events brought many children and their parents into the library and encouraged a lot of summer reading.
On Tuesday, September 13, we’ll celebrate Roald Dahl’s 100th birthday. One of the world’s most recognizable children’s story tellers, Dahl has written more than twenty-one books for children. We will create a fun and educational event at the library about Roald Dahl for everyone to enjoy. In addition, some of the fall story times will include “The Signs of Autumn” with singer Katie Burd, and “It’s Apple Pickin’ Time,” “Whooo’s There?” (about owls), “Down on the Farm,” “Pumpkin Patch,” and “Teddy Bear Day.” Once again in October, we plan to have the Idyllwild Fire Department visit the library in order to observe Fire Prevention month.
We are pleased to welcome our newest volunteer story time reader: vocalist, songwriter, and graphic artist Jen Hajj. She is a very talented story time teller and has worked for the Salt Lake City Zoo’s school outreach program. Thank you, Jen, for joining our story time team.
Don’t forget about some of our other children’s special events and activities at the library, i.e. the early literacy program “1,000 Books Before Kindergarten” as well as the “Friends of the Library $5 Gift Certificate” for local area newborns and their parents to redeem at the FOL Bookstore. Be sure to tell friends and family about these entertaining and informative programs and look for upcoming activities and events as well.
Thank you Friends of the Library for your continuing support of the many children’s programs we bring to our local community.
Susan Righetti, Children’s Program Coordinator & Mary Zimmerman, FOL Children’s Program Liaison
