Three Summer Reading Program Events

            The Summer Reading Program has been a blast at the Calhoun County Library this year with educational, fun-filled performances.

On Thursday, June 22, 2023, Porkchop Productions visited the library to perform the play Imperfect Strangers: The Ant & The Grasshopper. During this play, personalities collided when a hard-working ant and a lazy grasshopper found themselves in a living situation that was too close for comfort! This new, reimagined adaptation taught the important lessons that hard work pays off...and teamwork makes the dream work! Everyone enjoyed the performance which was engaging and hilariously funny!

On Thursday, June 29, 2023, origami master and storyteller, Yasu Ishida came to the library. Yasu taught everyone about traditional Japanese theatre and music and then everyone got the chance to make origami animals. Yasu integrated magic and storytelling as he guided us to the enchanted land of Japan. Origami animals were a huge hit! Folding paper according to Yasu’s instructions allowed us to create origami in the shape of dogs, frogs, and foxes. We even have some of them hanging in the children’s section of the library now! Come and take a look at our origami mobile!

On Thursday, July 12, 2023, Tim Sonefelt put on a magic show through storytelling. All about friendship and being kind, Tim’s program incorporated books featuring honesty, loyalty, and friendship with others who might be different from us. Before the show was over, a special guest came out. Larry the Duck made an appearance and created many laughs just being silly. Tim amused the crowd with his talent as a ventriloquist. Through magic, stories, book talks, and a puppet, Tim Sonefelt had everyone smiling!

All three of these shows were absolutely wonderful, educational, and entertaining and everyone attending had a great time. Kids took part in collective crafts where children worked together to make a finished craft such as handprint leaves on our trees in the forest or origami animals for our origami mobile in the children’s section. After each show, every child went home with a free book and a snack.

Don’t forget to document your time reading in the Beanstack app to be entered to win prizes that will be announced at the Summer Reading Program finale next week on Thursday, July 27, 2023, at 10:30 AM. We have special guests, the Ukaloonies, coming to our summer reading finale to play and sing with us! There is still time to enter and pick up your milestone prizes too!

This project is made possible by a Library Services and Technology Act grant from the Institute of Museum and Library Services administered by the South Carolina State Library.