From the library: ‘Catch the Reading Bug' this summer at the library

This will be a week of "metamorphosis" for local children as the school year ends and the summer reading program at the Grand Island Public Library begins -- all on the same day!

Library staff and a group of enthusiastic volunteers have been working hard to prepare a program boys and girls will find not only intriguing but lots of fun as they spend their summer learning about -- BUGS!

The program, "Catch the Reading Bug," will kick off at 7 p.m. Thursday, for the convenience of families and again at 10 a.m. Friday, so that daycare and preschool students and teachers may attend.

Jeff Quinn, a magician from Omaha, will bring his always-thrilling magic show to both sessions and will challenge children to read to figure out how he performs his very "buggy" tricks. There will also be time for children to sign up for library cards, pick up summer reading packs, register for writing classes and the Special Reading Event, and browse the children's collection for books that will get them started on their summer reading lists.

Programs for children of all ages will be offered in the library every weekday through July 25. All programs start at 10 a.m. and last about 45 minutes. Additional programming for boys and girls is provided by Bookmobile staff as they travel throughout the county each day. Event calendars for both children and teens are available at the library as well as a schedule of Bookmobile stops at day cares, nursing homes, parks and other neighborhood sites.

Live insects will be part of many programs this summer so children can observe firsthand how they can be both friend and foe. For example, they will see and even hold huge live insects from Southeast Asia, observe the life cycle of a variety of garden insects and learn how to care for pet bugs. They will discover how bees make honey and sample some sweet treats and learn how to be a shutterbug how to jitterbug and how to draw cartoon bugs. They will also make bugs at craft day each week and meet some lovable bug characters from literature at preschool story times and in movies each week.

Summer Reading Program special events include a visit from the "Amazing Arthur "of Omaha and his sister, the international star, "Poppin' Penelope," who attempts to amaze audiences with a variety of talents ranging from juggling to magic and much more.

Children will sing along with Tom Cornwall during his acclaimed children's act, "Bugsongs," and enjoy a performance from The Rose children's theater of Omaha. Actor Michael Wilhelm will return to the library to portray several wonderful wolf characters from children's literature in "The Big (not so) Bad Wolf," a program that both children and adults will enjoy.

Girls and boys in kindergarten through third grade may sign up for the Special Reading Event set for 10 to 11:30 a.m. July 7-11 and July 14-18. This is designed for children who "wish or need" extra reading opportunities and enjoy reading with friends. Volunteers from the community will visit the library each morning to work with small groups of children, helping them with reading and fun reading activities.

Many absolutely beautiful books about insects have been added to the children's collection this year. Who can resist reading to discover what "Exploding Ants," by Joanne Settel is all about, or "Bizaar Bugs," by Doug Wechsler, with pictures you will have to see to believe. If you survive these, you are ready for "What's That Bug!" by Nan Froman, and "Bug Faces," by Darlyne Murawski, containing photographs from the National Geographic Society.

For more information or to register children for writing classes or the Special Reading Event, call the library at 385-5333.


Merry von Seggern is the children's librarian for the Grand Island Public Library.