Category Archives: Events

Summer Reading Program week five

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Big thanks to Casey’s for the donation of 50 frozen treat coupons!  The first 50 kids to pick up their packets this week (starting Monday at noon) will get a free treat!

Our theme this week is everyday heroes.  It’s a good time to think about who you admire and how you can be a hero yourself.

Additional Resources:

Pre-readers:

Week five with Marguerite and Penny

Five Green and Speckled Frogs song

Readers:

Week five with Marguerite and Penny

Who Was book printable lesson plans and activity sheets

Teens and Tweens:

Week five with Marguerite and Penny

Want to add to your city?  Download more templates.  Build Your Own City challenges

 

Summer Reading Program Week Four

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It’s week four!  This week our theme is royals and knights.  There are lots and lots of great books on that topic, so now’s a good time to check them out.

Additional Resources:

Pre-readers:

Week four with Marguerite and Penny

Here are some sing-along versions of this week’s songs:

Frere Jacques

Are You Sleeping, Brother John?

Mahurdeeysaa

Readers:

Week four with Marguerite and Penny

Fun Facts about Royals

Teens:

Week four with Marguerite and Penny

More marshmallow and toothpick building challenges

 

Summer Reading Program Week Three

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Welcome to week three!  Can you believe we’re almost half-way done?  This week we’re doing some projects related to mythology and tall tales.  Do you have a favorite?

We do still have some week two packets.  Look in the box behind week three.

Additional Resources:

Pre-reader:

Week three with Marguerite and Penny

Want to give your Little Red Riding Hood some friends?
Little Red Riding Hood, wolf & woodcutter crafts

Hey Diddle Diddle song

The Itsy Bitsy Spider song

Reader:

Week three with Marguerite and Penny

Anansi the Spider book read aloud

Anansi the Spider old time animated video

There are lots of examples of gnome and fairy gardens online.  Here are a few tutorials that might be helpful if you decide to make one.

Gnome garden for kids video

How to make a fairy/gnome garden

13 fairy garden tips

Teen:

Week three with Marguerite and Penny

These aren’t exactly the same as our solar distiller project, but very close:

Solar distiller from large and small bottles

Solar distiller from a bottle and a can

Solar distiller from several bottles

 

 

Summer Reading Program Reading List

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We hope you are all enjoying Imagine Your Story.  If you’re looking for books of fairy tales, myths, talls tales, wizards, princesses and imagination, we hope you will appreciate this list by book type.  These are all books we have in our library.  Come in and check them out!

 

Board Books

Barton, Chris.  Shark vs. Train.

Bentley, Dawn.  Ten Tiny Fairies: A Fairy Tale Counting Book.

Brett, Jan.  The Mitten: A Ukrainian Folktale.

Runnells, Treesha.  Ten Wishing Stars.

Saltzberg, Barney.  Beautiful Oops!

Soman, David.  Ladybug Girl Dresses Up!

Wells, Rosemary.  The Itsy-Bitsy Spider.

 

Picture Books

Braun, Eric.  Pecos Bill Tames a Colossal Cyclone.

Brett, Jan.  Cinders: A Chicken Cinderella.

Bruchac, Joseph.  The First Strawberries: A Cherokee Story.

Burleigh, Robert.  Flight of the Last Dragon.

DePaola, Tomie.  Strega Nona: An Old Tale.

DiPucchio, Kelly.  Dragon Was Terrible.

Disney.  Walt Disney’s Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs.

Forest, Heather.  Stone Soup.

Garland, Michael.  Miss Smith’s Incredible Storybook.

Gay, Marie-Louise.  Any Questions?

Hoberman, Mary Ann.  Very Short Tall Tales To Read Together.

LaRochelle, David.  The End.

Long, Ethan.  One Drowsy Dragon.

Marshall, James.  Red Riding Hood.

McCourt, Lisa.  Granny’s Dragon.

Moncure, Jane Belk.  A Dragon in a Wagon.

Pichon, Liz.  The Three Horrid Little Pigs.

Prelutsky, Jack.  The Wizard.

Ray, Jane.  The Apple-Pip Princess.

Rubin, Adam.  Dragons Love Tacos.

Soman, David.  Ladyburg Girl and Bumblebee Boy.

Steptoe, John.  Mufaro’s Beautiful Daughters: An African Tale.

Thomas, Shelley Moore.  Take Care, Good Knight.

Tolhurst, Marilyn.  Somebody and the Three Blairs.

Tucker, Kathy.  The Seven Chinese Sisters.

Underwood, Deborah.  Interstellar Cinderella.

Willems, Mo.  Goldilocks and the Three Dinosaurs.

 

Early Readers

Blackaby, Susan.  The Ugly Duckling.

Conlon, Mara.  Dragon’s Pancake Party.

Disney.  Welcome to Royal Prep. (Sofia the First)

George, K.  Spark.

Kilgras, Heidi.  Cinderella’s Countdown to the Ball.

Low, Alice.  The Witch Who Was Afraid of Witches.

Meadows, Daisy.  Pet Fairies series.

Neubecker,  Robert.  Days of the Knights.

Schwartz, Alvin.  Ghosts!: Ghostly Tales from Folklore.  J ER 398.25 S

Winkelman, Barbara Gaines.  Pinocchio’s Nose Grows.

 

Chapter Books

Baker, E.D.  The Frog Princess.

Barnhill, Kelly Regan.  The Girl Who Drank the Moon.

Colfer, Eoin.  Artemis Fowl series.

DiCamillo, Kate.  The Tale of Despereaux: Being the Story of a Mouse, a Princess, Some Soup, and a Spool of Thread.

Ferris, Jean.  Twice Upon a Marigold.

French, Jackie.  My Dad the Dragon.

George, Jessica Day.  Dragon Slippers.

Hale, Shannon.  The Princess in Black.

Healy, Christopher.  The Hero’s Guide to Saving Your Kingdom.

Krulik, Nancy E.  Katie Kazoo, Switcheroo series.

Levine, Gail Carson.  Ella Enchanted.

Lewis, C.S.  The Chronicles of Narnia series.

Meadows, Daisy.  Jewel Fairies series.

Norton, Mary.  The Borrowers.

Osborne, Mary Pope.  Magic Tree House series.

Paolini, Christopher.  Eragon.

Riordan, Rick.  Percy Jackson & the Olympians series.

Rodda, Emily.  The Key to Rondo.

Ryder, Chloe.  Princess Ponies series.

Shulman, Polly.  The Grimm Legacy.

Sutherland, Tui.  Wings of Fire.

 

Juvenile Graphic Novels

Kibuishi, Kazui.  Amulet series.

O’Neill, Katie.  Princess Princess Ever After.

Ostertag, Molly.  The Witch Boy.

Powell, Martin.  The Elves and the Shoemaker: A Grimm Graphic Novel.

Sell, Chad.  The Cardboard Kingdom.

Sutherland, Tui.  Wings of Fire: The Graphic Novel series.

 

Young Adult

Adeyemi, Tomi.  Children of Blood and Bone.

Albert, Melissa.  The Hazel Wood.

Amerie.  Because You Love to Hate Me: 13 Tales of Villainy.

Cho, Kat.  Wicked Fox.

Delaney, Joseph.  Last Apprentice series.

De Lint, Charles.  The Blue Girl.

Froud, Brian.  Good Fairies: Bad Fairies.

Funke, Cornelia.  Inkheart.

Green, Sally.  Half Bad.

Hartman, Rachel.  Seraphina.

Meyer, Marissa.  Cinder.

Myers, Edward.  Storytelling.

Riggs, Ransom.  Tales of the Peculiar.

Van Risseghem, Kristin D.  The Masquerade, an Altar & a Fairy.

 

Juvenile Non-fiction

Finch, Mary.  The Three Billy Goats Gruff.  J 398.2 Fi.

Goble, Paul.  Buffalo Woman.  J 398.2 Go.

Hamilton, Sue.  Monsters.  J 001.94 Ha.

Kerns, Ann.  Wizards and Witches.  J 133.4 Ke

London, Martha.  Gnomes.  J 398.2 Lo.

Myths and Legends of North America: Canada and the Northern United States.  J 398.2 My

Resnick, Jane Parker.  Original Fairy Tales from the Brothers Grimm.  J 398.2 Re OVERSIZE.

Wizardology: The Book of the Secrets of Merlin.  J 133.4 Wi OVERSIZE.

Zelinsky, Paul O.  Rumpelstiltskin.   J 398.2 Ze.

 

 

Summer Reading Week Two

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Our all virtual summer reading program continues.  This week our projects are about storytelling and make-believe.

We still have a limited number of week one packets so if you couldn’t make it in last week, come on in.  We have ordered more supplies, so if you need a supply packet of crayons, scissors and glue stick, they will be available soon.  Remember, you will use these supplies all summer long and then they are yours to keep.

Additional resources:

Pre-reader:

Week two with Marguerite and Penny

Baa Baa Black Sheep on YouTube

Two Little Blackbirds on YouTube

Reader:

Week two with Marguerite and Penny

Not exactly the same as our project, but similar enough to be useful if you’re looking for inspiration:  Making a maze with straws on YouTube 

Teen:

Week two with Marguerite

Story Layers project from the Hirshhorn Museum

 

Summer Reading Program week one

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Welcome to Summer Reading Program 2020!

Remember that we are not doing in-person programs this year.   Refer to previous entry for more details.  Instead, each week there will be a new packets of worksheets, coloring pages, crafts and activities for pre-readers, readers, and teens.

Feel free to drop by the library whenever is convenient for you and pick up your packet from the entryway.  A few notes:

  • Please register by calling the library at 507-744-3977 or using this online form.  These registration numbers are important for us to plan and get funding.
  • Week one packets include a reading log.  These are to encourage you to read and have adventures all summer long.  Please do not return them to the library this year.
  • Week one packets also include a book.  Please choose your packet and book without opening the packet.  If you have questions about a book, ask a library worker.  The book is yours to keep!
  • Craft supplies packets are also available.  Please take one if you need it and plan to use it all summer.  Note that there are two types of scissors depending on your age.
  • You may want to wipe down the outside of the packet before opening.
  • Check out the videos below for more information and craft demonstrations.
  • When you have finished your crafts, we would love to see them.  Share in comments or on our Facebook or Instagram!

Additional resources

Pre-reader:

Week one with Marguerite and Penny

Hush Little Baby on YouTube

Reader:

Week one with Marguerite and Penny

Fire-Breathing Paper Roll Dragon Video
Note that this demo uses a hot glue gun.  If you choose to do so, please use a hot glue gun only with adult supervision.

Teen:

Week one with Marguerite and Penny

Easy origami rabbit video

Rabbit too easy?  Try this:

Origami dragon video

 

Summer Reading Program 2020

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Hello readers!  This year’s summer reading program is going to be different than the past, but we will be doing fun things, don’t worry!  We won’t have any big gatherings.  However, we will be producing online content and distributing packets with worksheets, crafts, coloring and other fun stuff every week!

FAQ:

How do we sign up?

You can call the library at 507-744-3977 starting on June 8th.  Or, if you prefer, sign up online here.  Please do register so we know how many kids are participating.

Will there be reading logs?

Yes.  We will include a reading log in your first weekly packet.  Or download a copy here.

reading log pre-reader

reading log readers

reading log teens

You can use this to keep track of your achievements.  However, the library will not be keeping track of your progress, so there’s no need to return the logs at any point.

Will we still be able to earn prizes?

Yes and no.  We won’t be giving out prizes based on how many tasks you complete.  The good news is, we will be distributing prizes in some of your weekly activity packets.  Everyone’s a winner!

Will you be having big events like the pizza party?

No.  We will not be doing any large gatherings this summer.

What about crafts and other activities?

Instead of gathering together to create crafts and work on other projects we will package up weekly kits with crafts, worksheets and other fun stuff arranged by age group.  You can pick up your kit at the library at a time that is convenient for you.  Please take only one packet per kid per week.  We encourage you to share your finished projects on our Facebook page.

What about craft supplies?

We will offer separate packets of crayons, glue sticks, and scissors that you can pick up anytime.  Crafts will include most of the items you will need.  A few projects may require some materials that hopefully you have at home (like flour or toilet paper rolls).

Which packet should I take?

There are three categories of packet and reading log: pre-readers, readers and teens.  We recommend pre-readers for 0-4, readers for 5-10 and teens for 11+.   This should help to assure that the materials are the appropriate level of interest and difficulty.

Will the library be open?

Yes, the library will be open for limited hours for browsing and pickup of materials and use of computers.  Social distancing will be in effect.

 

The Importance of Being Earnest discussion

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Hello book group and others,

I hope you have had a chance to read The Importance of Being Earnest by Oscar Wilde.  If not, you can get a free digital copy from Gutenberg.org.  Here are some discussion questions.  Feel free to discuss in the comments.  We also hope to have a virtual book group meeting.  If you are interested, please email lon_dir@selco.info.

Questions:

  1. Did you enjoy reading the play? Have you ever seen it performed in person or in a movie? What are the advantages and disadvantages to reading vs. viewing?
  2. Did the play make you laugh? Was there a particular incident or quote that really amused you?
  3. Why do both Jack and Algernon feel the need to invent Ernest and Bunbury? What do they gain?
  4. What does the aristocracy in Earnest value? How different (or not) are our values today than the Victorians?
  5. Lady Bracknell says, “Never speak disrespectfully of Society, Algernon. Only people who can’t get into it do that.” Is this statement true? Is it ironic that Lady Bracknell marries into society and quickly becomes its most vigorous defender?
  6. What’s up with all the food fights? Why are they humorous?
  7. Why are both Gwendolyn and Cecily so committed to the name Ernest? What does it have to do with their romantic idealizations?
  8. Do names really matter? Can you think of any examples from your life where a person’s name changed your opinion of them for better or worse?
  9. What is the importance of the city/country split? What qualities do city-dwellers usually have? How about country folks? Do these stereotypes work in Earnest?
  10. What do you think of the fight between Gwendolen and Cecily when they believe they are engaged to the same man? How do they say very harsh things within the limits of polite language? Do we still do this?
  11. Algy spends the play spouting outrageous statements. Do you think he means them or is he just playing the enfant terrible? To what extent is he a stand-in for author Oscar Wilde?
  12. Both couples are engaged after very little actual interaction. To what extent does each character create an imagined vision of their partner? Given that in the Victorian era matches were often arranged by the families and courting couples given very little scope to spend time together, are these engagements significantly different?
  13. “All women become like their mothers. That is their tragedy. No man does.  That’s his.”  Do you agree?
  14. Wilde uses several common literary devices, including mistaken identity, unlikely coincidence and the beloved happy ending. Are we meant to consider these ironically? Or is he simply giving us what we expect?

Characters:

John Worthing, J.P.
Algernon Moncrieff
Rev. Canon Chasuble, D.D.
Merriman, Butler
Lane, Manservant
Lady Bracknell
Hon. Gwendolen Fairfax
Cecily Cardew
Miss Prism, Governess

 

Earth Day

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It’s the 50th anniversary of Earth Day.  Remember, there’s no planet B so we had better protect the one we have.  Here are some great resources for celebrating the planet today and every day.

Earth Day has gone digital.  View events all day.

This NASA article reminds us of how lucky we are to live on this planet.

Also from NASA, Earth As Art, a breathtaking free e-book of photos.

One of the actions you can take is supporting our bees and other pollinators.  The University of Minnesota Extension offers help with making your garden pollinator friendly.

The Green Education Foundation has 10 steps to make the world a better place.

Test your knowledge of environmental issues with these quizzes from earthday.org.

FUN FOR KIDS

Explore the EPA’s Recycle City.

Coloring and activities help kids learn to be an energy star.

Learn about the Amazon the fun way with the Wild Kratts Amazin’ Amazon Adventure game.

 

TV Trivia

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UPDATE:  It looks like there were a few glitches in the initial release.  I apologize if you were marked wrong for a question you got right.  It should be fixed now.

Hello friends,

It’s our birthday week here at the library.  We’re 10!

We would like to be celebrating in person, but it’s more important to keep our neighbors safe. Still, we can have some fun together.  How about a TV trivia quiz?  We have questions by decade, so there should be something for everyone.  Be sure to visit us on Facebook to brag about your score!

 

TV Trivia: The 1960s

TV Trivia: The 1970s

TV Trivia: The 1980s

TV Trivia: The 1990s

TV Trivia: The 2000s