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Library Puppet Show Urges Kids To Read

By STEPHANIE BUNKER

Moapa Valley Progress

Piggie the pig, played by puppeteer Judy Fioti; and Gerald the Elephant, played by Erin Collins; entertained local children during a special library program held at the Overton Community Center. PHOTO BY STEPHANIE BUNKER/Moapa Valley Progress.
Piggie the pig, played by puppeteer Judy Fioti; and Gerald the Elephant, played by Erin Collins; entertained local children during a special library program held at the Overton Community Center. PHOTO BY STEPHANIE BUNKER/Moapa Valley Progress.

Gerald the Elephant and Piggie the Pig made an appearance at the Overton Community Center on Tuesday, June 21. The Clark County Library District (LVCCLD) hosted the puppet show for kids in the community.
The goal was to encourage kids to participate in the Club Read summer program.
“If the kids don’t read during the summer they go back in reading level, or stay the same,” said LVCCLD Use Services Manager, Shana Harrington. “But if they keep reading during the summer they can advance above their reading level.”

The story of Gerald and Piggie come from a series of popular books in schools and libraries. Harrington said these books are are instantly recognizable by the kids.
Erin Collins and Judy Fioti, who work at the library district’s Whitney branch came up with the puppet show featuring the elephant and the pig. The two have been going around to all 25 of the library branches entertaining children all over southern Nevada. Harington said that the kids just love the puppet show.

Collins dressed up as an Elephant and entered the room from the back while saying hello to all the children that were sitting on the floor. Soon after that, Piggie the puppet played by Fioti appeared. But at first Piggie pretended to be a frog.
After some dialog the group sang “Old McDonald Had a Farm,” while several farm animal puppets popped up to sing along.

It wasn’t long before Piggie showed up again with a Birthday invitation in his mouth. The elephant and pig prepared for the party but after they were all dressed they were disappointed to find out the party wasn’t going to be held until next week.
So instead they held their own “Chicken Dance” party. The kids had fun participating in the “Chicken Dance.”

All the dancing led Gerald into a fit of sneezing, calling the sheep doctor puppet on stage. The group then sang the “Sneezing Song.” They ended by playing the Best Friend game.
The group emphasized the importance on reading through the summer by reminding the kids to join the library program, Club Read so they can read books and get prizes.

Another highlight to the afternoon was the puppet crafts. All the kids got to cut out their own Piggie or elephant and glue it onto a paper bag creating their own puppets.

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