By BRYNNE MCMURRAY
Moapa Valley Progress
Local children at the Moapa Valley Library branch got a whiff of fresh air this week as the library Summer Reading program encouraged kids to explore “The Great Outdoors.” The Friday story time hour had a camp theme this week.
The event opened with kids making their own “night skies” in bottles in the yard on the side of the library. The kids picked up empty mini water bottles and filled them with glitter, sequins, and gems before the librarians carefully helped them pour baby oil and water into the bottles. The children were then able to pick out what color they wanted their night sky to be. The librarians helped them to pour food coloring into their bottles. The bottles were sealed with colorful duct tape and decorated with stickers to make a swirling night sky for each child.
Once everyone had a night sky of their own, the kids were invited to come into the story time room to read some fun camping stories. However, before the librarians started reading, they gave each kid a “s’more bag” with pretzels, marshmallows, and chocolate chips that the kids could snack on for the rest of the program.
The book that they read was “A Camping Spree with Mr. Magee” by Chris Van Dusen, and read by librarian Naomi Harris. The book had the kids laughing at the crazy adventure.
“My favorite part was in the book when the bear tried to eat the marshmallows,” said summer reader Sarah Muhlstein.
After the book, the kids were in the mood to go camping themselves. So librarians Naomi Harris and Christina Earon led them through a camping trip song (to the tune of “we’re going on a treasure hunt) about s’mores, stars, and camp fires.
However, the trip got interrupted when librarian Katie Muns burst into the room with a bear puppet to eat all the snacks. The kids had to rush back to their homes to finish the program.
“I just like that the program gives my kids motivation read a book,” said parent Kara Lewis. “It gets them out of the house and has them participating in all sorts of cool activities. They get to meet a lot of new friends, and they look forward to it every week!”
The summer reading program is winding up. Children and teens alike are encouraged to turn in their summer reading slips and bookmarks to get all sorts of cool prizes.
The last program will be held on Friday and will feature all sorts of cool summer magic including free shave ice from Tiffany’s, a balloon wizard, and all sorts of water games. Everyone is encouraged to come and take part in the grand finale of the 2016 Summer Reading Program!
