LOCAL ANIMALS VISIT THE LIBRARY!

On Wednesday morning, we had a wonderful time getting to know some local farmers and their animals.  We tried to assemble the types of farm animals that our children will be sending to families overseas via Heifer Project International, and boy, did we have fun!

Tim and Dana from Purgatory Falls Alpaca Farm in Lyndeborough brought "Romeo" and "Casanova" to meet the kids---they were sooooo soft, and they loved to eat carrots! Thanks to a "Friends of the Amherst Library" gift, in memory of Kathy Wilkins Rios, we will be able to help Heifer Project provide an alpaca to a deserving family in South America.

Lin L'Heureux and her husband Moe brought two of their beautiful hens to visit---our children earned enough to provide 5 flocks of chickens to families overseas!  By the way, Lin is trying to organize a local 4-H club (as a former 4-H'er, Miss Sarah is enthusiastically supportive--it's where I learned all about gardening, goats, chickens, sewing.....!)  If you're interested, you can email Lin at NH4H@live.com for more info.

Local high-school student Victoria Chistolini, of Pheasant Hollow Farms,  brought an observation-hive with real live honeybees! The kids were fascinated---they've earned enough to send 4 beehives overseas.  Miss Sarah was thrilled to find a source of fresh, local honey!

Ellen Zorawowicz is also a beekeeper--she is a fount of interesting information, and brought the "tools of the trade" to show to the children. They loved getting their "hands-on" demonstration....

...and they loved dressing up in the gear!

A MAGICAL MORNING WITH NORMAN !

A capacity crowd turned out this Wednesday to see the amazing magical tricks of Norman Ng.  We ooh'd and ahh'd, laughed, cheered, and had a GREAT time!

Norman shows us the "Rope Trick"!

Just reach into my bag of tricks!!!

Everyone take a bow!

Steve and Marty come to play!!!

"Let's get ready!!"

The Children's Room is ready---it looks so big and empty when all the bookshelves have been moved out---but it's going to fill up soon!!It's Wednesday, July 27, and we're getting ready for another fun morning at the Amherst Town Library!  Here are Steve Blunt and Marty Kelley (and Marty's son, Alex) getting ready to sing and play!! We can hardly wait!

Steve and Marty get us singing right away!

"Read around the world!!!"

 

This room isn't empty now---it's full of families having fun!

We love to sing along!

Here's the Kids Percussion Band!!!

Thanks for a great show, Steve and Marty!!!

Steve and Marty get us up and jumpin'!!

CURIOUS CREATURES AT THE LIBRARY!

Big Al the alligator (we're glad he wore his muzzle!)

It may have been a hot, hot, day outside, but it was cool in the Children's Room as we gathered for a visit from Mr. Sean and his "Curious Creatures".  We were introduced to animals from as far away as South America, Africa, and Burma: a chinchilla, a tortoise, a python, and more! Mr. Sean was endlessly patient as we all took turns holding and petting the animals---boy, that python was heavy, and the tarantula's feet felt like they were made out of rubber!!!

"His feet feel like they have little rubber pads!"

Mr. Sean shows us how to wear a python!

"How many kids does it take to hold a python????"

"It's HEAVY!!!"

Odds Bodkin, Storyteller Extraordinare!

 We were so lucky to have Odds Bodkin come to visit us, and share his storytelling magic!  Kids and adults alike were enchanted----

 

Speaking of storytelling magic, make sure to come to Baboosic Lake(at noon)or to the Farmer's Market on the Town Square(at 3:00) on Thursdays---you'll get a chance to listen to Miss Sue read some of the magical books that we have here at the library!

SUMMER READING IS HERE!

 

Hola!!

Well, it's official---we have hundreds of Amherst children signed up, and they're doing lots of summer reading! Miss Sue and Miss Sarah are just loving all the visits we're getting from our school-aged patrons.  It's so nice to have a chance to talk to you all about the books you're reading (and about the summer fun you're having!)
Miss Sarah will be telling stories (and teaching a song or two) from MEXICO this week--so be sure to come in and join us on Thursday morning at 10:00!---Next week, it will be stories and songs from China.
If you're enjoying the day at Baboosic Lake on Thursday, be sure to look for Miss Sue at noontime---she'll be there with stories to tell! She'll also be at the Farmer's Market at 3pm, so if you miss her at the lake, come and hear some stories on the Town Green.
This morning, we had a visit from Mr. Keith of the Peterborough Players, who read some excerpts from the book Stuart Little, and some passages from the play that is based on the book.  Peterborough Players are performing Stuart Little during the month of July.
 Some of the kids in the audience were so inspired by the talk of the theater that they decided to make up a play and perform it right here in the Children's Room! A great time was had by all!

LINEUP OF SUMMER READING ACTIVITIES !

Believe it or not, the end of the school year is just around the corner, and that means that the time for SUMMER READING is almost here!
We have lots of things planned for the summer, from movie matinees to magicians, from make-your-own  crafts to storytimes at Baboosic Lake with Miss Sue! Here's the full lineup:  

Storytimes

Drop in anytime your schedule permits!

Baby Listeners  Newborn—age 2: 10:00 am on Tuesdays, July 5 - August 16

Stories and Songs w/ Miss Sarah---a family storytime geared for kids ages 3-8 10:00am on Thursdays, July 7 to Aug. 11

Read to Miss Sue and Miss Sarah

Sign up for a 15 minute time slot for some one-on-one reading time.

Friday afternoons from 2:00-3:00

Storytime at Baboosic Lake with Miss Sue

Pack a lunch and head on down to the town beach for some stories by the water.

Thursdays at 12 noon.  From July 7 to Aug 11, weather permitting.

Stories at the Farmer’s Market

Let the kids listen to stories while you shop for fresh local produce!

Thursdays at 3pm.  From July 7 to Aug 11, weather permitting.

 

Matinee Movies : 2pm on Tuesdays---July 5 to Aug. 16

Drop in to watch a movie on our big screen!  The library is dry on a rainy day and cool on a hot day!  Bring your water bottle and a pillow, we'll provide the popcorn! All movies rated either G or PG---check our website for listings.

Whoopie! It’s Wednesday!---Family Event Series from July 6 to Aug. 10

Every Wednesday at 10:30am, come to the Children’s Room for a fun-filled performance.  No registration is necessary—come to one, or come to them all!  Here’s the line-up:

July 6---Peterborough Players—a dramatic reading from their summer production of Stuart Little by members of the cast.  If you like it, you can travel to Peterborough to see the entire play! Recommended for children ages 4 and up.

July 13---Odds Bodkin— Award winning master storyteller and musician, Odds Bodkins will share his stories and talents in an audience participation program full of great stories and adventures.  Recommended for the slightly older child of 5 and up.  A remarkable and entertaining performer. 

July 20---Curious Creatures— Live critters from around the world! 

An educational program designed to be fun and interesting with an emphasis on teaching respect and appreciation for all animals. 

July 27---Steve Blunt and Marty Kelley--- This award winning team of musicians and authors are always a fun time.  Join Steve and Marty for songs and stories from around the world.  Fun for all ages.

Aug. 3---Norman Ng--- Come prepared to be AMAZED and ASTOUNDED!  A wonderful hour- long show of magic and tricks that will leave you wondering 'how did he do that?'  This hugely talented magician is back by popular demand.  Recommended for the slightly older child, 5 and up.

Aug. 10---Petting Zoo--- Local farmers will share their animals in this hands-on learning experience, highlighting the kinds of animals our Summer Reading Program's efforts will allow Heifer Project to purchase. Among the animals we will have a chance to learn about are sheep, chickens, bees and goats. Fun for all ages, weather permitting.

Make-it/Take-it Craft

Materials and instructions will be available all summer long at our Make-it/Take-it craft table.  Each week a             different call!raft will be provided---see if you can make them all!