Friedericks
As a child, I did not experience the phenomenon that is fall break.
I’m not sure if this is because I grew up in Ohio, or if it just wasn’t done in the ‘80s and ‘90s. Even though my son is now 13, I feel like I’m still getting used to the idea of fall break.
Like most middle-class families, we don’t have the money or PTO to go on vacation for every single school break. Sometimes we need to get creative and bring the world to our family, when our family can’t travel to see the world. From living room campouts to virtual reality tours of world monuments, or day trips to museums and zoos, our family has explored far beyond the reaches of our gas tank.
If your family is planning on a staycation this year, we hope you’ll join us at GPL as we bring a part of the world to you! This year we’ll be traveling from Africa to Antarctica within the walls of the library as we discover the world of penguins.
Has your child ever camped out in the Animals section of the Kids Department? Does your family share my family’s unwavering enthusiasm for Sandra Boynton’s board book classic, “Your Personal Penguin?” Or maybe you’re more of a “Mr. Popper’s Penguins” fan?
When you visit a zoo or aquarium, do you find it hard to pull yourself away from the penguin habitat?
If so, GPL is the place to be the week of Oct. 14. We’re kicking the week off with a visit from none other than a real, live, African penguin from Newport Aquarium. The WAVE Foundation’s WAVE On Wheels program partners with Newport Aquarium to bring animal ambassadors to communities throughout the region.
Families will get a chance to see (not pet) an African penguin up close, as they learn all about the adaptations that have helped these animals survive in the wild.
At the end of the week, join us for penguins and popcorn as we enjoy a showing of the film “Mr. Popper’s Penguins.” What happens when a successful businessman inherits a passel of penguins that soon take over his apartment and his life? Find out in this hilarious movie based on the classic children’s novel.
Stop by the Kids Department throughout the week to enjoy even more penguin and polar-inspired fun. Play like a penguin in Fable’s Den, the Kids Department’s spot for creative play. Exploration Stations, our early literacy and sensory space, will join in on the fun as well. And of course, we’ll feature a special penguin-themed scavenger hunt.
As always, kids can enjoy pretend play on GPL Main Street, STEAM-related fun on our light wall, ball run and magnetic wall, as well as choose from a full menu of toys and board games to play with during your visit.
If your child would like to learn more about penguins, or read books featuring penguin characters, be sure to stop by the Kids Help Desk for recommendations. Some of my favorites include “365 Penguins” by Jean-Luc Fromental, the Spy Penguins series by Sam Hay, “Pierre the Penguin” by Jean Marzollo, “A Penguin Named Patience” by Suzanne Lewis, and “Chasing Guano: The Discovery of a Penguin Supercolony” by Helen Taylor.
Meet a Penguin begins at 2 p.m. on Oct. 14, and our showing of “Mr. Popper’s Penguins” is at 2 p.m. on Oct. 18. Drop-in activities will be available in the Kids Department throughout the week of Oct. 14.
More details and registration information can be found on our website at www.greenwoodlibrary.us.
Katie Friedericks is a kids services librarian at Greenwood Public Library. GPL staff members share in writing this bi-monthly column for the Daily Journal. Send comments to [email protected].
