Penguin Cake Decorations

Alle-Kiski Valley libraries open world to young readers

Kids can see the world for free this summer, all without leaving the library.

All it takes is a big imagination and an armful of books.

A dozen libraries in the Alle-Kiski Valley will present summer reading programs, many under the theme "One World, Many Stories."

Kids can make and launch rockets, learn to draw castles, watch a magic show and even see a South African penguin this summer during programming at Peoples Library in New Kensington.

"We're going to be traveling because the theme is One World, Many Stories," said Mary Wesolek, the library's coordinator of youth services. "Through books and through websites, you can go anywhere in the world."

The first stop on the itinerary is Ireland. Older children can make a castle at the library, then will be asked to make another one at home out of any material they choose. The library board will pick the most original and most creative, and the winner will receive a gift card to GameStop.

New Kensington's programming also includes family events at 10:30 a.m. each Friday. The first, on June 24, will carry on the Ireland theme with a bagpiper and a castle-shaped cake, plus water balloons and games from the TV show "Minute to Win It."

Australia, China and South Africa will also be featured during the summer program.

The more books children read during the summer, the more rewards they earn, Wesolek said.

Apollo Memorial Library's program will allow children to explore Kenya, China, Russia, Australia and Greece through books and crafts.

At weekly sessions, children will listen to a story read aloud and make crafts featuring that week's country, said library director Tina Zins.

They'll head to Kenya for the first week.

"The kids will be making an African mask," Zins said. "And we'll have handouts of facts of the country. We'll have the flags that they can decorate for each country."

During China's featured week, older children will make paper dragons, and younger kids will make pandas. Another activity will allow children to practice their chopstick skills by using the wooden utensils to pick up cotton balls and place them in a dish.

Springdale Free Public Library's program will feature a speaker each week, and programming will feature Germany, Spain, Morocco, China, India and Hawaii.

"We also purchased books just for the summer reading program," said Patti Wise, children and young adult librarian. "We have a whole new collection, plus we've pulled collections off the shelf that we already have related to geography.

CL's Guide to Music for Your Summer Road Trip : College Lifestyles

 “I Gotta Feeling,” Black Eyed Peas.

 A party song to end your journey there, wherever there is!

Debra Schreiber is a senior at Duquesne University where she studies journalism and Spanish. She loves cake decorating, the Pittsburgh Penguins, the television show So You Think You Can Dance, hitting the gym, and her lovely Alpha Sigma Tau sisters!

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