Summer of Reading Kicks Off This Month
Lineup Includes Top Hogs And Teen Werewolves
By Becky Corning, Librarian, Pauline Robinson Branch
Kids and teens who participate in Summer of Reading can not only prevent the “summer slide,” but can also earn prizes and see fun performances.
At Pauline Robinson Branch, our Summer of Reading performances this year include Top Hogs, Puppets and Things on Strings with Mark Hellerstein, and perennial favorite Ann Lincoln.
Park Hill Branch events will include Teen Werewolves of Miller’s Hollow, Too Fit to Quit with the Denver Zoo, and Tarot Card Readings with Sterling Moon Tarot.
This year’s Summer of Reading themes are:
• Birth-Preschool: Read with Me
• Kids (K-fifth grade): On Your Mark, Get Set, Read
• Teens (sixth-12th grade): Get in the Game: Read
The program begins Wednesday, June 1 and runs through Saturday, Aug. 13. Last day to register is June 30.
Prizes will include books, rubber duckies, tickets to Elitch Gardens amusement park, coupons for free meals from Chipotle, backpacks and wallets.
To register, kids should come in to any Denver Public Library Branch on June 1 or later. (Online registration is not available.) They can pick up their reading brochure to track hours of reading, and also a schedule of events.
Event listings are also available on our website. Go to www.denverlibrary.org/events and enter “summer of reading” in the keyword box.
Library Events: June
Pauline Robinson Branch Library
Preschool Storytime | Wednesdays June 1, 8, 15, 22, 29, 10:30 a.m.
Stories, songs, rhymes and fun for 3-5 year olds and their parents or caregivers.
How to Find a Job & Create a Resume for Teens | Thursdays June 2, 9, 30, 1 p.m.
This one-hour workshop will help you identify transferrable skills, look for job openings, and create a draft resume to land a job.
Top Hogs of the Wild West | Tuesday, June 7, 4 p.m.
An amazing, comedy-filled, trick-pig show that is action-packed and fun for the entire family.
Mini Early Literacy Fair with If Not You, Then Who? | Wednesday, June 8, 10:30 a.m.
Join us for one hour of literacy fun! A variety of activities that focus on the early literacy skills (READ, WRITE, TALK, SING, PLAY) will be available for exploration. Program is geared toward ages 6 months – 5 years and their caregivers.
Embossed Copper | Thursday, June 9, 5:30 p.m.
Design your own embossed, copper greeting card, perfect for any occasion. Choose from a variety of templates, layout possibilities and techniques.
Anime Club | Saturday, June 11, 3 p.m.
Anime watchers, Manga readers and Anime Lovers alike come join us the second Saturday of the month. Watch, read, talk, act, eat and breathe Anime and Manga! For grades 8-12.
Computer Basics: Getting Started | Monday June 13, 12 noon
Learn the basics of using a computer and practice using a mouse. No computer experience required. Space is limited; please call the library at 720-865-0290.
The Man of 1,000 Songs with Rob Wivchar | Tuesday, June 14, 2 p.m.
Using vocals, acoustic guitar and harmonica, The Man of 1000 Songs will present children’s classics, Disney tunes and classic rock.
Aromatherapy Potions with Moondance Botanicals | Thursday, June 16, 2 p.m.
Learn how to create custom blends and make a body/room spray and a sugar scrub to take home. For teens in grades six and up. Limited to 15 participants; call to register.
Strength in Numbers with Dave and Connie Elstun | Monday, June 20, 2 p.m.
Two magicians equals twice the magic and double the fun. Master magician Dave Elstun and comedic magician Connie Elstun present a family comedy show about working together.
Puppets & Things on Strings with Mark Hellerstein | Thursday, June 23, 2 p.m.
Mark Hellerstein presents a ventriloquist program of comedy, music, and storytelling. Meet Winston Worm, as he narrates Jack and the Beanstalk and Pansy, the lovable baby chimpanzee. Watch a drawing come to life right before your eyes.
The Pauline Robinson Book Club | Saturday, June 25, 12 p.m.
This month’s selection: Go Set A Watchman by Harper Lee. Drop-ins are welcome.
Balloon Ping-Pong and Homemade Trail Mix | Wednesday, June 29, 2 p.m.
Create your own balloon ping-pong game – and trail mix to keep you fueled for all of the slow motion fun! Limited to 20 participants; call to register.
Park Hill Branch Library
Sewing Lounge | Saturday, June 4, 10 a.m.
Have a project you want to work on, but don’t have a sewing machine? No problem, use ours. Grab your supplies and head on over. We’re here to answer your questions.
Exploration Centers | Monday, June 6, 10 a.m.
Engage your child in play that helps strengthen motor skills, social skills and encourages early literacy. This drop-in play session is recommended for children 12 months – preschool with their adult caregivers.
MoonDance Botanicals for Teens | Tuesday, June 7, 6 p.m.
We will brew an aromatherapy blend to take home! For teens in grades 6 and up. Seating is capped at 20, so arrive early!
Birds of Prey with Hawk Quest | Wednesday, June 8, 3 p.m.
Discover the importance of different raptor species, their specially-adapted tools and their role in our ecosystems. We will bring an eagle, hawk, owl, and falcon. No registration required.
How to Feed the Future | Wednesday, June 8, 6:30 p.m.
In a world plagued by food insecurity, innovative technology is vital in attaining a dependable and affordable food supply. Dietitian and Nutrition Consultant, Mary Lee Chin, will share with us the important relationship between nutrition, agricultural and environmental sustainability, and how innovative food production technologies will address how to feed our future.
Marble Run | Friday, June 10, 3 p.m.
Using recycled materials, craft sticks, hot glue and your engineering skills create an awesome marble run. Recommended: children and adult attend together, children 4th grade and up are welcome to attend on their own.
Magic Club | Monday, June 13 and Monday, June 27, 4:30 p.m.
Are you a Teen in grades 6-12? Do you already play Magic: the Gathering, or are interested in learning? Join us two Mondays a month to play and meet other Teens who are also Magic-Minded.
North of 50: $ecure Colorado | Tuesday, June 14, 4 p.m.
Investment fraud targeting seniors has become a huge problem. The 55+ population loses a minimum of $2.9 billion every year, and for those who are already retired, these losses are nearly impossible to recoup. In response, the Colorado Division of Securities has developed the $ecure Colorado campaign, to instruct you on the risk factors of financial fraud, how to spot and stop fraud and what to do if you’re victimized.
Teen Advisory Board (TAB) | Tuesday, June 14, 6 p.m.
Teens ages 13 and up are invited to join the Park Hill TAB. Help plan library events and projects at the Park Hill Library, talk about your favorite books, and make your opinion count.
Too Fit To Quit with Denver Zoo | Wednesday, June 15, 3:15 p.m.
Some of the zoo animals think they have the best super skill to help them survive. Meet these animals and decide who is the most fit. Let the competition begin! No registration required.
Blooming Readers 4th/5th Grade Book Club | Thursday, June 16, 3:30 p.m.
Unicorns vs. Goblins: Another Phoebe and Her Unicorn Adventure by Dana Simpson
Activity: Meet the author!
Father’s Day Crafts | Friday, June 17, 3 p.m.
Kids can come to the library and make gifts and a card for Father’s Day. Recommended for K-5th grade, younger children welcome with an adult.
No Strings Attached Book Discussion Group | Saturday, June 18, 11 a.m.
Read whatever you want and attend whenever you can. Share a recent read, an old favorite, or anything in between.
Genre Chat 2nd/3rd Grade Book Club | Tuesday, June 21, 3:30 p.m.
Stink and the World’s Worst Super-Stinky Sneakers by Megan McDonald
Activity: Decorate a key chain and eat stinky cheese and crackers.
Up in the Air with Peter Davison | Wednesday, June 22, 3 p.m.
Award-winning juggler, dancer and kinetic comedian Peter Davison brings ordinary objects to life. No registration required.
Ambrosial Greek Food with Monica Kadillak | Wednesday, June 22, 6:30 p.m.
What is it about Mediterranean food that makes it so delicious and good for you? Take a culinary journey to the shores of Greece in your own kitchen. Learn tips and tricks, sample some delicious examples and take home recipes that will have you saying, Opa!
One Pool Noodle = 3 Crafts | Friday, June 24, 3 p.m.
Given one pool noodle you’ll make three different crafts: a pool noodle tennis racket, a pool noodle pom-pom shooter, and sailboats. Recommended: children and adult together, children 4th grade and up are welcome to attend on their own.
Coloring for Grown Ups | Saturday, June 25, 2 p.m.
Come for a nostalgic hour of coloring – in or outside the lines. Use our supplies to unplug and color your way to serenity.
Tarot for Teens with Sterling Moon | Tuesday, June 28, 6 p.m.
Learn about the mystery and mythology surrounding tarot’s history and get a basic overview of the cards and how to do a reading. For teens in grades 6 and up. Seating is capped at 10, so arrive early.
Time Travel Trunk | Wednesday, June 29, 3 p.m. and Friday, July 1, 3 p.m.
Come see historical Colorado images in 3-D through a stereoscope, start your family tree, use a working telegraph kit to type your name in Morse Code, and dress up our American Girl Dolls as you read about their lives in Denver 100 years ago. Recommended for all ages – children and adult attend together.
Author Megan Carnarius | Wednesday, June 29, 6:30 p.m.
Megan Carnarius, author of A Deeper Perspective on Alzheimer’s and Other Dementias: Practical Tools with Spiritual Insights, will discuss the different stages of dementia and highlights practical aspects, suggesting accessible tools for caregivers, family and professionals alike. She will also address the more subtle, spiritual dimensions of this illness with much compassion and understanding, offering new insights into hitherto little explored areas.