Dormont Library Summer Reading Program

2011 Summer Reading Children’s and Young Adult Program Line-up

Theme: One World – Many Stories

Please call the library to register for any of these great programs.

To join the reading club and receive great prizes for what is read, you simply have to stop in the library and sign-up. It takes 5 minutes and we hope to see you! You don’t have to be registered for our reading program to attend the following special programs that we feature during our Summer Reading weeks.

Saturday, June 18, 11 AM: Kick-Off Party (All Ages)

Join us for our Summer Reading Kick-Off Party, featuring a special presentation of “City of Steel: An American Melting Pot,” performed by Odyssey.

Our region was built by ethnic groups from all over the world, who brought their music, food, and traditions with them. Odyssey’s City of Steel takes you on a musical exploration of Pittsburgh’s different cultures in the time of the steel mills and coal mines. This talented quartet—Janice Coppola on clarinet, RJ Heid on percussion, Laura Daniels on keyboard, and Phil Van Ouse on tuba and accordion—brings us the music of England, Ireland, Scotland, France, Slovakia, Germany, Hungary, Poland, Russia, Greece and Italy. The program features a rousing close with two Pittsburgh composers, Stephen Foster and Billy Strayhorn.

Wednesday, June 22, 10:30 AM: Where The Wild Things Are (Preschool-2nd Grade)

Presented by Gateway to the Arts. Travel with mischievous Max through thick forests and stormy scenes to the tropical island where the Wild Things live! Rebecca Covert uses dramatic play, creative movement and puppetry to explore Maurice Sendak’s timeless picture book, Where the Wild Things Are.

Wednesday, June 29, 10:30 AM: Bee Bim Bop (Preschool-2nd Grade)

Presented by Gateway to the Arts. Musician Jeff Berman leads children through the rhymes and refrains of this fanciful book by Linda Sue Park that captures the delight of a child as she helps her mother prepare a traditional Korean dish—bee bim bop!

Saturday, June 30, 7 PM: Family Movie Night (All Ages)

Join us for a screening of “People,” an animated feature that takes young Cara and her grandfather on a journey of imagination that brings them face to face with the wonderful variety of people around the world.

Popcorn and drinks will be provided by the library.

Tuesday, July 5, 7 PM: Arabic Night (All Ages)

Learn about Arab culture through stories, dance, and costumes, and learn how to write your name in Arabic.

Wednesday, July 6, 10:30 AM: John Henry (Preschool-2nd Grade)

Presented by Gateway to the Arts. Amir Rashidd brings this legendary folk hero to life with railroad work songs of the era. This steel drivin’ man was big, strong, fast, and fearless, but can he beat the railroad boss’ steam drill using only his hammers and amazing strength?

Wednesday, July 6, 7 PM: Polish Night (All Ages)

Learn about the folklore, sample a movie, and learn about the culture from a local native of Poland.

Thursday, July 7: Spanish Fiesta! And Bilingual Storytime (All Ages)

Traditional Latino food is on the menu for our Spanish Fiesta! Also, enjoy a selection of stories in both Spanish and English.

Monday, July 11, 7 PM: Tail Waggin’ Storytime (K-5th Grade)

Read stories to some very special trained dogs! Dogs provided by Therapy Dogs International.

Wednesday, July 13, 10:30 AM: Tacky the Penguin (Preschool-2nd Grade)

Presented by Gateway to the Arts. Travel to the ends of the earth and make friends with Tacky, a very unusual penguin. Em Harpp-Meulbroek takes you on a tour of Tacky’s home with his companions as they fight off unwanted company. Children will love this interactive telling of a great story about being true to yourself as they chant, clap and make sound effects.

Thursday, July 184, 7 PM: Turkish Cultural Night (All Ages)

Join the Turkish Cultural Center of Pittsburgh as we learn about the foods, culture and music of Turkey.

July 18, 19, 20, & 21: Science in the Summer (Grades 2-6)

Grades 2-4: 10:00 AM

Grades 4-6: 11:30 AM

This year’s Science in the Summer program will introduce children from 2nd through 6th grades to the exciting world of chemistry. Through hands-on experiments, young chemists will learn what matter is and that it’s not always the same. They will observe physical and chemical changes with fun experiments like turning pennies into gold, making crystals, and watching raisins and popcorn “dance.” Students also will decide if substances are acids, bases, or neutrals by using pH papers and a universal indicator.

Each session of this program will last approximately 45 minutes. All children who register must attend all four sessions. Parents must also read an information sheet and sign a permission slip for their child to attend.

Wednesday, July 20, 10:30 AM: The Great Kapok Tree (Preschool-2nd Grade)

Presented by Gateway to the Arts. Take a trip with Alison Zapata to the Amazon Rainforest as she tells the tale of this beautiful fable of interdependence in the rain forest. During this story time session, we will learn about this ecosystem as it comes alive with a hissing snake, chattering monkeys and squawking birds.

Thursday, July 21, 7PM: Craft Night (All Ages)

Decorate a Chinese Paper Lantern to take home. Space limited to 24 youths.

July 24-30: BOGO Week

During the final week of the Summer Reading Program, each book you read counts double!

Monday, July 25, 7 PM: International Covered Dish Dinner (All Ages)

Families are invited to bring traditional foods representing their cultural heritage to our covered dish dinner. Any kind of food is welcome: appetizers, snacks, entrees, or desserts. Please make sure to bring enough of each dish to serve 10 to 15 portions. If you are interested in attending, please give us a call at 412-531-8754 so we can coordinate what everyone is bringing.

Wednesday, July 27, 10:30 AM: So Say the Little Monkeys (Preschool-2nd Grade)

Presented by Gateway to the Arts. Pack your bags because we’re traveling deep into the rainforest to meet some playful, yet easily distracted, monkeys! Storyteller Rebecca Covert will explore this vibrant and silly Brazilian tale using dramatic play and toe-tapping musical refrains.

Saturday, July 30, 11 AM: Closing Party (All Ages)

We’ll be wrapping up the Summer Reading Program with our Closing Party, featuring two special guests

At 11 AM, Master Hans H. Nam of Nam’s Martial Arts Center will be visiting the library with his students to give a martial arts demonstration. Master Nam is a sixth degree black belt in Tang Soo Do, Tae Kwon Do, Hap Ki Do, and Kum Do.

From 11:45 to 12:30 PM, Brother Strawberry the Balloon Man will be on hand to create his amazing balloon sculptures. You may have seen some of his balloon flowers decorating our front desk, now get your own!

July 30 is your last chance to get credit for books you’ve read during the program, so don’t miss it!