Program 6: "CATCH THE READING BUG" Finale!

On Tuesday, July 22nd at 10:30 AM, 30 children and 9 adults were entertained by special guest, OKLIN BLOODWORTH. Singing, dancing, jumping and skipping, the audience thoroughly enjoyed the final program. The Strathmore audience formed a centipede and traveled "in and out" the library isles to the tune of "THE ANTS GO MARCHING!". After receiving a snack, the children took part in a final awards ceremony. 5 perfect attendance awards were given, 22 completed reading-record awards were given, 10 children brought guests and all received achievement prizes.

Final statistics:

78 individual children registered for the program. The total attendance was 203, including adults, with an average of 36 per program.

Special thanks to: The Friends of the Strathmore Library and The Friends of the Tulare County Library System for snacks and prizes: to volunteer, Yvonne Duran for her help with the stories, snacks and prizes, and to all of the parents for bringing the "Reading Bugs" to all of the programs! We had a great summer! Strathmore Library will be holding a "Read-a-thon" after this coming Christmas and before school begins again in January! Check with the librarian assistant for more details! Have a great time for the remaining summer vacation!

Program 5: "THE SPIDER IS NOT REALLY AN INSECT"

On Tuesday, July 15th at 10:30 AM, 16 children and 4 adults learned about the spider. Stories: Eric Carle's, THE VERY BUSY SPIDER, (flannel story) and Doreen Cronin's, DIARY OF A SPIDER, were the featured stories. Puppet, THE OLD LADY WHO SWALLOWED A FLY,
also entertained. Spider facts and games were included in the program. Children chose their favorite insect as prizes were awarded for reading accomplishments. After the kids enjoyed frozen "bug juice", they made a moving spider on a web plate. Although the group was small everyone enjoyed the individual participation.

OKLIN IS COMING!

On Tuesday, July 22nd at 10:30 AM, special children's entertainer, OKLIN BLOODWORTH, will be at Strathmore Branch Library. You won't want to miss the GRAND FINALE SUMMER READING PROGRAM. Oklin will have you singing, skipping and jumping to his famous animal and inspirational music and songs. Prizes for reading accomplishments, perfect attendance and special recognition will be given. No one will go home empty handed! Bring a guest and get ready to have some fun! Welcome all "READING BUGS"! See you there!

Program 4: "The Good, the Bad and the Ugly" - Insect Communities

30 Children and 9 adults learned about teamwork on Tuesday, July 8th at 10:30 at the Strathmore Branch Library. The "ant" and "bee" communities were featured as stories, THE BEE TREE by Patricia Polacco and flannel story, LA HORMIGUITA were read. THE BUG'S LIFE song, "High Hopes" highlighted the power and determination of the ANT. There were many children who received prizes for completing their reading records. Our "Reading Bug" wall is looking good! All received "magic bee pollen" for being great listeners. The frozen "bug juice" was greatly appreciated as the temperature outside was soaring. Everyone loved making his/her own ladybug refrigerator magnet.

The next program will be held on Tuesday, July 15th at 10:30 AM at Strathmore Branch Library and will feature the "Spider". Come be entertained by THE OLD LADY WHO SWALLOWED A FLY, Eric Carle's, THE VERY BUSY SPIDER, Doreen Cronin's, DIARY OF A SPIDER and much more. Come on out and meet all the Strathmore READING BUG children. We always welcome one more! See you soon!

Program 3: "The Good, the Bad and the Bugly!"

On July 1st at 10:30 AM, 19 children and 6 adults attended the 3rd program at Strathmore Branch Library. We all celebrated our nation's up-and coming birthday. We read, Eric Carle's, "The Grouchy Ladybug" and were entertained by THE BUG'S LIFE: LADYBUG! Sheriff LADYBUG and his deputy formed a posse to help arrest "the bad bugs" and we put them in the local "bug jail". Reading awards and prizes were given out. After snack, the children made a "ladybug" hand puppet.

Next Tuesday, July 8th at 10:30 AM, come join us for more of "The Good, the Bad and the Bugly". We will be learning about several insect communities and reading Patricia Polacco's, THE BEE TREE and audience participation flannel story, LA HORMIGUITA and singing flannel story, OVER IN THE MEADOW. Reading achievement awards will be given. We will be having "frozen bug juice" for snack and making refrigerator magnet insects. Come on over and join in the fun!

Program 2: Strathmore children learn all about metamorphosis!

On Tuesday, June 24th, 27 children and 8 adults enjoyed learning about metamorphosis with Eric Carl's: THE VERY HUNGRY CATERPILLAR. "HERMAN THE WORM" was action- packed and everyone did "CATCH THE READING BUG". The hanging butterfly necklace was fun to make and everyone munched-out on worm-garden pudding and drank bug juice. We all had a wonderful time!

Program #3, to be held on Tuesday, July 1st at 10:30, will feature "THE GOOD, THE BAD AND THE BUGLY!" Eric Carle's "The Grouchy Lady Bug" will be our featured story and
sheriff "Lady-Bug" will be our featured "hero-of-the-day"! You will all be deputized to join in our "hunt for the bug-villains" posse. We will also celebrate our nation's up-and-coming birthday! Lady-bug hand puppets will be the "craft of the day". So, come on out to Strathmore, "pardners" and share in a fun time for all. Hope to see you there!

Program 1: Strathmore kids enjoy backyard safari!

34 children and 11 adults were present at the "kick-off" program on Tuesday, June 17th. After going on a bug hunt, SAM'S SANDWICH grossed everyone out and THE WIDE MOUTH FROG entertained all. Bug facts, fact and fiction were presented. Kids made their own "bee journal" for creating their own observations or insect stories.

The second program will be held on Tuesday, June 24th at 10:30 in the morning. The subject is "METAMORPHOSIS: CHANGE CAN BE GOOD". Herman the Worm will entertain and The Very Hungry Caterpillar and The Butterfly Garden will be featured. You'll dance and sing to "The bug's Life", I JUST WANT TO FLY. You'll be served "bug garden" pudding and bug juice for snack. So...if you like worms and butterflies, don't miss the next SUMMER READING SESSION at Strathmore. You might even "Catch the Reading Bug".

Strathmore summer reading begins Tuesday June 17th at 10:30 AM. Come join in the "buggy" fun this summer and learn how to:

"CATCH THE READING BUG"

We will be making a bee journal and learning all kinds of interesting facts about insects and

discovering "WHAT'S IN YOUR BACKYARD". So bring yourselves, a great love for reading and a big imagination, and we'll have a wonderful and informative summer together!