Claudia and Tommy entertain the kids

Kids having fun at library

By Leigh Anne Butler

Claudia the puppet hippo set her eyes on a young fellow at the Tallassee Community Library that she would like to be her boyfriend.  The preschool age children attending the summer reading program last Wednesday morning erupted into laughter as she continues to tell him how cute she thinks he is.

Claudia, along with several other funny friends, joined entertainer Tommy Johns Wednesday when he presented a fun program, “I Love to Read,” to children participating in the library’s summer reading program – “Build a  Better World.”

Conner Coburn, a five-year-old Tallassee boy laughed and said, “I really liked the hippo.  She was so funny!”

Johns entertained the children with puppets, games, magic and good, old-fashioned humor while encouraging the children about the importance of reading.  “I love my job,” Johns told a parent after the program.  “It sure does beat working for a living.”

Johns is only one of several programs the library is offering youngsters this summer.  Each week the library is providing entertainment, crafts, story time and prizes all with one objective - for the children to read and have fun this summer.

Margaret Lumpkin, director of Tallassee Community Library, was pleased to announce that during the first week of the summer program, 739 books were read.  “We had over 100 children sign up this year,” she explained.  “The kids are doing an awesome job!  It’s not too late for others to come out and enjoy the library and the program.”

Jason Glenn, and four-year-old daughter Gracie, check out books as part of the summer reading program

The summer program is free for participants.  To sign up, a family member must have a library card/account with the Tallassee Community Library that is current and free of fines.  All children participating in the program will be given a prize pack at the end of summer.  First, second and third place prizes will be awarded at the conclusion of the program to the readers in each age group who read the most books. 

“I don’t know how to read yet,” Conner Coburn said, “but my brother Evan reads to me.”  Evan, who is seven-years-old, goes on to explain, “I just get more books for him.”

Aiden Coburn, the boys’ ten-year-old brother said, “I have been reading the "Captain Underpants" books.  I liked reading the books and then getting to see the movie that is playing now.  That is always fun.”

If you would like to participate in the summer reading program, you can visit the Tallassee Community Library at 99 Freeman Avenue across from City Hall or call Lumpkin at (334) 283-2732 for more information. 

Different topics are featured every Wednesday at 10:30 a.m. (Ages 2-5), 1:30 p.m. (Ages 6-9) and 3:00 p.m. (Ages 10-13).

Remaining Schedule
June 28 – Save the Earth (Crafts)
July 5 – Save the Oceans (Crafts)
July 12 – Bill Packard Magic, Yarbrough Animals
July 19 – Prizes for Everyone
July 26 – Wet Pizza Party on City Hall Green (*Starts at 1:30 p.m.)

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