Holly Lauer described her life in West Africa as a Peace Corps volunteer in Benin to 15 rapt children and their parents at the library July 13 as part of the library's summer reading program "Explore Other Worlds."
Reading program soars
By Nan Shnitzler
Friday, July 30, 2004
Storytime! regulars at the Bolton Public Library might not have recognized Phil Whalen in his colorful African outfit complete with matching hat. Mr. Phil, the children's librarian, wore a costume that came courtesy of Holly Lauer of Main Street, dressed similarly in African batik. Lauer described her life in West Africa as a Peace Corps volunteer in Benin to 15 rapt children and their parents at the library July 13 as part of the library's summer reading program "Explore Other Worlds."
The program encourages children from ages 3 to 10 to fly around the world on the wings of books. Sponsored by the library, Friends of the Library and Massachusetts Regional Library Systems and Board of Library Commissioners, the Explore Other Worlds program offers reading lists, activities, talks and prizes for participation through August 20. The program has been popular with children and parents alike, said library Director Kelly Collins. "It's been great, interesting and entertaining, and exposes children to cultures they wouldn't normally encounter," she said. "We're grateful that residents have been willing to share their experiences outside the four walls of Bolton."
Lauer's talk was the second of six planned. As children examined such African artifacts as a braided grass belt, woven basket and wooden figure, Lauer said that women are the foundation of the African household. They provide food, clothing, health care and education, while men provide the house. Women go to the market to buy and sell, and they keep their money safe and handy, tucked in a belt pouch she demonstrated that matched her traditional dress.
Lauer offered a lesson in third-world etiquette. "Always hand something to someone with your right hand; do you know why?" she asked. Heads shook. It has to do with going to the bathroom, she explained. There is no running water in a latrine-type bathroom, so people cannot wash their hands. "The left hand is the dirty hand," she said.
African appliqué tapestries hung on the walls to inspire the children with their activity, making fabric pictures. Bags of multi-colored felt, strings, ribbons and beads were turned into collages the children could proudly take home.
Upcoming countries include Switzerland, accompanied by samples of birchermuesli breakfast cereal by Edith Ablavsky of Wattaquadock Hill Road on July 28; India, by Anjali Kartha on August 4; Japan, with an origami activity by Przemek Kawka of South Bolton Road on August 11; and Denmark, along with - what else? - authentic Danish pastry by Susan Juul of Golden Run Road on a date to be announced. The first talk, England, by Michelle Pramuk and Sharon Johns, was presented June 29.
It is easy to get youngsters started with the Explore Other Worlds program, Collins said. Sign up at the library for an information packet with instruction sheet, reading log, discount coupon to a local attraction, bookmark, list of incentive prizes and the presentation schedule. In the library's children's room, flags from Africa, Australia, Brazil, China, Denmark, France, India, Israel, Japan, Mexico, Poland, Russia, Switzerland and Vietnam top reading lists for those cultures from books in the library's collection. Children can place labels on the countries they read about to show how far they have traveled, just by reading.
As children read, Collins said, they should record their books and reading times on the log sheet. After an hour of reading, logged in 15-minute increments, they are eligible for a prize - while supplies last. They simply bring the log to the librarian for a necklace, puzzle, slinky or light-stick, depending on the amount of reading time logged up to August 20. Even very young children can participate by having their parents or caregiver read to them. But only children are eligible for prizes.
