Sherman Theatricks Traveling Players performed “Stone Soup” at the Van Alstyne Library Thursday evening, July 16.  As usual, the very creative performance involved lots of audience participation. 

Children in the audience became the pot in which the stone soup was cooked.  Others eagerly shouted out advice and directions to the players. 

Attending a performance by the Theatricks Traveling Players is not a spectator sport – the audience gets totally involved.  We hope to have many more opportunities to see the Traveling Players in action.

The Van Alstyne Library’s own Readers Theater group performed “The Little Old Lady Who Was Not Afraid of Anything” at the final summer reading program on July 20. 

Performers were India James, Kassie Keeton, Justin Keeton, Jaret Keeton, Lucy Frazier, Antoinette Frazier, Sarah Frazier, and Grace Ratcliffe.  Altha McKinney was director and narrator.

Monday July 20 was the finale for the library’s summer reading program, “Libraries: Deep in the Heart of Texas.”  Many thanks to Robin, the CreatureTeacher, who brought a selection of interesting animals to introduce to children.  A guinea pig, chinchilla, praying mantis “walking stick”, giant cockroach, boa constrictor, and lorakeet were among the guests she introduced to children.  After the show, all the children lined up eagerly for a chance to pet the chinchilla. 

Texas Reading Club Certificates were awarded to more than 60 children who participated in the library’s summer reading activities.  Children who read 25 books, those who participated in the Bluebonnet Reading Club, participants in the Readers Theater, and young volunteers who helped with children’s programming had their names entered in the drawing for two MP3 players.  Winners were India James and Justin Keeton.  All children in attendance at the final program took home a free book. 

Any successful library program depends heavily upon the volunteers who make it possible. The library thanks the following for all their wonderful help this summer:  Dalton Hayes, Sharon Hayes, Adrianne Clark, Luke Boren, and Rachel Boren.  Without you it would not have been possible.  Bethany Lewis was a fine moderator for the Bluebonnet Book Discussion Club for children 3^rd – 5^th grades.  Blanca Scroggins was excellent as presenter of the Bilingual Story Time in June.  Thank you Altha Mckinney for directing the Reader’s Theater in July.  Thank you Jordan Locke for volunteering to help with presentation of the Wednesday Story Time.  Thanks to all the children who participated and the parents who attended with them.