One World, Many Stories...Adventures in Summer Reading at the Local Library

It should surprise no one that both Angela and Alice are enrolled in our local library's summer reading program.  Mom is a book geek after all.  Knock on wood, it seems like both girls are following in their Mama's footsteps.  At the Christmas Tree Shop yesterday, Angela actually squealed for joy and clapped when we entered the kiddie book section. 

We are in week three with their respective reading clubs.  So far, Alice has a kazoo and a little click camera to show for her reading efforts.  Angela is the proud owner of a rubber duck and a blow up mini beach ball for hers.  Both girls love stories, so doing the 15 minutes a day of reading is not an issue.  I have to say, however, the thought of prizes is definitely an added incentive. 

In addition to the reading clubs, the library also offers several all ages programs.  Since the theme of this year's summer reading program is "One World, Many Stories", each all ages session highlights some aspect of various world cultures.  Thursday's offering centered on instruments from Africa and various Caribbean nations.  The presenter/musician was a very enthusiastic African gentleman dressed in cultural attire.  He obviously LOVED music and kids.  He showed and named all the instruments he brought with him and performed using them.  I expected Alice to be interested but Angela (as every two year old is) was the wild card.

Well, I think she caught the presenter's contagious joy.  Every note he played was met with a squeal of complete and utter joy from Angela.  She relished dancing with her sister and other children and particularly loved the African version of "Simon Says" that the gentleman performed.  You should have seen Angela shake her grove thing when he commanded "Shake your hips from the left and the right."  After he introduced and demonstrated all the instruments, he divided the audience into two groups and gave each child a chance to play an instrument with him.  As each group performed, I marvelled at how his strong lead made his motley bands actually sound good.  He even had simple instruments for his younger audience members (read: Angela).  She loved performing so much that she refused to give back her instrument and performed on and off with the gentleman for the remainder of the performance.  He was very good natured about the whole thing.  I think he appreciated her enthusiasm for his performance.  The adult members of the audience also were amused, and a little surprised I think, by Angela's joy.  It was one of those moments when I wished I had my video camera with me.  I particularly felt its absence when Alice decided to stretch out on her stomach during a dancing break.  Angela straddled her sister like a horse, draped her body over Alice's back, and wrapped her arms around Alice's neck.  A little boy on his mother's lap watched this unfold as I did.  He seemed confused by it and asked his mother, "What is she doing to her?" 

His mother replied, "She just loves her sister very much."

I smiled at the mom's explanation.  "That she does," I thought to myself as I watched my duo start to dance together again.  I  wonder what will be their stories as they grow up.  Their love for each other seems like it will be a constant theme woven through them.  I think, perhaps, there will also be an African drum circle somewhere in Angela's.