Donned in true cowgirl fashion, including hat, boots and even a quirt, Karen Quest treated her audience of children and adults to a true trick-rope rodeo show at Gilroy Library on June 17.
Karen Quest—Cowgirl Tricks has entertained at fairs since 1998 and “it just keeps on going,” Quest said. She started performing at libraries five years ago, and they have become some of her favorite shows.
“It’s up close, it’s personal, it’s intimate,” Quest explained.
Sharon Kelly, children’s supervising librarian, decided Quest’s one-woman show would be a perfect fit for the library’s summer reading theme for children and pre-teens: Every Hero Has A Story.
“Karen is a strong, independent, intelligent woman, and we want to see all our girls grow up and become brave leaders and lifelong learners,” Kelly said. “And what a way to celebrate that.”
When Ivy Wight, 5, and her grandmother found out about the upcoming cowgirl show when she visited the library with her grandmother the day prior to the event, they immediately made plans to attend. “I was excited,” Ivy said.
Quest was equally excited about the turnout of her show.
“I loved the kids, and I loved the parents,” Quest said. “I was really impressed by the amount of parents that were here. I try and craft the show for everyone; it’s a family show.”
Heather Vlcek, her children, Jeremiah, 10, and Kathleen, 7, and mother-in-law Mary Ann Vlcek attended the summer reading programs last year and decided to take part again this year.
“The kids are totally entertained for an hour, and it didn’t cost anything,” Heather Vlcek said. “And it brought us to the library and let us check out books.”
The summer reading program at Gilroy Library runs through Aug. 31 and gives a free book to each child who signs up. The program then presents 25 reading challenges to participants. When they’ve completed all 25, the readers receive an additional free book.
Quest sent a bibliography of suggested reading to the library. Here is a sampling of her recommended reading.
“Hannah Mae O’Hannigan’s Wild West Show” by Lisa Campbell Erns; ages 4-8
“Giddy Up” by Jarrett J. Krosoczka; ages 6-8
“Cindy Ellen: A Wild Western Cinderella” by Susan Lowell; ages 4-8
“Waynetta and the Cornstalk: A Texas Fairy Tale” by Helen Ketteman (author) and Diane Greenseid (illustrator); ages 4-7
“Nellie Sue, Happy Camper: An Every Cowgirl Book” by Rebecca Janni; ages 6-7
“Even Cowgirls Brush Their Teeth” by CJ Machado; ages 5-8
“Little Britches and the Rattlers” by Eric A. Kimmel; ages 6-8
“The Great Texas Hamster Drive” by Eric A. Kimmel; ages 6-8
“Rebel in a Dress: Cowgirls” by Sylvia Branzei; ages 8 and up
For more information about Gilroy Library’s upcoming free events go to sccl.org/Locations/Gilroy.
Morgan Hill story time sets strong foundation for lifetime of reading
The Activity Room of the Morgan Hill Library filled with excited and smiling children and adults on June 18, as they do every Thursday morning for Preschool Storytime.
The children hurried in and immediately claimed their spot on the floor, most positioning themselves directly in front of Lewis Sievers, children’s librarian and official storyteller.
“It’s a lot of fun, for sure,” Sievers said of story time, adding that parent reactions are always positive. “They appreciate the program, and the kids enjoy it.”
Guzel Hermann, mother of 5-year old Safira, enjoys the reading time program so much that she’s recommended it to her friends.
“I like the mix—books, reading, songs and dance,” Hermann said.
The sea of smiling faces during a sing-along or dance, as well as story time, are proof positive that the mix of entertainment venues is a winning combination.
Nicole Yam decided to introduce her son Benjamin, who turns 3 this week, to Preschool Storytime for children ages 3-5. A regular attendee of Toddler Storytime, geared at kids from 18 months to 3 years old, Yam felt Benjamin was ready to transition to the preschool group.
“I like this one, too,” Yam said, adding that the short movie shown at the end of the session was her favorite part.
Children’s Supervising Librarian Saralyn Otter feels the early reading programs are great learning experiences for children and their parents. “It gives parents take-aways,” Otter said, explaining that the learning tools used in story time can easily be incorporated at home for continued motivation and education.
The story time sessions, which Otter says have been in existence “forever and ever,” compliment the Santa Clara County Library district’s promotion of pre-reading skills.
The SCCL’s brochure, “Every Child Ready to Read,” available at all county libraries, highlights five practices for strong skill building for preschool aged children.
1. Talking with your child about what you read together
2. Listening to songs
3. Reading together
4. Scribbling and drawing
5. Pretend playing
Library staff reading recommendations include:
Lewis Sievers loves children’s author, Mo Willems, the creator of the “Knuffle Bunny” series and many others.
Tamara Palmer, librarian, loves children’s author Annie Kubler, creator of the popular book “Head Shoulders Knees and Toes.” She feels her books promote finger-play and rhymes, which are good foundations for early learning.
For more information about free events offered by the Morgan Hill Library, go to sccl.org/Locations/morganhill/.
