Bradford children travel the country through books

BRADFORD – The John B. Curtis Free Public Library completed another successful summer reading program. This year the children “traveled” around the country visiting states such as Virginia, Georgia, Texas and Hawaii.

At each gathering, the children listened to stories about the state, sampled nutritious snacks and took part in a craft activity. They ate Georgia peaches, made pink flamingos from Florida, built Hawaiian volcanoes and made Kansas sunflowers.

They listened to stories about “Hot Air Henry,” celebrating the Hot Air Balloon Festival in New York State, “Iva Dunnit and the Big Wind,” representing the Midwest and “Gila Monsters Will Meet You at the Airport,” about Texas. Attendance for the program averaged about 30 children.

“We had a great time,” said librarian Brenda Mowdy. “We even presented leis to each of the children when we ‘went’ to Hawaii. It was fun for all of us.”

The summer reading program was made possible by grants from the Samuel and Rose Rudman Trust administered by the Maine Community Foundation and the Maine Nutrition Network’s Summer Library Grant Program.

“Small rural libraries depend heavily on these grants in order to provide quality programs” said Mowdy. “They help pay for supplies, snacks, books and busing to bring the children to the library. We are so grateful to these sponsors.”

And what’s in store for next year? “We’re going around the world,” said Mowdy.