We have a great reason to play some music and dance! We have an author of many award-winning books, Matt de la Peña, visiting this week! He will be our guest at a Junior Lit Chat on Tuesday, September 13, from 4-5 p.m. at the Mandarin Branch Library. Registration information is here. Come spend time with Matt as he talks about his latest work, what his writing process is, and engage in a Q&A session to get to know him better. We also hope you'll attend a program this week to enjoy some music and dance with us!
#READ: Flor and Miranda Steal the Show by Jennifer Torres
Miranda is the lead singer in her family's ranchera band, Miranda y los Reyes. When her family is offered the chance to perform on the side stage as part of Mr. Barsetti's traveling carnival, they jump at the opportunity to hit the road. Now their band has a shot at playing in front of their biggest crowd yet. Will Miranda make it a performance to remember?
Questions to think about while you read:
- How are Flor's and Miranda's lives similar? How are they different?
- Flor wants to make sure her family's petting zoo stays a part of the carnival, but is her plan the right way to do it? Why or why not?
- Miranda (Randy) enjoys performing but is tired of singing the same song lineup day after day. How does she try to introduce new songs? Does it work?
#PLAY: Experiment with rhythm!
Use your library card to download this album from Hoopla, and make the maracas below and shake them to the rhythm of the music!
#EXPLORE: Make Maracas
Supplies:
- Two small plastic bottles with caps, cleaned and labels removed
- Two toilet paper tubes
- Funnel
- 1 cup dried rice
- 1 cup dried beans
- Scissors
- Masking tape
- Optional: few rolls of Washi tape
Instructions:
- Use the funnel to add rice to one of the bottles. Put the cap on and give it a shake; if you want to, add more or less rice to change the sound.
- Use the funnel to add beans to the second bottle. Adjust the amount for the sound you like, and put on the cap.
- Use scissors to cut a slit lengthwise along one side of each toilet paper tube.
- Wrap the toilet paper tube around the lid of the bottle—this will be the handle.
- Use masking tape or Washi tape to tape the toilet paper tube to the bottle, and continue wrapping to the end of the toilet paper tube.
- If desired, use Washi tape to wrap around the bottles to decorate them.
- Your maracas are ready to shake to the music!
From PlayKids
NOTE: to make super simple, quick maracas, put rice and beans in plastic eggs and tape closed.
#JOIN: Attend a program virtually or in person!
View all school age programs and events offered this week.
For virtual programs, registration is required to receive the Zoom link; use the link in the program information to register.
For in person programs, registration is required; if space allows, walk-ins will be admitted. Use the link in the program information to register.
