Imagination and fantasy - Library begins winter reading program

Read any good books lately?

The Cape Girardeau Public Library has plenty to suggest if you haven't.

The library kicked off its winter reading program for children and adults Monday. The program ends March 30.

The themes for all three are dragon-related and pictures and artwork of the creatures adorn the library's walls.

The largest dragon, which has no name, is a female, according to artist Taylor Crowe. Crowe drew dragons for the children's library and one near the reference desk. The dragons, in bright purple and green, look more like cartoon drawings than something frightening. Crowe said he tried to make the dragons seem friendly.

As children register for the free program, they can sign their name to a dragon that will be hung from light fixtures overhead.

A dragon theme

The children's theme, for ages birth to sixth grade is "Catch a Dragon by the Tale." The youth theme, for students in seventh through 12th grade, is "Make Reading a Hobbit" and plays off the popularity of the series by J.R.R. Tolkien and movie "Fellowship of the Rings" that is now in theaters.

Participants in the children and youth programs get a gameboard to track their reading progress. As they reach certain points on the board, they can earn extra incentives and prizes. The children who complete the program will receive a certificate, a paperback book and a chance at a grand prize.

Librarians compiled a list of suggested titles that includes stories with castles, knights and dragons. But any book checked out from the library will work, said Olympia McMackins, a librarian.

"The key is to keep them enthusiastic," said children's librarian Sharon Anderson. "School-age children do a lot of reading for school, but we want this to be fun."

That's part of the reason why the library chose a science fiction/fantasy theme for its reading program. Imagination and fantasy are a part of childhood, Anderson said.

And the Harry Potter series and Tolkien movies helped validate the genre for the mainstream, said Anderson.

Characters find strength

While some parents might be leery of Harry Potter and other titles, the stories are often about a fight between good and evil, she said. "The characters are finding strength and the trappings might be fantastical, but the emotions and skills and strengths of the characters have very practical life applications."

The librarians hope that children who register for the program can encourage their parents to join the adult reading program. The theme is "Drag a tale from the cache."

It is structured a little differently, requiring only five books to be read. For anyone who's a reader, "that's a piece of cake," said librarian Paula Gresham-Bequette. But devoting 30 minutes a day to reading should help anyone finish.

Again, librarians compiled a suggested reading list of science fiction and fantasy favorites like authors Terry Brooks, Piers Anthony, Isaac Asimov, Tolkien and Anne McCaffrey.

"But you can read whatever you want to" and still participate in the program, said Marilyn Hutchings, a reference associate at the library.

"We want them to come and enjoy the library," librarian Brenda Renner said, "and know it is a pleasurable place."

ljohnston@semissourian.com

335-6611, extension 126