March is Reading Month and we are excited to announce The Puppets of Spelhorst by Kate DiCamillo as this year’s Family Read, to be read and celebrated all month. The Puppets of Spelhorst is a short chapter book with beautiful black and white illustrations. It is the first book in a planned trio of stories called The Norendy Tales, perfect for the Family Read because they are written to be read aloud and shared. Parents often read to young children, but it is valuable to read and talk with older kids too, to improve their reading skills, expand their vocabulary, and help them think about the world through books.
The Puppets of Spelhorst follows five puppets—a king, a wolf, a girl, a boy, and an owl—from their purchase by an old seaman to being gifted to two young girls. While each puppet has unique hopes of flight, fame, and glory, and memories of sights and sounds they experience outside of the chest, they feel they are part of a bigger story that includes them all and they must stay together. Follow them on their adventures!
Each Family Read includes events that help readers dive into the book’s themes and bring the book to life. We’ll kick off the fun on March 1 with a Spinning Dot Theatre puppet show called Catching Mirrors. Over the month, you will have multiple opportunities to make your own different types of puppets–paper bag puppets at YDL-Superior, puppets with YDL board member and puppeteer Brian Stimel at YDL-Michigan, and shadow puppets with Doodles Academy at YDL-Whittaker. Celebrate your greatness by creating a unique collage at YDL-Superior; explore science, music, and kindness at YDL-Michigan; and meet an owl with Leslie Science and Nature Center or attend a stuffed animal sleepover at YDL-Whittaker. The month will wrap up with Spring Break activities. Free copies of the book will be given to those who attend book club discussions.
This year, we’re tying the Family Read to a Spring Challenge. Earn points by attending library programs, completing challenges at home, or reading additional books from our list. Pick up a BINGO card at any YDL Youth Desk. Youth who complete any combination of 5 Read, Learn, and Explore activities on the BINGO card over the month earn a free book of their choice; adults get a color changing YDL cup. For each extra BINGO kids complete, they get to pick a prize from Youth Department treasure chests.
Find details and dates for all Family Read related programs, resources teachers and families can use including conversation starters, writing prompts from 826Michigan, and links to videos and activities you can do at home on our Puppets of Spelhorst page. Contact [email protected] for more information.
