Download and print your Be Creative @ your library form for children birth to entering 6th grade. Forms are also available in the library and on the bookmobiles. Summer reading programs for teens and adults are available.

Win prizes! Follow the path to the Grand Finalé at the end of Summer! Read for 15 minutes (or have someone read to you). Every time you read, color the next picture on the path! (Or you can circle the picture, cross it out, or mark it any way you wish.) When you reach a Reward, bring this sheet to the library. The librarian will stamp it with a special stamp and remove the matching reward tab at the bottom. Collect your rewards!

Download your Be Creative @ your library Children’s Reading log 

Bring your Reading log to the Youth Services Desk at the library or any bookmobile to collect your rewards. For more information, call the librarians at 785-580-4565.

Summerfest Programs for Children
Enjoy programs for ages birth through entering 6th grade and their families.
For a full schedule of programs, read the June-July 2009 ConnectNow and discover fun events throughout the summer at the library,

For programs that indicate registration required, call Youth Services at
785-580-4565 or sign up in person.

Baby Bookworms [0–18 months]
This is a program for entertaining our youngest patrons with stories, songs and bounces.
■ Lingo Story Room 121
Thursday, June 4, 11, 18, 25
9:30–10:00 am
10:30–11:00 am
5:30–6:00 pm

Thursday, July 2, 9, 16, 23, 30
9:30–10:00 am
10:30–11:00 am
5:30–6:00 pm

Sneak, Peek & Read [18–24 months]
Bubbles and books, wiggles and songs! This is a program for toddlers and their favorite adult to enjoy together.
■ Lingo Story Room 121
Registration begins 9 AM, Wednesday, May 20
Wednesday, June 3, 10, 17, 24
9:30–10:00 am
10:30–11:00 am
6:30–7:00 pm

Registration begins 9AM, Wednesday, June 24
Wednesday, July 8, 15, 22, 29
9:30–10:00 am
10:30–11:00 am
6:30–7:00 pm

Tot Time [24–36 months]
Share stories, songs and crafts with your 2-year-old. This program transitions children from lap-sitting to independent storytimes. Registration begins 9 AM, Tuesday, May 26.
■ Lingo Story Room 121
Tuesday, June 9, 16, 23, 30
9:30–10:00 am
10:30–11:00 am
6:30–7:00 pm

Tuesday, July 7, 14
9:30–10:00 am
10:30–11:00 am
6:30–7:00 pm

Preschool Storytime [3–5 years]
Stories, songs and activities at this program will encourage a love of reading and develop school skills at an early age.
■ Story Zone
Tuesday, June 2, 9, 16, 23, 30
9:30–10:00 am
Thursday, June 4, 11, 18, 25
9:30–10:00 am
Tuesday, July 7, 14, 21, 28
9:30–10:00 am
Thursday, July 2, 9, 16, 23, 30
9:30–10:00 am

Pajama Storytime [3–5 years]
Wear your pajamas to the library! Bring along a fuzzy friend and your blanket. Stories, songs and finger plays. Registration required.
■ Lingo Story Room 121
Monday, June 8  6:30–7:00 pm
Monday, July 13  6:30–7:00 pm

School Readiness Roundup [3–5 years]
Bring your preschooler and participate in fun activities that help prepare your child for kindergarten. This program is offered in association with Capital Area Smart Start and ERC Resource & Referral. Registration required.
■ Lingo Story Room 121
Thursday, July 9  6:30–7:30 pm

Homework Center [5–18 years]
Homework coaches help children with questions and assignments and teach them how to use the library’s resources.
■ Homework Center 121D
Mon-Wed-Fri   1:00–5:00 pm

A New Look at Our Universe [families and all ages]
See the universe now through the eyes of a NASA expert. Learn about gamma ray bursts and black holes and about the current NASA missions that are researching these strange objects. This program presented by Michael Ford, local NASA Education Ambassador.
■ Marvin Auditorium 101BC
Wednesday, June 3  7:00–8:30 pm

Conscious Discipline [parents only]
Achieve a more peaceful home environment. Learn effective and fun ways to connect with your children using “Conscious Discipline” techniques. This program presented by Early Care and Education Specialist Karla Haag for ERC Resource & Referral. Registration required.
■ Perkins Room 201
Thursday, June 4  6:30–7:30 pm

R.E.A.D. Dogs Open House [families and all ages]
Dogs are man’s best friend, but a child’s best listener. Improve your child’s reading skills with help from the Reading Education Assistance Dogs. The dogs will be at the library on Sundays this summer!
■ Lingo Story Room 121
Sunday, June 7  2:00-3:00 pm

Sunflower Music Festival [families and all ages]
An enjoyable introduction to classical music performed by young musicians from the Blanche Bryden Sunflower Music Institute.
■ Marvin Auditorium
Tuesday, June 9  2:00-3:00 pm

Easy Star Gazing [families and all ages]
Learn to use your eyes and binoculars to view the night sky. Learn how to watch the Kansas sky over the next three months. Handouts will help transform your backyard into an observatory.
■ Marvin Auditorium 101A
Friday, June 12  7:00–8:00 pm

Ferdinand the Bull [families and all ages]
Enjoy a preview of Ferdinand the Bull performed by the Topeka Civic Theatre and Academy actors. Based on the book The Story of Ferdinand by Munro Leaf.
■ Marvin Auditorium
Saturday, June 13  11:00 am–12:00 pm

R.E.A.D. Dogs [families and all ages]
Grab your favorite book and read to the Reading Education Assistance Dogs. These dogs are registered therapy animals that volunteer at the library with their owners.
■ Homework Center 121D
Sunday, June 14, 21, 28  2:00–3:00 pm
Sunday, July 5, 12, 19, 26  2:00–3:00 pm

Musical Storytime for Everybody [Families]
Kyler sings, plays the guitar and reads entertaining books for your family.
■ Story Zone
Friday, June 19  10:00–10:30 am
Friday, July 17  10:00–10:30 am

New Parent Discussion
This month’s topic is reading with your child. Discuss this issue, hear from a community expert, explore how to use the library with your family and learn about other local resources for parents.
■ Lingo Story Room 121
Monday, June 22  6:30–7:30 pm

Léeme Un Cuento [ families with children 3–8 years]
Read Me a Story! Whether learning Spanish or English, you’ll love coming to “Léeme Un Cuento,’” our Spanish/English storytime. No registration required.
Si estas estudiando Español o Inglés nos gustaría que viniera a “Léeme Un Cuento”. No se requiere registración.
■ Story Zone
Monday/Lunes Jun/Junio 22
10:00– 10:30 am
Monday/Lunes Jul/Julio 20
10:00– 10:30 am

New Parent Discussion
This month’s topic is baby-wearing using slings and other baby carriers. Discuss this issue and explore how to use the library with your family. Hear from a community expert and learn about local resources.
■ Lingo Story Room 121
Monday, July 27  6:30–7:30 pm

Be Creative with Music
[3 years–2nd grade]
Music therapist Sylvia Hamilton leads a variety of music-making activities including movement, songs, stories and instruments. Limited to 40 children.
■ Marvin Auditorium 101AB
Tuesday, June 2  10:00–11:00 am

[grades 3–6]
Create your own drum and a rainstick, and make up new songs. Test your knowledge of familiar songs.
■ Marvin Auditorium 101C
Tuesday, June 2  10:00–11:00 am

Project Little Foot
Learn how to develop a story through teamwork, narrative and creative expression. This program is developed and presented by KU design students. Registration required.
■ Lingo Story Room 121
[5–8 years]
Wednesday, June 3, 10, 17, 24  1:00–2:30 pm
Wednesday, July 1, 8, 15, 22  1:00–2:30 pm

[9–11 years]
■ Lingo Story Room 121
Wednesday, June 3, 10, 17, 24  3:00–4:30 pm
Wednesday, July 1, 8, 15, 22  3:00–4:30 pm

Be Creative with Acting
[3 years–2nd grade]
Topeka Civic Theatre and Academy’s Education Director Jennifer Van Bruggen teaches basic improvisation and acting skills. Use your body, voice and emotions to communicate different characters. Wear loose, comfortable clothing and closed-toed tennis shoes.
■ Marvin Auditorium 101AB
Tuesday, June 9  10:00–11:00 am

[3–6 grades]
■ Marvin Auditorium 101C
Tuesday, June 9  10:00–11:00 am

Puppet Shenanigans [7–10 years]
Join puppeteer Priscilla Howe in this preposterous puppet-making and puppet-playing workshop for kids. Learn some of Priscilla’s favorite tricks of the trade. Registration required. Call 785-580-4590.
■ Lingo Story Room 121
Monday, June 15  10:00–11:00 am

Be Creative with Dancing
[3 years–2nd grade]
Shake your body, move your feet. Get dancin’ to the beat! Beverly Bernardi Post and Belinda Post lead you, step by step, into dancing.
■ Marvin Auditorium 101AB
Tuesday, June 16  10:00–11:00 am

[3–6 grades]
■ Marvin Auditorium 101C
Tuesday, June 16  10:00–11:00 am

Be Creative with Visual Arts
[3 years–2nd grade]
Create a beaded suncatcher, weave a design and fashion a friend out of fabric. Older kids are allowed to make a beaded bracelet or a 3-D paper sculpture that pops off the page.
■ Marvin Auditorium 101AB
Tuesday, June 23  10:00–11:00 am

[3–6 grades]
■ Marvin Auditorium 101C
Tuesday, June 23  10:00–11:00 am

Instrument Fair [3 years–6th grade]
Manning Music lets you make some noise on a variety of musical instruments.
■ Marvin Auditorium
Tuesday, June 30  10:00–11:00 am

Be Creative with Acting II
[3 years–2nd grade]
Act out! We’re sure your parents won’t mind this time. Helen Hocker Theater staff shares some of the secrets of acting. This workshop could guide you to bigger acting opportunities.
■ Marvin Auditorium 101AB
Tuesday, July 7  10:00–11:00 am

[grades 3–6]
■ Marvin Auditorium 101C
Tuesday, July 7  10:00–11:00 am

Be Creative with Dancing II
[2 years–2nd grade]
Ballet Midwest staff teach you new moves that you can show off to your friends and family. Unleash your creativity and expend some of that high energy in this workshop.
■ Marvin Auditorium 101AB
Tuesday, July 14  10:00–11:00 am

[grades 3–6]
■ Marvin Auditorium 101C
Tuesday, July 14  10:00–11:00 am

Be Creative with Visual Arts II
[3 years–2nd grade]
Kids + paper = fun! Create some stuff to take home and learn how to create works of art with paper and a few household items.
■ Marvin Auditorium 101AB
Tuesday, July 21  10:00–11:00 am

[grade 3–6]
Art inspired by a gourd?! What??? Yes! Gourds offer plenty of ways to be artistic. But, if veggie-art isn’t your thing, we’ll be designing CD labels too.
■ Marvin Auditorium 101C
Tuesday, July 21  10:00–11:00 am

Summerfest Blowout [6th grade and younger]
Imagine. Create. Participate in the summer reading program blowout. Come for the crafts, games and friendship. There will be prizes for all who participated in the children’s summer reading program.
■ Marvin Auditorium
Wednesday, July 29  2:00–3:30 pm

Wednesday Blockbusters

Brent Dellinger - The Spinmaster [all ages]
Brent Dellinger is back by popular demand! The national yo-yo champion will dazzle his audience by performing freestyle routines to lively music using single-hand, double-hand, freehand and off-string styles. Prepare to be dazzled!
■ Marvin Auditorium
Wednesday, June 3   9:30–10:30 am
Wednesday, June 3   11:00 am–12:00 pm

Bob Goodin - Color Your World [all ages]
This inspirational children’s program features Meihoo, the magic dragon and his owner Bob Goodin. Meihoo decides to take all the color out of the world to punish all the kids who make fun of him. Join Meihoo for a lighter take on a common issue among children and adults: accepting differences in others.
■ Marvin Auditorium
Wednesday, June 10   9:30–10:30 am
Wednesday, June 10   11:00 am–12:00 pm

Richard Holmgren - Flying Debris [all ages]
Watch as Richard Holmgren juggles machetes, Twinkies and little kids (if available). Be astounded as this hilarious showman even catches a bowling ball on his face while strapped in a straight jacket!
■ Marvin Auditorium
Wednesday, June 17   9:30–10:30 am
Wednesday, June 17   11:00 am–12:00 pm

Yvonne Patterson - Wings of Love [all ages]
Be amazed by the awesome Wings of Love Birds. Enjoy Mr. Bo Jangles Macaw, the Trickster cockatoo, Gizmo the best talking parrot and the hip-hop break-dancing Pollinator.
■ Marvin Auditorium
Wednesday, June 24   9:30–10:30 am
Wednesday, June 24   11:00 am–12:00 pm

Kevin Dolan - Dino O’Dell [all ages]
Join in an adventure of playing, dancing and singing with Dino O’Dell (Kevin Dolan). Enjoy some of Dino’s best hits including Itty Bitty Monsters, The Peanut Butter Pond, The Pizza Polka, Worms — They Really Hit the Spot and I Go Bananas for Bananas.
■ Marvin Auditorium
Wednesday, July 1   9:30–10:30 am
Wednesday, July 1   11:00 am –12:00 pm

Jim Cosgrove - Mr. Stinky Feet [all ages]
Mr. Stinky Feet (aka Jim Cosgrove) returns with his high-energy, interactive program loaded with laughter, singing and dancing. Join in as Jim performs his original songs and shares his box of instruments from all over the world.
■ Marvin Auditorium
Wednesday, July 8   9:30–10:30 am
Wednesday, July 8   11:00 am–12:00 pm
Wednesday, July 8   7:00–8:00 pm NEW TIME

David Thornburg - Hocus Pocus, Abracadabra [all ages]
Magical Entertainer David Thornburg gives your curious mind a workout as he performs simple and complex magic tricks that leave you asking, “How did he do that?”
■ Marvin Auditorium
Wednesday, July 15   9:30–10:30 am
Wednesday, July 15   11:00 am–12:00 pm

Kyler and his crew - Merry Library Band [all ages]
Wrap up the summer Blockbusters with a zany, crazy and fun-filled performance by some of your favorite library staff members. Dance and sing to familiar and not-so-familiar songs!
■ Marvin Auditorium
Wednesday, July 22   9:30–10:30 am
Wednesday, July 22   11:00 am–12:00 pm

Puppet Shows and Crafts
Craft time begins prior to each puppet show and lasts until an hour after the show concludes. Make your own puppet craft or have your face painted. Hours are 5:30–8:30 pm. Crafts located in Marvin Auditorium 101C. Call 785-580-4951 for more information.

It’s a Jungle Out There [all ages]
Watch as orangutans, Japanese tigers and gibbons swing to the beat of the music while hornbills and dog-faced fruit bats fly into the audience. This show focuses on environmental concerns in a lighthearted and fun way. Presented by StoneLion Puppet Theater; narrated by Felicia Flash.
■ Marvin Auditorium 101AB
Wednesday, June 10   6:30-7:00 pm
Wednesday, June 10   7:30-8:00 pm

Bravo! [all ages] (NOTE: Saturday performance)
It’s showtime! The puppets dance. The puppets sing. It’s Broadway on strings with pure puppet pizazz. Enjoy this musical variety marionette puppet show presented by Clement McCrae Puppet Shows. Come early for crafts from 9:30–10:30 am.
■ Marvin Auditorium 101AB
Saturday, June 20   10:30–11:15 am NEW TIME

Peter and the Wolf [all ages]
Peter, Grandpa, the fast flying bird and the comical wolf are a few of the characters who tell the story of a boy named Peter who catches the big and not-so-scary wolf. Music by Sergei Prokofiev and puppets by the Kansas City-based Piccadilly Productions.
■ Marvin Auditorium 101AB
Wednesday, June 24   6:30–7:00 pm
Wednesday, June 24   7:30–8:00 pm

The Case of the Missing Quintuplets [all ages]
Children will fall in love with the puppet quintuplets, cackle at the wicked old woman in black and anxiously await the exciting climax in this charming, modern-day fairy tale. Presented by Whee! Three Kings Productions.
■ Marvin Auditorium 101AB
Wednesday, July 22   6:30–7:00 pm
Wednesday, July 22   7:30–8:00 pm

Summerfest Friday Flicks:
Catch a free movie! Bring a friend, watch the show and beat the heat from 2:00–4:00 pm. Limit 30 people. Movie listings are subject to change.
■ Lingo Story Room 121
June 5 – August Rush (PG)
June 12 – Horton Hears a Who! (G)
June 19 – Madagascar 2 (PG)
June 26 – Marley and Me (PG)
July 3 – Bolt! (PG)
July10 – Bedtime Stories (PG)
July 17 – Happily N’Ever After (NR)
July 24 – Hotel for Dogs (PG)