Library Events That Brings Stories Alive
When I was young, I would spend hours in the library.
Although, I loved reading, story time, interactive events and recreations of
stories were some of my best memories. As an author, I’ve created those events
at various libraries. Kids love hands on, and becoming one with stories. To
bring stories to life within the library doesn’t take a lot of effort. It takes
imagination. Kids are open and eager to make believe, and the libraries are the
best places for them to experience new stories, new places and many adventures.
Some events I’ve run that were great successes as an author
can be used at libraries, done on websites, with parents, or created as a
challenge.
Dungeons And Dragons Adventure Based On Author’s Book
As an author, I’ve created D&D like experience for
readers at libraries that model my stories. These have been fun events that can
take on a life of their own. Kids hate leaving these events early and have tons
of enjoyment by getting into their characters and experiencing adventures
within a story. We start with a video book trailer of the book. Then each
participant is given a character with different characteristics. The author or ‘dungeon
master (reader)’ creates the scene, acts as narrator to the story and leads
characters into key points of their ‘quest’. It can go on for hours and even be
a theme for the month.
Living Stories
To create a living stories event in a library, creating a theme
based around a popular story can gain participation even from the teenage readers.
Have readers vote on a book, or base it off the book club selection of a book. Once
the book of choice is chosen invite kids to do art projects to create a scene
from the book and even have a prop building contest. Create areas through the
library that mimic a scene in the book, encourage the child to read in the
area, dress up as a character, then lead to an art or interactive activity.
Story Scavenger Hunts
Everyone loves a good scavenger hunt. Creating an adventure
with clues to books from different authors is an amazing way to introduce young
visitors to the library to new books. Having a monthly scavenger hunt to find
and reveal new books, coming titles, or newly acquired books to the library is
a way to get readers excited early. Having a consistent monthly event builds
readers anticipation. It can even be part of the building up to a book club.
Library Camp Out
Camping, smores, ghost stories are ways to kick off a
library day camp out. Kids can come with their blankets, camp snacks and check
out their favorite book. A room in the library can be decorated like an enchanted
forest, a space station, a desert camp grounds or more. Readers can be invited to
pick a book with the camp location them and read away in their own camp spot.
Smores, treats, and prizes can be given to the camper that retells the best
stories based on what they’ve read.
Story Reenactment
Story reenactments can allow kids to further immerse and enjoy
stories. Having a reenactment doesn’t mean the kids have to had read the
stories. Small and short scenes can be replayed by the kids or the librarian.
There can even be areas in the library that scenes from books in that section
can be acted out. For the savvy library, having videos strategical placed can
lead the reader on a library adventure where they can participate in the fun.
As an author, and a kid at heart, finding enjoyable ways to tell
stories captures kids and adult interest alike. Taking events, activities that
people love, and bringing that to the library continues to make the library the
most adventurous place a reader can go.
By: LM Preston, fiction and non-fiction author, www.lmpreston.com and www.empoweredsteps.com, Twitter:
LM_Preston, Blog: www.lmpreston.blogspot.com
and http://homeschoolandwork.blogspot.com
