Library provides learning opportunity
International Literacy Day, Around the World, was held at the Pine Island Library Saturday, which attracted five girls who had the opportunity to learn about different cultures.
Pine Island Public Library Associate for Youth Services Tonya Player said although they hold an International Literacy Day every year a different theme with different crafts is held for the youngsters.
“I think it is a great event,” she said.
Player told those who attended that Saturday was about celebrating the fact that they can read because there are many individuals around the world who do not know how.
The program kicked off at 2 p.m. with questions asked about different places around the world. Clues were given and the girls raised their hands if they knew the answer. A handful of flags were then shown to see if the girls knew which country it represented.
To celebrate Around the World, Player then read two stories to the girls, which were about “Cinderella.” Player chose “Cinderella” because the familiar tale is told in almost every culture in various versions.
Player read “Yeh-Shen: A Cinderella Story from China” and “The Little Gold Star: A Spanish American Cinderella Tale.”
Once the tales were read, the girls then had the opportunity to make three different crafts that were either a part of the Chinese or Mexican culture.
They had the chance to create the word lucky in Chinese lettering on red paper, which means lucky, create a Mexican tin ornament or make a flower out of tissue paper.
Victoria Henderson, 14, said she really enjoyed making the Mexican tin ornament.
The ornament was created by tracing a design onto tin with a pencil and later coloring it with markers if so desired.
“It’s kind of awesome,” Henderson said after she created three different designs.
The next library program will be held on Sept. 19 at 6 p.m. Cindy Bear, coordinator of programs and services at the Randell Research Center, will provide an overview of the Calusa people and their ancestors, who lived along the shores of Pine Island Sound for thousands of years.
The event is sponsored by The Friends of the Pine Island Library.