July is the month for patriotic events. Prepare a display table with groupings of books with red, white, and blue covers. Place a container of small American flag lapel pins on the table for patrons to pick up. Pins may be ordered from Oriental Trading Company. Here are 10 more display and program ideas for July.
National Blueberry Month
July is National Blueberry Month. Re-read the classic Blueberries for Sal by Robert McCloskey and serve this simple, and healthy, Blueberry Smoothie:
Ingredients
- 2 cups fresh or slightly thawed frozen blueberries
- 1 6-ounce container low fat vanilla or other flavored yogurt
- 1 cup fruit juice, such as orange, pineapple or apple
- 1 tablespoon honey or sugar, more or less to taste
Instructions
- In the container of an electric blender, place blueberries, yogurt, juice and honey
- Whirl until smooth
- Serve immediately
National Hot Dog Month
July is National Hot Dog Month, and according to the National Hot Dog and Sausage Council, Americans will be consuming the infamous little red tubes of meat in record numbers this summer. The Council estimates that over seven billion hot dogs will be eaten by Americans between Memorial Day and Labor Day. During the July 4th weekend alone (the biggest hot-dog holiday of the year), 155 million will be downed. Grill and serve hot dogs on the sidewalk in front of the Library. Go to http://www.hot-dog.org/ to see what Americans’ favorite hot dog topping is and to view a video of how hot dogs are made.
National Ice Cream Month
First designated by President Ronald Reagan in 1984, this month celebrates ice cream as a fun and nutritious food that is enjoyed by a full 90 percent of the nation’s population. Prepare a display with books about ice cream, cookbooks that tell how to make homemade ice cream, and include an ice cream maker. This website http://www.vicki-arnold.com/10-fun-books-about-ice-cream-2-bonus-books/ lists 10 fun books about ice cream. Pick a day and serve ice cream at the library.
Tearjerkers
Find books that make most people cry and display them with boxes of tissues, with at least one tissue in each book.
Cynthia Kadohata’s Birthday (July 2, 1956)
Cynthia Kadohata is a Japanese American children’s writer known best for winning the Newbery Medal in 2005. She won the U.S. National Book Award in 2013. Kadohata was born in Chicago, Illinois. Celebrate her birthday by displaying her books and preparing a bookmark with all her titles. You could even borrow the System’s Book Club Set of Cracker! for your children’s book club this summer.
Alison McGhee’s Birthday (July 8, 1960)
Alison McGhee is an American author, who has published several picture books, books for children, and adult novels. Go to https://alisonmcghee.com/books/ for a complete list of her titles to display. She has something in nearly every section of the library!
Brian Selznick’s Birthday (July 14, 1966)
Brian Selznick is an American illustrator and writer best known for illustrating children’s books. He won the 2008 Caldecott Medal for U.S. picture book illustration recognizing The Invention of Hugo Cabret, which was his first long work as a writer. Display Selznick’s books along with other Caldecott Medal winners.
Lollipop Day (July 20)
Hold a craft workshop for children to make lollipop flowers. Here is a link to the instructions and a helpful video http://www.redtedart.com/2014/01/28/tissue-paper-flower-lollipops/.
Beatrix Potter Birthday (July 28, 1866)
The author and illustrator of the Peter Rabbit stories for children was born in London, England. Arrange her books with puppets in the children’s area for a fun and interactive display.
J. K. Rowling’s Birthday (July 31, 1965)
J. K. Rowling is a British novelist, screenwriter and film producer best known as the author of the Harry Potter fantasy series. Display all the Harry Potter books as well as books written under her pen name Robert Galbraith. Have a Harry Potter-themed birthday party for your teens.
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