Family Reading Night Offers Free Stories, Crafts, Drama

Scenic Regional Library will hold its fifth annual Family Reading Night Friday, Nov. 30, from 6:30 to 9 p.m. at Union High School.

Doors open at 6:30 p.m. and the first 150 children will receive a free book.

There is no charge to attend and the event is open to everyone.

The evening is centered around the 10 books nominated for the Missouri Building Block Picture Book Award. The 10 books are:

“Hugless Douglas” by David Melling; “Is Everyone Ready for Fun?” by Jan Thomas; “Press Here” by Hervé Tullet; “Mitchell’s License” by Hallie Durand; “Do You Know Which Ones Will Grow?” by Susan A. Shea; “If You’re Hoppy” by April Pulley Sayre; “I Spy With My Little Eye” by Edward Gibbs; “The Wonderful Book” by Leonid Gore; “Dog in Boots” by Greg Gormley; and “RRRalph” by Lois Ehlert.

Children will be able to visit reading areas where volunteers will read each of the 10 nominees and craft tables where they will make things related to the stories.

The Union High School drama students also will act out two of the books on stage in the Fine Arts Center and read two other “Do As I Do” books that encourage participation.

Children who have listened to at least five of the 10 books will then be eligible to vote for their favorite. The winner of the Building Block Award is selected by children’s votes.

Voting booths with ballots will be set up in the UHS. There will be paper ballots for older children and sticker ballots for younger children who are not able to read or write yet.

Voting continues across the state through Dec. 31.

For more information, visit Scenic Regional Library in Union or go online to www.molib.org and select the Awards tab at the left to click on Building Block Award.

The Union Family Reading Night is sponsored by Scenic Regional Library, Union School District and the student Missouri State Teachers Association chapter at East Central College.