A snake, a skink and a summer of reading in Palmerton
ABOVE: Samantha Navarino of the Lehigh Valley Zoo brought reptiles and amphibians to the Palmerton Library’s summer reading program on Friday.
RIGHT: Abby Brickler, Lehigh Valley Zoo intern, shows the Palmerton Library summer reading group ‘Whaley,’ a blue-tongued skink. CHRIS REBER/TIMES NEWS
A snake in the library would normally be cause for concern, but when it’s Morgan, a hog snake from the Lehigh Valley Zoo, it’s all in fun.
On Friday, the Palmerton Library kicked off its summer reading programs with help from some of the zoo’s reptiles and amphibians.
Samantha Navarino, a conservation educator and program developer, presented the zoo’s “Libraries Rock” program, just one of many programs that the zoo puts on around the area.
“It’s relating animals to the libraries’ summer reading programs, we have other options, we have programs designed for senior citizens,” Navarino said.
Dozens of kids listened, raised their hands, and asked questions about the animals. Navarino and her interns presented a tree frog, hog snake and a tortoise.
Reptiles can sometimes be scary for kids. But it was clear that Navarino’s enthusiasm about the animals had an effect on them and made them excited to see the animals.
“I want them to connect with the animals,” she said. “For kids who see a woman who loves snakes, it changes their opinion.”
The program has been a success in getting kids excited about reptiles. Navarino said the best example is the zoo’s 9-foot boa constrictor, Scarlett. She said kids will come to the zoo, find her, and ask about the snake.
“She has a following,” Navarino said.
Many of the kids in attendance love attending the zoo already. Lincoln Baker of Palmerton has a season pass.
“I like to see my favorite animals, snakes,” the 7-year-old said.
His mom, Kirsten, brought Lincoln and Camden to Friday’s presentation. They enjoy both the zoo and their local library.
“The library is always very entertaining. They do themes, the story hour is fun. They have a musical circle,” Kirsten Baker said.
Friday’s kickoff was open to kids of all ages. It was funded by the Friends of the Palmerton Library.
Starting next week through the end of July, the library will offer weekly programs. A summer reading program for kids in grades K-6 takes place on Fridays at 10:30 a.m.
A preschool reading circle for kids ages 3-5 takes place Thursdays at 10:30 a.m. Neither program will be held the week of July 4.
The library will also offer incentives for all readers, including adults, who participate in their reading chain. Thanks to a grant from Thrivent Financial, readers can win prizes for adding paper links to the library’s reading chain, which will be displayed on the balcony. Each link equals a book read. For more information, contact the library at 610-826-3424.
