National Library Week, April 1-8, and National Poetry Month (April) are two big upcoming local library events.
On Monday, April 2, 7 p.m., the Hunter Library, 4740 W. 4100 South, will host "Play Ball! It's National Library Week." Players from the Salt Lake Stingers will be on hand with some baseball tips, and they will also do some readings from a favorite book or two.
The same basic program will be repeated on Tuesday, April 3, 7 p.m. at the Sandy Library, 10100 S. Petunia Way.
The Salt Lake County Library System will also be hosting a "Baseball in April Bash" at Franklin Covey Field on Saturday, April 28. Free tickets will be available at all 18 county libraries starting April 2.
The April 28 event, from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m., will feature a tour of the clubhouse and press box. Careers in baseball will also be discussed, plus there will be indoor batting and pitching cages, a chance to run around the bases, pizza and the opportunity to register for a future chance to be an announcer at baseball game.
The event will conclude with an opportunity to stay for the University of Utah vs. Nevada-Las Vegas college baseball game that afternoon.
National Poetry Month Contest will kick off on Monday, April 2, at the Riverton and Bingham Creek libraries for children ages 5-15. Contact the two libraries for details on the contests.
Here's a list of some of the books available for children, courtesy of the Weber County Library System:
"Raggedy Ann Stories," by Johnny Gruelle. Meet Raggedy Ann, the lovable doll with the pink candy heart, and all of her friends in the nursery.
"The School Mouse," by Dick King-Smith. A young mouse lives with her family in a kindergarten classroom and teaches herself how to read.
"When We Were Young," by A.A. Milne. Funny and enduring rhymes by the author of Winnie-the-Pooh.
"Here There Be Ghosts," by Jane Yolen. Some truly spooky tales.
"The Velveteen Rabbit," by Margery Williams. A little toy rabbit lives in the nursery with other stuffed animals and wants to become real.
"Summer of the Monkeys," by Wilson Rawls. A sidesplitting tale about a boy named Jay Berry and an unforgettable summer.
"The Return of the Twelves," by Pauline Clarke. For fans of "The Indian in the Cupboard," this is a magical adventure about wooden soldiers who come to life.
"Meet Danitra Brown," by Nikki Grimes. Meet Danitra, who sparkles off the pages of these wonderful poems about friendship and being a kid.
Here are some other reading-related activities for children across the Wasatch Front during the next month:
Tuesdays, 10:30 a.m. and 11:30 a.m.: "Discovery Time" for ages 1-5 at the Weber County Library, 2464 Jefferson Ave., Ogden.
Tuesdays and Thursdays, 11 a.m.: "Preschool Storytime" at the Anderson-Foothill Branch, 1135 S. 2100 East, Salt Lake City.
Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays, 10 a.m. and 11 a.m.: "Story Time" for ages 3-5 at the Provo Library, 425 W. Center St.
Wednesdays, 11:30 a.m.: "Preschool Storytime" at the Farmington Library, 38 S. 100 East.
Wednesdays, 1:30 p.m.: "Preschool Storytime: at the South Branch Library, 725 S. Main, Bountiful.
Wednesdays, Thursdays and Fridays, 11 a.m.: "Preschool Storytime" at the Central Branch Library, 155 N. Wasatch Drive, Layton.
Thursdays, 10 a.m.: "Preschool Storytime" at the Salt Lake Main Library, 209 E. 500 South.
Fridays, 11 a.m. and 11:30 a.m.: "Mother Goose Time" at the Provo Library, 425 W. Center, for babies 13-24 months.
Monday, April 2, 7 p.m.: "Jammie Time" at the Salt Lake Main Library, 209 E. 500 South.
Monday, April 2, 7 p.m.: "Cowboy Ted Kids Club" at the Sandy Library, 10100 S. Petunia Way. For ages 5-12, with rope tricks and educational activities. (Also Saturday, April 7, 11 a.m. at the Tyler Library, 8041 S. Wood St.)
Tuesday, April 3, 4 p.m.: "Magic of Reading" for all ages at the South Jordan Library, 10300 Beckstead Lane. A combination of magic, comedy and education, with a live, small furry assistant. (Also on Wednesday, April 4, 7 p.m. at the Draper Library, 12441 S. 900 East.)
Tuesday, April 3, 7 p.m.: "Mad Science of Salt Lake" for all ages at the East Millcreek Library, 2266 Evergreen Ave. A creative and interactive program of air pressure. (Also on Wednesday, April 4, 7:30 p.m. at the Smith Library, 810 E. 3300 South; Saturday, April 7, 11 a.m. at the West Jordan Library, 2880 W. 3650 South; and Saturday, April 7, 2:30 p.m. at the Park Library, 4870 S. 2700 West.)
Wednesday, April 4, 10 a.m.: "Book Baby," for babies up to age 2 and their caregivers at both the Day-Riverside Library, 1575 W. 1000 North, and also the Main Salt Lake Library, 209 E. 500 South.
Thursday, April 5, 4:30 p.m.: "After School Read-Aloud," for ages 8-12 at the Riverton Library, 12850 S. Redwood Road. (Also April 12, 19 and 26.)
Saturday, April 7, 10:30 a.m.: "Book Baby" at the Sweet Branch Library, 455 F St.
Monday, April 9, 6:30 p.m.: "Easter Make 'n' Take" for all ages at the Kearns Library, 5350 S. 4220 West. Create your own Easter delight.
Tuesday, April 10, 2-5 p.m.: "Harry Potter Magical Mystery Day" at the Day-Riverside Branch, 1575 W. 1000 North. There will be a Harry Potter game of "Jeopardy," book discussions and other special events.
Wednesday, April 11, 10 a.m.: "Book Baby" at the Sprague Branch, 2131 S. 1100 East (advance registration required by calling 524-8280).
Wednesday, April 11, 3:30 p.m.: "Kids Club," ages 6-12 at the Whitmore Library, 2197 Fort Union Blvd.
Thursday, April 12, 9:30 a.m.: "Book Baby" at the Anderson-Foothill Branch, 1135 S. 2100 East (advance registration required by calling 524-8278).
Thursday, April 12, 7 p.m.: "Teen Poetry Night," ages 12-18, at the Riverton Library, 12860 S. Redwood Road.
Saturday, April 14, 11 a.m.: "Spanish Storytime," bilingual stories and activities for children at the Chapman Branch, 577 S. 900 West.
Tuesday, April 17, 10:30 a.m.: "Honey Bunny Storytime" for ages 2-5 at the Sandy Library, 10100 S. Petunia Way. (Also on April 18 at 10:30 p.m. at the Sandy Library.)
E-MAIL: lynn@desnews.com