Fun at the St. Ignace Library

     Libraries can be a great source of entertainment for people of all ages. On Thursday, May 3, 2012 I had an opportunity to travel down to St. I gnace and play with my granddaughter.  My mother, her great grandmother, was given the responsibility of watching Madison that day.  Both my daughter and Madison had doctor's appointments and since they live in Cheboygan and my daughter works in St. Ignace, it was the only workable solution since my mother happens to live in St. Ignace.
     Madison is four years old and very active.  Like most four year olds she likes to explore, play and just keep going continuously.  My mother was a little concerned and asked if I would travel to
St. I gnace to help her out. 
     I decided to try to wear Madison out.  I talked my mother into visiting the St. Ignace  library.
St. Ignace constructed a very nice library to replace the old one.  It was a very chilly rainy day.  My mother was wondering why we just couldn't hang out at her home where it is nice and warm.  Finally she agreed to go.  As soon as I walked into the library, I knew I would have a chance to have fun with Madison.  My mother went off on her own to look for books for herself and I sought out the children's section of the library. 
     Sure enough there was a section dedicated just to children. Being a kid at heart with a love of books including children's books, I was in what I would define as heaven.  There was even an alcove  children and adults could sit in, complete with a couple of long stairs and stuffed animals.  A lot of books were standing on a table situated in the middle of the children's area.  Books were sitting upright on top of bookshelves.  I had my eye on a book entitled "Dewey, The Libary Cat."  Then I decided I would read Madison a book about a great big pie made with all sorts of candy.  The townsfolk ate so much of the pie that they had bad dreams and Mrs. Brindle took a broom and swept their dreams away.  Whenever I think my thoughts can be way out there, I am reminded that others have weird thoughts also. 
     Madison wanted to explore so we walked around the library. The librarian told us that since she was the only one working at the libary that day there wasn't going to be a story hour. Then she proceeded to have me follow her to a room at the back of the libary.  There were paper bags, children's scissors, glue, crayons, frog and alligator designs.  The librarian told me that we could make a paper bag puppet.  Madison really likes to make art projects so she was very interested in doing this activity.  Madison decided she wanted to make an alligator puppet.  She colored the alligator various colors from yellow, red to green and then tried to cut out the pieces.  Needless to say, I had to finish cutting out the pieces.  I didn't mind, I love doing art projects also. Some of my favorites moments I recall is when I was doing art projects.  I proudly remember bringing home my marble art that I made in one of my child development classes. Madison spread glue on the pieces and then placed them on the bag.  Her project was complete.  Then we went exploring again after picking up after ourselves. 
     I talked Madison into listening to the library cat book.  Shortly after we settled down to read the book in the little alcove, a group of parents and children walked into the children's area.  I began reading the book "Dewey, The Libary Cat" and discovered I had an audience.  I was reading the book Sharon style with lots of animation and discussions about the pictures.  The children including Madison and a parent were enjoying the book.  What I discovered about myself is that I really like reading children's books.  Perhaps next week when I visit the library with Madison again, I will be able to share my love of reading with other children of whom I don't know; but share a common interest. I think the parents thought I was the reader that day. I enjoyed my visit to the library and want to reiterate that libraries are an excellent source of healthy entertainment for children of all ages.