Children laugh it up with maid at Cape library

CHRIS PAGANO * cpagano@semissourian.com

AMELIA.jpg

Amelia Bedelia, played by Ann Thompson children's librarian at Sikeston Public Library, used props in telling the story, "The Surprise Shower," by Peggy Parish. The program, Super Saturday, was held at Cape Public Library in an effort to promote summer reading.

By Chris Pagano ~ Southeast Missourian

Amelia Bedelia needed no introductions when she arrived for a short visit with about 40 children and several parents Saturday at the Cape Girardeau Public Library.

The character, played by Ann Thompson, children's librarian at the Sikeston library, told the story of "The Surprise Shower" by Peggy Parish for the library's summer reading club. The theme this year is "Laugh It Up @ Your Library."

Amelia Bedelia, a maid, understands people literally. When told to prune the trees, she carries out her employer's instructions to the letter by placing prunes on the branches.

Noah Ray, 7, of Cape Girardeau, likes Amelia Bedelia "because she messes up too."

"She makes me smile and laugh," said his sister, Noelle.

Their mother, Mary Ray, home schools three of her six children but gives them the summer off. "The Summer Reading Program encourages kids to read more. It gives them an incentive," she said. "We look forward to coming to the library."

Vicki McLemore has been coming to the library program for four years. She and her daughter, Samantha, share the summer reading club reading requirements.

"I think it's a good program so they don't forget what they learned over the school year," McLemore said. "I especially like the way it's set up this year with activities included."

Children receive a game board that instructs them in reading and activities. Activities include building a reading tent, going to the zoo or simply listening to a poem.

Amelia Bedelia's duties in "The Surprise Shower" included scaling and icing fish to prepare for shower guests. Children did not scale fish but did have fish-shaped cookies.

She signed autographs on name tags at the end of the program.

Librarian Sharon Anderson, formerly a costumer at Southeast Missouri State University, provided Amelia Bedelia's costume. She is seeking a pair of purple horn-rimmed glasses (needed by mid-July) for the next character at the library.

The summer reading club ends Aug. 1.

cpagano@semissourian.com

335-6611, extension 133