Summer Reading [1] continues this month with movies and crafts and programs for all ages. The fair happens July 13-19, and for many Jasper County kids and teens, the fair will be their home away from home for that week.
In between all that busy time, read on for some cool links including a video about fireworks, a facebook app featuring Minions, and much much more!
July is...
National Parks and Recreation Month [2]. Learn about the National Park’s Junior Ranger Program [3].
National Blueberry Month [4]. Pick a tasty treat at a local blueberry grower [5]!
Word of the month: spelunk: To explore caves, especially as a hobby. When it's really hot in the summer, my family likes to go spelunking because caves are always the same temperature year-round. It's a great way to cool down on a hot day!
July 1 The first U.S. zoo opened in Philadelphia [6] in 1874.
July 3 Gru and his minions return to the big screen. Check out Despicable Me 2 [7] at a theater, make your own minion photo using the InstaMinion facebook app [8], or check out a minion item [9] from the library.
July 4 Independence Day How do fireworks work? Check out this video from National Geographic [10] and find out.
July 5 It’s P.T. Barnum [11]’s birthday. Read a book about the circus [12]!
July 8 It’s Raffi [13]’s birthday. Sing a silly song!
July 9 Youth Day in Morocco. What do you know about Morocco [14]? Use library resources to learn more.
July 10 It’s Don’t Step on a Bee Day, the time to remember that going barefoot can mean getting stung by a bee! Read a book about a bee [15] instead!
July 11 It’s E.B. White [16]’s birthday. Check out Anita Silvey’s Children’s Book-a-Day Almanac [17].
July 13 The Jasper County Fair [18] starts today! Stop in at the library to cool off or grab a movie at the end of the day.
July 14 It’s Brian Selznick’s birthday. Read The Invention of Hugo Cabret [19] or watch Hugo [20].
July 15 National Ice Cream Day. Learn how to make ice cream in a bag [21]!
July 17 Did you know? Disneyland, America’s first theme park, opened on this day in 1955.
July 18 It’s illustrator Felicia Bond’s birthday. Read one of Laura Numeroff's mouse books [22] (If You Give a Mouse a Cookie) and make mouse pictures.
July 19 The Rosetta Stone [23] was found on this day in 1799 by one of Napoleon's soldiers during his Egyptian campaign. Tres bien mon ami! [24] / Zehr gut mein freund! [25] / Muy bueno mi amigo! [26] / Very good my friend! [27] Learn a language today at the library by clicking one of the languages above.
July 20 Visit Potawatomi Park in Rensselaer at dusk for a free showing of Brave, sponsored by the Little Cousin Jasper festival committee and the Rensselaer Rotary.
July 20 Did you know? On July 20, 1969, U.S. astronaut Neil A. Armstrong became the first person to walk on the moon [28]. Calculate your moon weight by multiplying your weight by 0.165
July 24 It’s Amelia Earhart [29]’s birthday. Make paper airplanes [30]!
July 26 It’s Jan Berenstain [31]’s birthday. Read a Berenstain Bears book.
July 28 It's Natalie Babbitt [32]'s birthday. Read or watch the classic tale Tuck Everlasting [33].
July 31 It’s J.K. Rowling’s birthday (and Harry Potter's birdthday!). Visit Pottermore.com [34] for trivia tidbits and new content from J.K. herself, and live through the books all over again.
Q: What washes up on very small beaches?
A: Microwaves
“Come with me,' Mom says.
To the library.
Books and summertime
go together.”
― Lisa Schroeder, I Heart You, You Haunt Me