Mermaid says read at Austintown library

Photo

Judy Sluss (standing) helped Alyson Davis win her ring toss game.

Photo

Neighbors | Sarah Foor.Kathe Orr (left) helped Matthew Byler apply a temporary tattoo.

Photo

Carissa Byler showed off her vibrantly colored fish at the coloring station.

Photo

Aaron Hart (right) thanked Kathe Orr for his new temporary tattoo — a fish on his arm.

By SARAH FOOR

neighbors@vindy.com

The group of children attending the Austintown library’s underwater adventure land July 25 were like a school of fish exploring everything in sight.

Children’s librarians Kathe Orr and Judy Sluss planned underwater games that would both help the children learn and get them moving.

First, there was an interactive song and story time, where about 25 children played a Simon Says-type game renamed “Mermaid Says.” A flurry of activity followed story time, and the children played ring toss, hula hooped and played parachute. Others colored, picked out temporary tattoos and met a fish from Orr’s home pond.

As always, events at the library subtract an hour from the children’s Summer Reading Program requirement.

“While it may seem like just activities, it’s proven that the rhymes, crafts, and games ultimately increase literacy,” said Sluss.

After pausing to help toddler Alyson Davis win her ring toss game, Sluss continued.

“There is a larger purpose, but mostly, it is just fun.”