Friday, December 30, 2011
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Neighbors | Sarah Foor .Librarian Hayley McEwing also had guests attempt "grinchy" games and crafts. In Dr. Seuss's tale, the Grinch's dog max has trouble balancing a set of antlers his owner placed on his head. Guests at the "Grinchmas" party attempted to balance bean bags on their heads. Brothers Garrett (left) and Tyler Monticue gave it a try, as their older brother Christopher Monticue (right) looked on.
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Neighbors | Sarah Foor .Mom Leigh Thorpe suggested that her daughter, Emma Thorpe, surprise her dad with a scary Grinch mask when she got home. Emma showed off the scary demeanor she was planning to spring on her dad after she left the Dec. 12 event.
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Neighbors | Sarah Foor .Sammie Ricosky decided to color her grinch mask in shades of purple and pink even through she knew the character is usually green.
By SARAH FOOR
The original cartoon version of Dr. Seuss’ “How the Grinch Stole Christmas” attests that the Grinch is as cuddly as a cactus and as charming as an eel.
But even with his unfavorable reputation, local kids flocked to the Austintown library on Dec. 12 to celebrate a “Grinchmas” celebration with librarian Hayley McEwing.
The event began with a reading of Seuss’ classic Christmas tale, which McEwing shared along with clips from the 1966 cartoon and a rendition of the tune “You’re a Mean One, Mr. Grinch.”
McEwing added a literacy lesson by continuing to ask her guests what was happening in the story, strengthening narrative skills for younger guests.
After the story time, guests explored Grinchy activity areas that all had clever connections to the original Dr. Seuss story. Guests enjoyed who-pudding, like the residents of Whoville during their Christmas feast. McEwing provided games where she asked the kids to balance a bean bag on their heads, mimicking how the Grinch’s dog Max had trouble balancing antlers on his head.
In Dr. Seuss’ story, the Grinch’s heart grows three sizes larger as he learns that Christmas is about more than just gifts. McEwing connected the story to a lesson about the heart at an activity station.
At the event’s craft station, Emma Thorpe diligently colored a Grinch mask she was planning to take home.
“When we go home, we’re going to surprise Dad with your Grinch mask and scare him,” Emma’s mom, Leigh Thorpe, suggested with a smile.
Guest Amelia Bonacker said she was a big fan of the Grinch story, but her knowledge of the book and movies wouldn’t cramp her artistic process.
“I know he’s green everywhere else, but my favorite color is pink. The Grinch is going to be pink this Christmas,” Bonacker said.