Beverly Reads 2010
Rock Wall Open House at the Beverly YMCA
What challenges did Greg Mortenson face as he climbed K2, the second highest mountain in the world? What does it feel like to climb straight up the face of a mountain? Experience rock climbing on the Greater Beverly YMCA (Sterling Center)’s well equipped 25 foot indoor rock wall on Sunday, March 14 from 1 – 3 PM. There are four different routes, for all abilities for ages 6 and up. This event is free and open to the public.
Children’s Art Programs
Explore the meaning of sharing a cup of tea, and create a colorful teacup from arts materials and enjoy a cup of tea and a snack at the Farms branch on Thursday, February 25 from 4-5 PM at our Creative Tea Cups program. The library will provide all decorating supplies. For children age 6 and older. Advance signup required.
And on Tuesday, March 2, the Children’s Collage Art Show will be holding its Artist’s Reception from 5-7 PM. This exhibit will run from March 2 through March 30 and include “paper relief” artwork created by participants in the Giles Laroche “Creative Artists” workshop.
American Misunderstanding: Photographs and Reflections
On Thursday, February 18 from 7:30 – 9 PM, North Shore native and Rotarian Rachel Williams, who travels annually to Pakistan, will give an illustrated talk about conditions there, and reflect on the ways in which Americans may have erroneous perceptions of Pakistan’s society and culture. For more information of Rachel’s work, please visit her blog.
Beverly Reads Begins with Tea Party and Storytelling
Bring the whole family on Sunday, January 31 from 3-5PM! Sample delicious teas and a variety of treats from local bakeries, view artwork inspired by favorite books created by local students, and enjoy the story telling of Tony Toledo as we begin our Beverly Reads campaign.
Kids – would you like your own artwork exhibited at the Beverly Reads Tea Party Kickoff on January 31? Just make a poster to show what you love about reading. It can be a scene from a favorite story, a favorite place you like to read, or a picture of you and a favorite reading friend! Bring it to the main library or the Farms branch by Friday, January 22 and we will display it for all to see.
Booklist for Children Inspired by Three Cups of Tea
Our Children’s Librarian has created a list of books for children who are interested in Three Cups of Tea and the countries and cultures of the Middle East. Be sure to check back for an upcoming booklist for adults as well as a more detailed schedule of events.
Beverly Reads is Almost Here
Beverly Reads is a community wide effort to have as many people as possible read, enjoy, discuss and immerse themselves in one book. It is an attempt to come together in a time when busy lives can so easily drive us apart. It is also an effort to promote literacy, to remind everyone how enjoyable it is to sit back and read, or listen to, a book that engages your interest and opens you up to experiencing someone else’s world and words.
This year, the book that was chosen is Greg Mortenson’s Three Cups of Tea and the companion children’s book Listen to the Wind, illustrated by Susan Roth. We will encourage citizens across Beverly to read and discuss this wonderful and inspiring book as it follows Greg Mortenson’s amazing journey from a failed attempt to scale K2, the second highest mountain in the world, to becoming an unlikely hero as he builds schools and advocates for education in impoverished areas of Pakistan and Afghanistan.
There will be several events scheduled throughout the three month period. Join us for the kickoff event on Sunday, January 31 at 3 PM at the Beverly Public Library. Sample international foods and delicious teas, view artwork inspired by favorite books created by local students, and enjoy the wonderful storytelling of Tony Toledo.
Look for other upcoming events at the Main Library, Farms Branch Library and other locations in Beverly. Films, book discussions, music, exhibits, arts & crafts – there will be something for everyone, including a visit from illustrator Susan Roth who will be here in February to show us how she created her book by layering various collage elements.
We have many copies of the books available for checkout. If you want to read it for your book discussion group, the library also has book discussion kits for Three Cups of Tea. We even have a family version that includes the young adult version of Three Cups of Tea and Listen to the Wind.
We hope you will join in this celebration of reading and community togetherness. All events are free and open to all. Please contact Anna Langstaff at 978-921-6062 or langstaff@noblenet.org with any questions.
New Book for 2010 Announced
Last year, the Beverly Public Library & The Greater Beverly Education Roundtable presented “Beverly Reads”: a series of programs centered around Stephen Puleo’s Dark Tide: The Great Boston Molasses Flood of 1919. This year, they have chosen Three Cups of Tea by Greg Mortenson. It is the story about the author’s work building schools in Pakistan and Afghanistan and the events that started him on his humanitarian journey. Events will kickoff in January and run through March.
What is “Beverly Reads”?
Think of it as a community-wide book club. The Beverly Public Library and the Greater Beverly Education Roundtable select a book and plan a series of events around it from book discussions to concerts and children’s programs.
