At Bugs of the World, we learn about a different bug and culture each week through a folktale, a craft and a short movie. This week we learned about inchworms & the Miwok of California.

Here’s someone’s inchworm! These bright colors are unlike a real inchworm – who is usually colored to blend in with trees and leaves.

Catch this movie on Thursday, July 17 at 10 am.

More movies…

Recently two young authors visited the Vance Chavis Library. They read their book, My Grandma’s Backyard, and answered questions about the writing and publishing process. In this interview, they discuss the inspiration for the book, the collaborative process, and the influence of music in their lives.

Originally uploaded by Greensboro Public Library

At Bugs of the World this week we learned about the Monarch butterflies who travel from Canada to Michoacan, Mexico. We learned a little about the people who share their mountain homes each autumn with these butterflies. We also made tie-dyed coffee filter butterflies, enjoyed a snack and watched a short film.  Here is our swarm!

Happy Birthday, America

Find this book in our catalog.

Jacket Notes:  Mary Pope Osborne (the Magic Tree House series) joins in a family’s small-town Fourth of July celebration in Happy Birthday, America, illus. by Peter Catalanotto. Thickly applied watercolors depict the festivities, including a pet parade, picnic, concert and fireworks. An author’s note details the origins of Independence Day traditions.

For more Independence Day reading ideas for all ages:

My Shelf – 4th of July

Fourth of July Books for the Kids

Enjoy a reading with Miles and William Rabun, the young authors of My Grandma’s Backyard. There will also be a discussion about what it’s like to be a young author, and where Miles and William got their ideas.

The presentation includes an  Djembe demonstration of using rhythm to write along with a fun song and dance! You can also hear about how a family project turned into a family venture and the important values of investment, planning and giving back to the community.

Learn about how My Grandma’s Backyard was made, from the initial idea to the finished product.

When? Wednesday, July 2, 3;30 pm
Where? Vance Chavis Library, 900 S. Benbow Road

Butterfly Count

Find this book in our catalog.

Jacket Notes: In this lushly illustrated introduction to butterflies, a young girl volunteers with her mother to join the annual Fourth of July butterfly count on a prairie restoration project founded by her great-great-grandmother. A short guide to some commonly found butterflies and notes on watching and attracting butterflies are included.

This book was recommended by Children’s Specialist, Linda Williams.  To receive monthly reading recommendations for preschoolers, as well as library information and craft ideas, sign up for our eNewsletter, Raising Readers.

Saturday, June 21, 2-5 pm
Hemphill Library, 2301 West Vandalia Rd.

For Buggy Crafts you can do at home, try these websites:

Danielle’s Place of Crafts and Activities

Fun Bug Crafts for Kids

Insect Crafts and Projects

Summer Reading: Bugs of the World – Spiders @ Glenwood Branch 6/18/08

Originally uploaded by Greensboro Public Library

At Bugs of the World this week, we learned about spiders and heard an Anansi story from the Ashanti people of Africa. We then made our very own Anansis that could fly. Afterwards, we watched a short Anansi film.

Greensboro Public Library’s recommended books for babies, toddler’s and preschoolers

Recommended Reading for Children and their Families

Education World’s Summer Reading List arranged by grade level

Books About Bugs