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Spring break fun: Forsyth libraries offering programs
spring

Where to go

* Cumming Library, 585 Dahlonega Road
* Hampton Park Library, 5345 Settingdown Road
* Post Road Library, 5010 Post Road
* Sharon Forks, 2820 Old Atlanta Road

* Contact: (770) 781-9840

FORSYTH COUNTY -- Spring break is often associated with getaways and beaches, but not everyone leaves town for the week.

For families planning a staycation the week public schools are on break April 4-8, the Forsyth County Public Library is offering more than three dozen free programs for children and teens to keep students — and even some adults — occupied.

Following are some of the programs scheduled at any of the four public libraries during spring break.

A visit with the author

Joey Weiser, author and illustrator of the “Mermin” graphic novels and a contributor to “SpongeBob Comics,” will read an excerpt from his work and hold a drawing demonstration for students in third through sixth grades.

The event will be held in the Hampton Park Library at 2:30 p.m. April 6. Advance registration is requested.

Character visits, animals and puppet shows

Pete the Cat, a beloved children’s book character, will visit each library branch throughout the week for “I Like My Stories: A Groovy Pete the Cat Storytime.”

Children attending will hear Pete stories, sing songs, make cat-tastic crafts and enjoy a visit from Pete.

Visits will take place at the Cumming Library on April 7, at the Hampton Park Library and the Sharon Forks Library on April 8, and at the Post Road Library on April 9.

Spring is the time for butterflies, and there will be two opportunities to learn about the animal throughout the month.

Post Road will hold “Monarchs and Milkweed” at 11:15 a.m. April 4 to get a preview of the library’s Monarch caterpillar enclosure and learn about their life cycle and migration.

Elementary-age students can also make a butterfly craft and plant butterfly-friendly seeds in the library’s garden.

Visit Hampton Park throughout April to watch a group of caterpillars transform into butterflies.

Students can also go “Batty About Bats” at 11 a.m. April 4 in the Sharon Forks Library and at 2:30 p.m. in the Hampton Park Library as they meet different species of bats and learn about their habits with wildlife educator Vicky Beckham Smith.

Puppetpalooza, an over-the-top series of puppet shows, will also be held at each library throughout the week.

Movie screenings

Libraries are not just for books.

Movies will play on the big screen in surround sound throughout the week, starting with Disney’s “Winnie the Pooh” (2011, rated G) at the Cumming Library at 11 a.m. April 4.

Parents can bring their own little minions to the “Minions” (2015, rated PG) Movie Parties at the Post Road Library at 1:15 p.m. April 6 or at 2 p.m. April 7 at Sharon Forks.

Peter Pan fans can pack a picnic lunch, blankets and pillow for a showing of “Pan” (2015, rated PG) at a family movie picnic event at 11:15 a.m. April 8 in the Post Road Library.

Touch a Truck and more family fun

Truck and other vehicles from the Forsyth County Fire Department and Sawnee EMC will be on display for kids of all ages at the Post Road Library from 1:15 to 3 p.m. April 5.

After exploring the vehicles, kids can stop inside the library to make a things-that-go craft.

The Forsyth County Sheriff’s Office will visit the Cumming Library at 3:15 p.m. April 4 to discuss stranger danger with kids ages 4-8.

Crafty kids ages 9-12 can learn to crochet and knit simple, colorful projects to keep at Kids Crochet at the Cumming Library at 2 p.m. April 5.

Elementary-age kids in third-fifth grades can stop by the Cumming Library at 10:30 a.m. April 6 to make a disaster preparedness kit with the American Red Cross’s Pillowcase Project.

“Drumming for Success” will get you in the rhythm when Arvin Scott visits the Hampton Park Library at 2:30 p.m. April 5.

This program is part of the library’s One World Forsyth series and will offer participants of all ages the chance to try out different percussion instruments and learn basic drum patterns.

Bring your game face and see if you can complete wacky stunts like balancing a stack of dice on a popsicle stick at the Minute to Win It Challenge at the Sharon Forks Library at 2 p.m. April 5.

Libraries will remain open on a regular schedule throughout the week, including always-available digital materials.
For more information or to register for the Joey Weiser event, visit http://goo.gl/JmjrQu.