Summer Camp

I'm posting the information and registration for Chapters' annual summer camp on our website tomorrow.  We decided to try something a little different this year--and hope it works!

In past years, we've scheduled activities for preschoolers in the morning and elementary school kids in the afternoon, with a few sessions for middle schoolers and adults throughout the week.  This year the age categories will be more flexible, with some sessions even open to everyone ages 4-104.  We're hoping the younger participants will inspire the older ones, and the older ones will help the younger ones.  Most activities are individually adaptable.  Four year olds participating in the session on making picture books, for instance, can dictate and illustrate a short, simple story.  Older participants can write longer stories.  OR, an adult and child can collaborate on a joint story.  Parents or grandparents and kids can participate together--but they don't have to. 

Not all sessions are for everyone.  Age limits are listed for those that may be too challenging for preschoolers or too simple for older kids.

Highlights of this year's camp include a storytime with a special guest to be named later; a SKYPE visit with author Sheila Turnage, whose first novel, Three Times Lucky, is a quirky murder mystery for ages 10 and up; a book making lesson with Anna Meyer; and a "Science of the Night" presentation with a Mad Scientist.

Download the brochure tomorrow from http://www.sewardchapters.com/ for all the details!

Ted Kooser/Michael Forsberg Event

Ted Kooser has a new picture book coming out March 27, 2012, from Candlewick Press, titled House Held Up By Trees.  It was inspired by a house near Garland that Ted came across while walking in the country, an abandoned house that had trees growing through it.  The house happens to be on land owned by Hank and Shannon Newburn.  And it also happens to be of interest to photographer Michael Forsberg, who has set up cameras there to catch images of the animals who live or hunt in the old house.

I love working with Ted because he's willing to "think outside the box" and try something unconventional.  So, when his new book is released, Chapters is going to have a signing and reading.  BUT, it's not going to be your ordinary bookstore signing event!  We're taking the event on the road!  The Newburns have agreed to allow us to host a signing at the house that inspired Ted to write this book.  Even better, Michael Forsberg will be there, too.  Mark your calendar for Saturday, March 31 at 1:00 p.m., and we'll tell you later how to find the house.

Yes, we know it's risky planning an outdoor event for March 31 in Nebraska.  That's why we have a backup plan.  If the weather doesn't cooperate, we'll have a slideshow and reading at Chapters' store in Seward.  Stay tuned for more details as the date approaches.