February School Vacation Week Fun @ the Library!

February School Vacation Week at the Dover Public Library kicks off with a family-friendly classical music concert on Saturday, February 23 at 11am. Selections from Franz Schubert, performed by pianists Naho Bessho and Ichiko Harju, cellist Gary Hodges, bassist Ken Godel, violinist Melissa Waterhouse, violist Sally Wituszynski, and soprano Sharon Baker, will entertain all ages during this 45-minute free concert, specially designed to enthrall even the youngest child! 

  

     Then at 2pm on the 23rd, the room will transform into a movie theater for a free showing of 13 animated short films from Pixar (run time: 54 minutes).  This collection features “The Adventures of Wally B.”, “Luxo Jr.”, “Red’s Dream”, “Knick Knack”, “Boundin’”, “Jack-Jack Attack”, “One Man Band”, and “Lifted”. It also includes Oscar-winning shorts “Tin Toy”, “Geri’s Game”, and “For the Birds”. “Monsters Inc.”’s Mike shows up in “Mike’s New Car”, while a certain beloved truck from “Cars” makes an appearance in “Mater and the Ghostlight”.

     Children of all ages are invited to make a “Dancing Dragon” at the Make-it, Take-it Craft Table in the Children’s Room from Monday, February 25 through Saturday, March 2.  All materials will be provided.

     On Tuesday, February 26 at 10 am, actress, writer, and puppeteer Nicola McEldowney will perform “Ferdinand”, a puppet show based on the heart-warming children’s tale The Story of Ferdinand by Munro Leaf.  The story is about a sweet-natured bull named Ferdinand who’d rather smell the flowers than lock horns with other bulls and fight. 

 Nicola, a graduate of Columbia University, studied theater at Sorbonne-Nouvelle University in Paris.  In 2011 she was commissioned by Columbia’s Department of East Asian Languages and Cultures to create their first-ever departmental puppet show, for which she was awarded a Gatsby Charitable Foundation Arts Grant.  Sponsored by The Friends of the Dover Public Library, Nicola’s performance is free and open to the public.

     A “Drop-in” Story Time will be held in the library’s Lecture Hall on Wednesday, February 27 at 9:30 am.  All are welcome to attend this session of stories, songs, and finger plays chosen for 3-5 year-olds.

     On Thursday, February 28 at 10am the Library will screen Pixar Short Films, Volume 2, which includes 12 short films, including Academy Award nominees "Presto," "Day & Night," "La Luna," and a host of family favorites (run time: 75 minutes). Join us for this celebration of imagination packed with unforgettable animation, fantastic stories and captivating characters. All the Pixar shorts are rated G.

     And don’t forget to utilize the library’s museum membership passes (allowing free or discounted admission) contributed by the Friends of the Library.  Passes for a total of 15 area museums are available, but five of these will especially appeal to children:  The Children’s Museum of New Hampshire right here in Dover, the McAuliffe-Shepard Discovery Center in Concord, the Museum of Science and New England Aquarium in Boston, and the Seacoast Science Center in Rye.  Dover Public Library cardholders may reserve a pass by calling the Children’s Room at 516-6052.