Safari Greg and his menagerie of exotic animals return to the Brentwood Library next Tuesday.

Almost 1000 children reading their way through summer
Brentwood Home Page staff reports
A diapered red kangaroo reigns as the biggest hit of the summer so far with young audiences at the Brentwood Library but children’s librarian Missy Dillingham expects that Safari Greg and his menagerie of exotic animals may displace the marsupial next Tuesday.

The library’s Summer Reading Program is well past its half-way point and only three special performances remain before it all comes to a close Aug. 21. That’s the deadline for kids to turn in their reading logs to collect their prizes.

“In our program it isn’t who reads the most but who completes their goal that they set at the beginning of the summer,” Dillingham explained. “We have already had 58 readers and 22 listeners turn in their logs and pick up prizes.”

That means 906 readers have yet to return with their logs. That’s right -- 986 children registered for the 2011 program.

In addition to reading, Dillingham said the arts, writing and other small classes have been full all season. “We feel like it’s gone really well,” she said. “It’s been a big success.”

The three remaining free performances include:

The Wild Goose Chase Theatre today at 1 p.m. Designed for audiences ages 5 and up, A Wild Goose Chase! transports the audience to a world filled with whimsical images created from shadow puppets.

On Tuesday, July 26, Safari Greg returns with his Urban Safari show which traditionally is the biggest show of the summer, Dillingham said. Safari Greg will bring animals, perform magic tricks and throw in a little comedy – all with the goal of helping kids learn.

“The Balloon Kid” Anthony Lena, a library favorite, will create balloon sculptures for all ages at 1 p.m. Thursday, July 28.

“Bob with the Natural History Education Company has had the largest attendance, but magicians Rodney Kelly and Ron Mayhew have also drawn large crowds,” Dillingham said. “In June, Mr. Bond Science Guy and Roger Day were our most well attended.  It has been a big summer; even the Irish Step dancers drew over 100 in attendance.”

The free performances and Summer Reading programs are supported by the Friends of the Brentwood Library through proceeds from its quarterly book sales. The summer sale opens Thursday. Sale hours are 11 a.m.-7p.m. Thursday; 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Friday; and 10 a.m. -5 p.m. Saturday.

The library is located at 8109 Concord Road.