The small New England town (2,000) in which I spent my childhood celebrated the 4th of July in a big way --everyone was either in or watching the parade. All the fire engines (2), veterans, scout troops, regional high school band, bagpipers, brass bands, antique cars, horse riders, kids on decorated bikes, hay wagons full of kids and assorted volunteers and dogs created a delightfully eclectic parade along Main Street.

When it was over we went home to light firecrackers, snappers, snakes and cherry bombs, supervised of course. In the evening friends joined us for a picnic of hot dogs, hamburgs, potato salad, cabbage salad and watermelon. At dusk we kids ran around with sparklers shouting "Happy Birthday America!" while the moms sat in chairs and the men laid out the rocket fireworks. The evening of the 4th was topped off with spectacular displays shot into the sky. It was happening in backyards all over town.

We knew we were celebrating our country's independence from the British although as children we were yet to develop a deep understanding of how momentous, in the grand scale of world history, was the birth of the American experiment of a government answerable to the people instead of the reverse.

It's our 247th Birthday this year and we citizens find ourselves in a state of rowdy disagreement, nothing new there. We need our 4th of July to join together to honor our BIRTHDAY. I just re-read our Declaration of Independence. It's very forthright and interesting. Check it out! and while you're at it, tour the National Archives website. It's a great resource for refreshing our early history.

Hie thee to the library for kids books on the Declaration of Independence and American Revolution. Ask a librarian for help! They're ready for you!

ALL CAMPS pdf ~ The Library's Summer Reading Program 2023

“What are you reading this summer?” I asked my teacher friend. ”Some children’s books I somehow missed in my youth,” she replied. Here’s her list, which she credits this PBS article for inspiring her:

Octagon Magic by Andre Norton - An orphan girl meets the inhabitants of the mysterious Octagon House—and discovers a portal to America’s past—from the Gandalf Grand Master of Fantasy. Series, Ages 10-15

Ellen Tebbits by Beverly Cleary - Cleary's heroines are normal little girls who make mistakes, get dirty, tear their clothes and hurt other people's feelings without meaning to. They also get upset and learn from getting the corners knocked off their tidy existences sometimes. Ages 6-11

Willy Bear by Mildred Kantrowitz - "On the eve of his first day at school, a child projects some of his uneasiness onto his teddy bear, Willy." Ages 4-6

The Borrowers by Mary Norton - "This is the classic story--read and loved by children all over the world--of Pod, Homily, and their daughter, Arrietty, who live under the kitchen floor in a quiet, half-empty house and get their livelihood by borrowing from the "human beans." Series, Ages 6-11

The Outsiders by S.E. Hinton - "The Outsiders is a dramatic and enduring work of fiction that laid the groundwork for the YA genre. S. E. Hinton's classic story of a boy who finds himself on the outskirts of regular society remains as powerful today as it was the day it was first published." Teens 13+

The Youth Chess Tournament follows a competitive yet friendly format, allowing kids to test their skills against other players of similar age and experience levels. Participants will compete in various rounds, with each round consisting of a single chess game against another participant. The tournament will have different categories or age groups to ensure fair competition and a suitable level of challenge for each player.

Refreshments and Snacks will be provided in an A/C cooled environment.

Saturday, July 1, 12 – 5pm, Ages 6-18, Registration is required: https://santacruzpl.libcal.com/event/10768938