By SHARON NICHOLSON

The Questa Public Library closed the book on the 2021 Summer Reading Program, “Tales and Tails,” with a party on July 14. Fifty children attended at least one of the 17 summer sessions. Assistant Librarian Laura Vallejos crafted programs from “tailed” characters in some of our books: mice, a Gruffalo (you may check the book out to find out about the Gruffalo!), a giraffe, the library lion, a book hog named Wolfie, an emu, and northern New Mexico’s own Chris P. Bacon!

Our special guests were golden newts, a lizard, a snake, and a skunk, all from the Cheyenne Mountain Zoo. An unconventional rooster accompanied Christina Masoliver, and from our neighbors at Virsylvia Farm, we welcomed three baby goats. Our friends from Twirl in Taos brought creative fun to us on two of our days, and our special magician from Pueblo, CO amazed us once again—performer Beth Epley was wonderful fun!

The final day included gifts, prizes, pizza, and ice cream… and the drawing for one of seven brand new donated bikes. To be eligible for the drawing, a child only had to read! And they did read—the staff kept busy checking books out every day. The happy winners went home with brand new bikes! Not to be forgotten, the children who didn’t win a bike received a gift certificate for yummy food for their efforts from the Wildcat’s Den. The donation of seven bikes to the Questa Reading Program was arranged by John Walsh, 5th grade teacher at Alta Vista Elementary. Thanks, John, you helped make our summer program a winner!

Watch the Questa Del Rio News for more fun from the Questa Library.