Tails & Tales Photo Contest
Grades 5 through 12 only please.
Submit an original photo of an animal for a chance to win a gift card. Subjects can be a pet, on a farm, in the wild, or even stuffed. Just get creative and have fun! Submit up to one photo in three different categories: Tails & Tales; Champions; and Unique
Rules & Details:
Participants must be entering grades 5 through 12 in the fall of 2021.
All entries must be participant’s own, original photographs.
Photos may be manipulated for artistic purposes.
Entries will be judged in three categories: Tails & Tales, Champions, Unique
Participants may submit up to one photo in each of the three categories.
All categories are open for interpretation.
Composition, originality, and technique will be considered in judging.
Deadline for all entries is Monday, August 2, 2021.
Two winners will be chosen in each of the three categories.
Winners will be announced on Friday, August 6, 2021.
Winners must be available to pick up prizes at the Dexter District Library by Saturday, September 4.
Photo entries will be posted in the Library’s Teen Zone and on the Library’s website.
All entries must be emailed to the teen librarian at dalson@dexter.lib.mi.us and must include the following:
- Participant’s First and Last Name
- Grade Entering this Fall of 2021
- Category for Each Photo Submission
Summer Virtual Story Times
Tuesdays at 10:30 am on Facebook Live
June 22 – August 10
Toddlers and Preschoolers
Visit the Library from your living room! Ms. Krista will be singing familiar songs, telling stories, and demonstrating fun action rhymes every week on Tuesday at 10:30 am.
Super Stories Book Club
For children of all ages
Thursdays at 11:00 am on Facebook Live
Through Aug. 5
Ms. Krista will read a book related to the Summer Reading Theme: Tails and Tales and then share an activity related to the book that you can try at home. Activities will include science experiments, crafts, games, and STEM challenges.
Page Turner’s 6-week Adventure
Through Friday, Aug. 6
Starting June 28 viewers will journey through the “Once Upon a Time Machine” on our website for virtual adventures based on themes such as farmyard friends,
fish tales, pet pals, celebrity critters, safari stories, and creepy crawlies. There are five days of programming for each weekly theme which includes professionally produced shows, author interviews, virtual field trips, guest performers, crafts, recipes, contests, games, and much more. Registration is not required.
Username: DDL
Password: summer2021
Juggling Workshop
Grades 4 through 12
Through Friday, Aug. 6
Learn to juggle with the help of Page Turner Adventures.
Follow along at your own pace and learn how to make your own juggling balls.
Recommended supplies: Three scarves, three plastic bags OR three small bean bags.
Available at: http://dexter.lib.mi.us/juggling
Username: DDL
Password: summer2021
Ukulele for Fun
Grades 4 through 12
Hudson Music Center staff will provide two 45-minute beginner classes. Learn basic chords, strumming patterns and songs. Need an ukulele? The Library has several for check out!
Sign up for each session you will be attending.
Registration begins on June 1.
Zoom details will be emailed to participants prior to the event.
Wednesday, July 28 at 1:00 pm to 1:45 pm
Fourth of July Craft Bags
Thursday, July 1 – Saturday, July 3
For kids of all ages
Pick up a bag of fun patriotic and summer themed crafts.
No registration required
While supplies last
Limit 5 per family
Ice Cream Social for Dexter Library Card Holders
Friday, July 2 from 11 am – 1 pm
Show your Dexter District Library card and receive FREE ice cream – located between the Library and the Farmers Market.
Take & Make craft bags full of fun patriotic and summer-themed crafts also available, while supplies last.
Faux Calligraphy
Wednesday, July 7
1:00 to 2:00 pm
Grades 5 through 12
Registration is required and begins Tuesday, June 1.
Zoom details will be emailed to participants prior to the event.
Learn how to create fun and fancy lettering without the fancy tools. Follow along in this beginner’s class and, with a little practice, you’ll be amazed at how quickly you can begin to master this art.
Recommended supplies: Sharpie fine point and extra fine point pens, pencil, eraser, paper and ruler
How to Draw Wacky Animals!
Friday, July 9 at 11:00 am
Learn to draw your own fun and wacky animal characters! In this one-hour Zoom workshop, follow local artist and teacher Claudia Selene on a journey from basic shapes to cuddly characters! Once we get the basics down, we will add embellishments, accessories and colors. We will also practice making expressive eyes and other key features. Open to kids in grades K to 4, and imaginative parents. Registration is required on the Dexter District Library’s website. A Zoom link will be sent to registered participants before Friday, July 9.
Suggested materials:
- Pencils
- Erasers
- Drawing paper or blank copy paper
- Crayons, markers or colored pencils
Let’s Play Chess
Grades 4 through 12
Sign up for each session you will be attending.
Registration begins on Monday, June 14. Zoom details will be emailed to participants prior to the event.
Monday, July 12 @ 11:00 am to 12:00 pm
Monday, July 19 @ 11:00 am to 12:00 pm
Monday, July 26 @ 11:00 am to 12:00 pm
Learn to play chess or brush up on your skills with long-time chess teacher Ray Garrison, owner of Arbor Chess (arborchess.com), and have fun with tournament-style play. Attendees will need to create their own free account on lichess.org before class begins. Need a chess set? The Library has several for check out!
Animal Yoga Poses for Kids
Friday, July 16 at 11:00 am
Yoga is such a fun way to explore all the different creatures in the animal kingdom. Kids in grades K to 4 are invited to join Sue from Breathe Yoga to learn the many different poses named after animals as we mindfully move, breathe and make shapes with our bodies. Yoga builds strength in the body and calms the mind, allowing us to find great joy in the moment and feel healthy, happy and connected to ourselves and others. Come and play the yoga way! Registration is required. A Zoom link will be sent to registered participants before Friday, July 16.
Cactus Pet Rocks
Grades 5 through 12
Registration: Monday, June 14 through Monday, July 12
Pick Up: Friday, July 16 through Saturday, July 24
Life is so much better with a pet. Make this fun craft and you’ll never be lonely again.
Draw Creative Creatures
Tuesday, July 20
1:00 to 2:00 pm
Grades 5 through 12
Registration is required and begins Monday, June 21.
Zoom details will be emailed to participants prior to the event.
Join Illustrator Corinne Roberts for more drawing tips and techniques as she focuses on a variety of fun, creative creatures.
Recommended supplies: pencil, eraser, paper
Walking Up the Food Chain
Wednesday, July 21 at 11:00
Together, kids in grades K to 4 and Ann Arbor Hands-On Museum, will construct a live food chain as the kids meet a raptor, reptile, amphibian, arachnid, and an insect. Along the way we discuss how these animals’ lives are connected and learn about the delicate balance that allows them to survive both individually and together as wildlife who share a habitat.
Registration is required. Space is limited. Please only sign up if you plan to attend. Registration deadline is Sunday, July 18. Digital supplies and a Zoom link will be emailed to registered participants before Wednesday, July 21.
All Star Readers Book Club
Grades 3 – 4
All Star Readers Book Club will meet two times this summer to discuss books virtually on Zoom. We’ll play an icebreaker game, discuss the book, and do an activity related to the book we discuss. Books will be available to pick up at the library after you register.
Thursday, July 22, 1:00 – 2:00 pm on Zoom
Book: A Wolf Called Wander by Rosanne Parry
Registration begins Thursday, June 24
Dinosaur Tales
Friday, July 30 at 11:00 am
Dinosaurs lived a long, long time ago. Kids in Pre-K to grade 1 are invited to learn about these fascinating prehistoric creatures as we observe and touch real fossils, build our own fossil model, and make a dinosaur tail to wear. You will even design and build your own dinosaur!
Registration is required. Space is limited. Please only sign up if you plan to attend. Registration deadline is Sunday, July 25. Supplies will be available for registered participants to pick up beginning Monday, July 26. A Zoom link will be emailed before Friday, July 30.
Jitter Critters
Friday, July 30 at 1:00 pm
No need to get the jitters as you create your own critter! Kids in grades 2 to 5 are invited to use their artistic abilities and engineering skills to design and create their own battery-powered critter equipped with a vibrating motor. Registration is required. Space is limited. Please only sign up if you plan to attend. Registration deadline is Sunday, July 25. Supplies will be available for registered participants to pick-up beginning Monday, July 26. A Zoom link will be emailed before Friday, July 30.
Basic Watercolor Painting
Wednesday, August 4
12:00 to 1:00 pm
Grades 5 through 12
Registration: Monday, June 21 through Saturday, July 24.
Pick Up: Wednesday, July 28 through Tuesday, August 3.
With detailed instructions, paint a giraffe with artist Linda M. Polo and learn the tips and techniques of basic watercolor.
For those attending the Zoom class, instructions will be emailed on how to pick up supplies.
Summer Reading Program Wrap-Up
Friday, August 6 at 11:00 am
Wrap up this year’s Summer Reading Program with Professor Snoopenheimer, a professional snooper-outer of mysteries, as he snoops out “Kooky Kryptids!” What, exactly, is a “kryptid?” Well it’s a misspelled “cryptid” which is an animal or creature that is reported, but not proven to exist… like Big Foot. In the show, kids will learn about some “real” cryptids and then meet their kooky kousins, like Big Foot’s kousin “Big Ear,” a little furry juggler! The show features juggling, comedy, music, mime illusions, cool costumes and lots of kooky fun. But kids will also learn about the great mysteries and adventures that are waiting to be snooped out in a book! Registration is required. A Zoom link will be sent to registered participants before Friday, August 6.
If you’ve completed this year’s Summer Reading Program, pick up your goody bag of surprises beginning Monday, August 2. The Final Prize Drawing will be held on Wednesday, August 18.
End of Summer Craft Grab Bags
Tuesday, August 24 – Tuesday, August 31
For kids of all ages
Pick up a mystery bag full of a variety of crafts. No registration required. While supplies last. Limit 5 per family
