First Posted: 1/8/2015
WEST PITTSTON — Exploding ninja stars, used dental floss magnified a thousand times, attempts at breaking world records and a book about undesirable but necessary bodily functions were sources of laughter and learning on Tuesday night during the “Dangerous and Disgusting” event at the West Pittston Library.
Summer Belles of West Pittston has been the Youth Services Coordinator at the library for five years, and she organized the gathering as part of an ongoing series of events designed to make reading more fun for children. Her programs have dealt with subjects as diverse and constructive as arts and crafts, physical fitness and history.
“I’m open to anything, you know, anything that’s going to get the kids into the library,” she said.
Every month during the fall and winter seasons, Belles holds a science-based “Library Laboratory” or “Lib Lab” for short. The activities include conducting experiments and mixing concoctions, and they are popular, drawing many of the same kids to every session.
Belles ties reading into each affair at the library by selecting books related to the specific subject matter of each gathering. She puts those books on display, alludes to them as the activities are going on and encourages kids to check them out at the end of the session.
Tuesday’s “Dangerous and Disgusting” event was considerably more safe and educational than its name suggests. Belles is constantly motivated to do new and interesting things while appealing to all children.
“I wanted to do something spa-related for girls, and I thought, well, if I do something girly, I should do something for boys,” she said.
Belles made a clear point that none of the events are gender-specific, and all children are welcome at all programs.
The turnout on Tuesday night was not what Belles had in mind (there were a few cancellations) but the family that attended was enthusiastic and participated fully. Heather Bocker of West Pittson and her sons, Bryce Bocker, 7, and Alex Chickson, 11, showed up early and ready for dangerous and disgusting fun.
To the mother of two, the library’s programs are important for giving her children a strong sense of community. “We’ve been coming here for years now, since Bryce was little, for ‘Story Time,’ and now he goes to school with Summer’s daughter and they’re best friends. It’s a way to connect with the community around you, that you live in.”
Bryce’s favorite activities of the evening were attempts at breaking world records. Trying to spin a coin for longer than anyone ever had before, building the highest stack of coins possible in 30 seconds and attempting to type the alphabet backwards on an iPad in under two minutes were not dangerous activities per se, but they were fun. No Guiness world records were broken, but Bryce is confident that he will break one someday.
Alex found the exploding ninja stars to be the most enjoyable task. Assembling a star out of five popsicle sticks by interweaving them proved to be a daunting task during construction, but the explosion upon throwing them brought joy to everyone’s faces.
Belles made a point to work in educational elements during an exercise where they boys looked at everyday objects under a microscope. She showed them used dental floss complete with enlarged bacteria. When they realized what it was, she reminded them of the importance of flossing regularly.
Both brothers moved hurriedly to the book display when Belles announced the relevant titles for the evening. “Farts, Vomit and Other Functions that Help Your Body,” “It’s Disgusting and We Ate It,” and “Crust and Spray” were some of the available volumes. Bryce left with “Grossology,” and Alex checked out two books titled “A Drop of Blood” and “The Magic School Bus Inside the Human Body.” All of the selections were educational, geared toward children and provoked the desired interest in disgusting knowledge.
On this particular evening, Belles had the participation of two boys who are regulars at her library and programs, but she hosted as if she had a room full of new kids.
“We want to pull in those kids that aren’t readers too, so we have things like this to attract them, to get them in the library and around books, and then, maybe, they’ll see something that will spark their interest while they’re here … and hopefully catch the reading bug.”
