The LaSalle Parish Library’s Summer Reading Program continued last Friday with a visit from special guest Johnette Downing, author and musician from New Orleans, LA.

Everyone at the Jena and Olla libraries enjoyed a toe-tapping good time during the program as Downing led kids and adults in several sing-a-longs that combine her love of music, literature and Louisiana.

Through song, children took an adventure across Louisiana, singing of famous places, delicious cuisine and well-known animals. Children clapped like alligators and played dead like a possum on their journey through the boot state.

This Friday, the Summer Reading Program continues as the Jena library location will welcome Debra Jo and Tommy Hailey presenting “Pair-a-Docs” at 10 a.m. These longtime educators combine magic, music and movement for an exciting and educating experience! Also this Friday, the Olla library location will host seasoned storyteller Rosa Metoyer presenting “Butter Bean Tales.”

Next week, these performers will “trade places” as Rosa will appear at the Jena branch at 10 a.m. and the Haileys at the Olla location at 2 p.m.

Children of all ages are invited to attend each Summer Reading Program event and all programs are free of charge. In addition, each child who attends the event is entered into a drawing for prizes.

During the month of June, all Friday programs and special entertainers are provided in collaboration with the McKinney Vento’s Federal Grant through the LaSalle Parish School Board.

As the Summer Reading Program winds down, the LaSalle Parish Library wants to remind all children to read this summer and will be offering special prizes, including gift certificates, for children who read the most.

Special sheets are provided to children where parents and guardians can mark how many minutes their children read during the summer. Grand prizes will be awarded during end of the year school events to those who log the most minutes.

For more information, please contact the LaSalle Parish Library at (318) 992-5675, visit them on Facebook at LaSalle Parish Library, or at www.lasalle.lib.la.us.