The LaSalle Parish Library held its third weekly Summer Reading Program on Friday, June 12, with guest performer Rob Thomas, for the Didgeridoo Down Under Show.

Laughter and joy filled the room as children learned the unique and creative history of the instrument called the Didgeridoo. Children also received a broader understanding of the history of the instrument, as well as stories of the country it’s native to, Australia.

Thomas is from Santa Fe, New Mexico but lived in Australia for many years, which is where he learned about the didgeridoo. With him he had a variety of the instrument, including some made from cardboard and some he made himself.

Didgeridoos are an instrument used by the Aboriginal people of Australia for over one thousand years to create music and tell stories. The noises range from serene and mimicking nature to abrupt and chaotic sounds. Not only was the history of the instrument shared, but unique facts about the country of Australia itself, or as Thomas referred to it, “the land down under.”

During his performance, he called up multiple volunteers from the crowd to help him make rhythms and dance as he played. The children enthusiastically played the oldest instrument in the world, supplied by Thomas – the stick.

Thomas also took time to inform the audience that Australia is home to many of the world’s largest and most unique species. Animals like the echidna, platypus, kangaroo, emu, and the now extinct Tasmanian tiger all are native to the continent. Thomas used plush animals to educate the children about each of these critters in a fun and interactive way.

Thomas ended the show by explaining the importance of caring for our environment and planet. His encouragement can be summed up by the simple phrase, “Reduce, Reuse, and Recycle.”

PHOTOS ON THIS PAGE BY Melissa Stroud and Kayley McCarty

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