Carnegie Library reading program encourages children to be themselves

IRONWOOD - Carnegie Library's "Every Hero Has a Story" summer reading program continued Wednesday at Burger King.

Assistant Library Director Lynne Wiercinski read "Hilda Must be Dancing" to a group of children.

Written by Karma Wilson and illustrated by Suzanne Watts, the popular children's book is about a hippo named Hilda who loves to dance. But whether she tangoed, square danced or boogied to the music, Hilda couldn't help but make a lot of noise.

"Ka-bump!Crash! Smash! Thumpity-bump! Boom!"

Eventually, her jungle friends couldn't take it any more and encouraged her to try new hobbies. After knitting and singing didn't do it for her, Hilda's friends recommended swimming. It was a revelation and everyone was happy.

Wiercinski said the book encouraged children to be themselves, no matter what.

"Hilda did what she liked," she said. "If you like something, do it."

After Wiercinski finished reading, she and the children danced to the "Freeze."

Every time the music stopped playing, the dancers had to freeze. Soon the music was started again, and so did the dancing.

Later, the children did an arts and crafts project, making their own hippos with paper plates, paper, glue and crayons.