July 20, 2011 THE VILLADOM TIMES II • Page 9 Glen Rock Library rocks with world folk tales, percussion by John Koster It was hot outside the Glen Rock Library last week, but inside the atmosphere was warm with appreciation and new understanding as a capacity crowd of pre-teens explored stories of the world with an African flavor and beat. Queen Nur, a storyteller accompanied by percussionist Dwight James, introduced a capacity crowd of children and their parents to the African style of “call-and-response” in singing and storytelling. “When I say ‘Ah-go’ it means “are you ready?” Queen Nur told the children. “When you are ready, you say ‘Ahmeh!” which means “Yes, I am!” “Ah-goh!” Queen Nur said. “Ah-meh!” the crowd of children said in unison. Soon the happy swarm of children went through a whole routine Queen Nur led while she used her awarding-winning vocal and acting skills to bring stories alive. Going through stories from Ghana, Ethiopia, the Mediterranean, China, and North America, Queen Nur had the children chanting, swaying, and smiling right along with her. James, who said he was named for Dwight D. Eisenhower, his father’s commanding officer in World War II, beat out an evocative rhythm with a series of tribal, homemade, and improvised drums. The children, who were as multi-ethnic as the tales, loved every minute of it. Queen Nur’s vividly acted folk tales and James’ hypnotic drumming were one of many featured attractions at the Glen Rock Library on a schedule that formally began on June 27 with some noisy good fun as Jim Vargias, a professional magician, made this sixth return to the library and keep children shrieking with laughter and puzzling over how he did his tricks. On July 11, Joanne Silver hosted a program under the auspices of “Bright & Beautiful” where children could meet and observe docile dogs that are specially trained for hospital therapy and “read to a dog” programs at area libraries. Some of the dogs were scheduled to return for “Paws for Reading” on July 25, Aug. 1 and 8 between 6:30 and 7:30 p.m., so beginning readers may hone their new reading skills to the amiable and non-judgmental dogs, who seem to enjoy the attention and may comprehend the stories better than humans know. In a recent psychological test, a border collie was shown to be able to identify and pick up toys from a pile by name. When a toy the dog had not seen before was left in the heap and requested, the dog located the new toy, apparently by process of elimination. On July 21 at 7 p.m. the Glen Rock Library will offer an Asian Cultural Festival, featuring Indian classical dances performed by children of the Nrtya Sagar Bharatantyan School of Dance. Afterwards the children from the third grade and up may examine traditional Japanese, Korean, and Asian Indian costumes and enjoy origami paper crafts, Japanese name calligraphy, and all natural Middle Eastern henna hand painting. The henna lasts two to three weeks, but the program, sponsors hope, will have a life-long effect. Daytime programs under the supervision of Glen Rock Children’s Librarian Trisha Fishelman include regular scheduled story times for children accompanied by an adult, with registration in advance. “Didgeridoo Down Under,” an introduction to an Australian tribal musical instrument, will be offered on Friday, July 22 at 4:30 p.m. for children entering kindergarten and up, and puppet shows by Glen Rock Girl Scout Troop #1253 will be offered for children ages three and up at 10 a.m. and 2 p.m. On Thursday, July 28, “Tempest Meets Survivor” and Romeo Meets Juliet” will be offered by the Shakespeare Institute. Glen Rock Storytellers will entertain children five and up at 7 p.m. on Aug. 4. The reading club will run through Aug. 12. Visit the library at 315 Rock Road in Glen Rock. Percussionist Dwight James and storyteller Queen Nur