More Libraries adventures

The Smithsonian Early Enrichment Center kindergartners are at it again! Under the initiative of master teacher Josh Beasley, the children are sleuthing their way around the Smithsonian, uncovering mysteries and facts for their “Real and Pretend Libraries” school year theme. the Libraries has teamed up with Beasley and the kindergartners for the 2009-2010 academic year to promote learning, creativity and knowledge interactively way through various library and museum spaces.

On Friday, November 13, Libraries' staff Mary Augusta Thomas, Elizabeth Periale and Liz O’Brien joined the kindergartners on a quest at the Sackler Gallery. The Sackler’s giant, wooden “wardrobe” provided the perfect backdrop for discovery.

Beasley began by presenting Arcimboldo's 16th century painting “The Librarian” to the class, while vividly telling a self-created fairy tale incorporating the painting’s protagonist: a magician who manifests his bodily form into a large stack of rare books.

Thomas surprised the children by sharing her intricate pop-up book Châteaux forts: La vie au Moyen Age by Robert Sabuda and Matthew Reinhart, a depiction of life in a medieval castle.

Periale read from her favorite children’s book, D'Aulaire's Book of Greek Myths, which has inspired her own art and design work. The audience was captivated and the stakes were high as the children asked many questions and shared personal thoughts and insights about the images and books.

This was just one of many Libraries-inspired excursions for the kindergarten class. Stay on the look-out for more updates of this active class!