Under normal circumstances, our Park Naturalists and volunteers come to your local library each month to share a story about a native animal and a related craft or activity. However, with the ever-changing circumstances involving the COVID-19 pandemic, Animal Tales maybe become Virtual Animal Tales on any given month.
Please check our Facebook page or your local public library in advance of each month’s program for updates.
- Avon-Washington Township Public Library: (317) 272-4818
- Brownsburg Public Library: (317) 852-3167
- Clayton – Liberty Township Public Library: (317) 539-2991
- Coatesville – Clay Township Public Library: (317) 386-2355
- Danville – Center Township Public Library: (317) 745-2604
- Jamestown – Tri-Area Public Library: (765) 676-6190
- Monrovia branch of Morgan County Public Library: (317) 996-4307
- Plainfield – Guilford Township Public Library: (317) 839-6602
- Roachdale – Franklin Township Public Library: (765) 522-1491
Animal Tales and Virtual Animal Tales are FREE to attend and are most appropriate for preschool to upper elementary age children. Advance registration for in-person Animal Tales is required by contacting your library.
Upcoming Stories
August – Skunk at Hemlock Circle
Children discover that they do not have to travel great distances to see great things as they read about amazing animals, insects, and birds that live in backyards across North America. This book allows the reader to explore an everyday adventure through the eyes of a skunk.
September – Calvin Can’t Fly: The Story of a Bookworm Birdie
Calvin is one unusual starling! While his siblings and cousins learn to fly, this rare bird lets his imagination soar while reading about pirates, dinosaurs, and other fascinating things. The other birds call him “geeky beaky,” but Calvin just ruffles his feathers and buries his beak in a book. Yet, when it comes time to migrate, poor Calvin suddenly realizes he can’t fly! His sisters, brothers, and cousins carry him into the air. But on their way south, the winds blow hard, the trees bend, and the air starts to smell strange. It’s a hurricane, and only Calvin can save the day—because he has read all about it!
October – Raccoons and Ripe Corn
The corn is ripe…and the raccoons are hungry. As the moon rises, a mother raccoon and her two young begin an all–night feast in a cornfield. Acclaimed nature artist Jim Arnosky gives young children an unforgettable wildlife-watching experience.
November – The Busy Little Squirrel
The leaves have started to fall. The air is cold. Squirrel needs to get ready for winter. He cannot nibble with the mice. He does not have time to hop with the frogs or run with the dogs. Will this busy little squirrel ever slow down? Focusing on all the charming features of the fall season, this sweetly illustrated story features country animals, pumpkins, leaves, apples and other signs of autumn.
December – The Giving Tree
Every day, the boy would come to the tree to eat her apples, swing from her branches, or slide down her trunk…and the tree was happy. But as the boy grew older, he began to want more from the tree, and the tree gave and gave. Shel Silverstein has created a moving parable for readers of all ages that offers an affecting interpretation of the gift of giving and a serene acceptance of another’s capacity to love in return.