The Deptford library will host an event designed for kids in grades kindergarten through second with its weekly Cooking Club Jr. and Story Time. The next session will take place on Tuesday at 5 p.m.
The two events became one with the start of school earlier this month.
“With the arrival of September, Cooking Club Jr. has become Story Time for Grades K-2,” said children’s librarian Sarah Kramer. “This means that instead of only focusing on food, each weekly class will rotate through a cycle of art, science and cooking activities.”
Kramer noted that one week, participants might read a story about Frida Kahlo, a famous Mexican painter, and paint a portrait in her style. Another week will see kids cooking a variety of foods like microwaved baked apples, or creating a specific craft, such as making a volcano.
The opportunities were originally offered only to older kids, but expanded to include younger ones this summer.
“It was created out of almost a year’s worth of noticing how disappointed kindergarten- through-second graders were when they found out that the Deptford library had a cooking, science and art class, but they were too young for it,” Kramer explained.
When the library tested the program with the younger age group, it received positive feedback from both the kids and their parents.
“We had a tiny taste – no pun intended – in the summer of creating cheese and tomato ladybugs,” noted Kramerm” and then Rice Krispie treats and candy sushi. Both were wildly popular with children and their grownups.”
The Cooking Club Jr. and Story Time program is free but requires registration in advance and completion of a waiver. Register by calling the library at (856) 848-9149 or in person at the library, at 670 Ward Drive. A library card is not required.