SPECIAL TO THE REPORTER

The Albert L. Scott Library in Alabaster offered plenty to do during Spring Break for Shelby County students.

The library held &8220;BOOK BASH: Earth Day&8221; on April 16, featuring Charles Tortorici, a Birmingham poet, songwriter and musician. He entertained his young audience with poems and songs that were a mix of originals and well-known works.

Children were encouraged to sing along with him during the interactive program, while he played the guitar and harmonica. They learned about water sheds and Chief Seattle and heard the story of Johnny Appleseed set to music. Tortorici also recited &8220;Daybreak in Alabama&8221; by Langston Hughes.

Each family received cookies, environmental coloring books and a copy of Tortorici&8217;s new CD, Thicket Dweller Tales.

Children also came April 17 to celebrate National Library Week. They shared their own stories during the Kids Share-A-Story program and studied library books about writing, including Write Your Own Mystery Story, What Do Authors Do? and Write It Down: A Girl&8217;s Guide to Keeping a Journal. They also made butterfly crafts, discussed Earth Day and helped youth services