Cole Library’s first big summer reading program was “Tails and Tales,” a storytime run by the National Mississippi River Museum and Aquarium from Dubuque.
Bailey, a staff member from the museum, read the book “Turtle’s Race With Beaver” by James Bruchac and Joseph Bruchac.
The story tells a fable about the importance of sharing, as beaver and turtle co-exist in the same pond. While turtle is sleeping in the winter, beaver builds a dam that drastically impacts the water level in the pond, and changing the pond turtle has known and loved. The duo hold a race to determine who will claim the pond.
“A fable is a story that teaches us a lesson,” Bailey said.
After the story, Bailey spoke about some of the attributes of the two main characters in the story, the beaver and the turtle.
She asked participants to say what they know about beavers.
Attendees noted that beavers have large tails, they like to chew down trees and wood, and built habitats along bodies of water.
Bailey said one of the reasons beavers are always chewing on trees and tree branches is to help trim down their teeth, which are constantly growing, along with using the branches or trees to make their dams.
Beavers have two coats of fur. The exterior layer is shiny because of oil and other elements that coat the hair, while the inner layer is thick and fuzzy, used to help keep them warmer in colder months.
To get into a dam, beavers have to travel under water to get to the entrances, better to protect themselves from others who want to gain entrance into the home.
When it comes to turtles, Bailey showed off the shell of an alligator snapping turtle, and talked about how that exterior shell protects turtles from predators.
They feed on an omnivorous diet, including fruits, vegetables, insects and invertebrates like worms.
She also showed off Scarlet, a turtle that resides at the museum.
Next up was a bearded dragon.
Bailey pointed out one of the defense mechanisms of the bearded lizard was the spikes along her back, and changing color on portions of her body to reflect black. Items you find in deserts that have black coloring usually indicate the animal is venomous or poisonous.
Capilla, the bearded dragon, also has an omnivorous diet, including a lot of bugs, and vegetables.
“One of her favorite foods to eat is blueberries,” Bailey said.
The last animal presented was a corn snake. Bailey said the snake is usually located in states like Florida, Louisiana and Georgia.
As she was speaking, the corn snake kept trying to climb to the top of her head.
“He’s seeking out the warmest spot on my body, which would be my head,” Bailey said.
Attendees then had a chance to pet the snake at the conclusion of the event.