Weldon Memorial Library’s summer reading program kicked off today with a talk from Sylvan Heights Waterfowl Park and an introduction to animals ranging from the creepy to the cuddly.

The summer reading program has been a mainstay at the library for more than 20 years, said Jane Richardson, children’s librarian in Halifax, Weldon and Littleton.

“This year’s theme is Dig into Reading,” said Weldon Librarian LaTarsha Thomas-Debro. “We’re going to dig into reading, dig into writing, storytelling and family history.”

(The entire series of photos may be found on our Facebook or Google + pages)

Today was about digging into the animal kingdom with Lee Peoples of Sylvan Heights.

While the park is well known for its rare waterfowl, Peoples explained to the children, “We have animals that you won’t see. We have everything from birds to reptiles.”

Peoples explained that all animals, whether creepy or cuddly have a purpose and share the same resources as humans. “Their shelter may be a turtle shell or a cavity in a tree — all the things you and I need to survive, like shelter, food and water.”

The cockroaches.

In the creepy category Peoples showed the children the Madagascar hissing cockroach, which thrives in the rainforest. While generally considered pests in the United States, the hissing cockroach feeds on fallen leaves, keeping them from piling up and its waste serves as fertilizer for the trees.

Amidst gasps and recoils from children and adults alike, Peoples brought out a corn snake and explained the corn snake is often called the farmer’s friend because it kills rodents such as mice and rats.

(See related video at the end of story for a sound bite on the snake)

Peoples showed the children a dove, the white-faced whistling tree duck and a Coscoroba swan signet.

The library’s summer reading program runs each Wednesday from 10 to noon and all children are welcome, Debro said.

A child pets the duck.

The schedule is as follows:

July 3 — Storyteller Fred Motley.

July 10 — Delicious dirt, with a focus on planting flowers in memory of librarian Sherry Altizer and Weldon Memorial Library board member Araminta Blowe.

July 17 — Dig into writing where the children write their experiences in journals.

July 24 — Dig into summer where the children are awarded certificates.