Girls Gather For American Girl Book Club At Mentor Public Library

Eight-year-old Libby Henrikson needed a tiny wheelchair to bring her doll, Julie, to the American Girl Book Club at the Mentor Public Library main branch.

“She fell off a horse,” explained Henrikson of Julie’s small leg cast. “She’s been in the wheelchair since Christmas.”

The Mentor Public Library is hoping to tap into just this type of imaginativity with its newest book club.

More than 30 girls, from ages eight to 12, came to its first meeting earlier this month. Some had dolls but others were just eager to participate.

Children’s Services Manager Kim Sidorick thought a program like this would help bring together girls with like interests to learn and just have fun.

“We had an American Girl tea party here last spring that was very successful,” Sidorick said. “The dolls are classics and the books circulate well.”

Sidorick began the program by asking the girls questions about the book “Meet Kirsten” by Janet Shaw and Renée Graef, which was the topic of the January program. Then the girls split into two groups to assemble a quilt and make yarn dolls.

“I brought my doll so she could enjoy the fun with me. I enjoyed learning about Kirsten and what her life was like. I can’t wait to attend the next one,” Henrikson said.

The series will continue through the end of 2013 on the first Wednesday of every month. Each meeting will focus on a different historical girl and participants will be asked to read books from the popular American Girl series.

For more information on upcoming programs at Mentor Public Library please call 440-255-8811 or log on to www.mentorpl.org. Registration is required.