CRPLSA

Council of Regional Public Library System Administrators

Tag: Moo!

Cow’s Finale: A year of MOO! comes to a close

Dear Once Upon a Reader fans,

All good things must come to an end, and that includes Cow’s MOO! Trunk Show in Minnesota. This past week Mike and I and Cow gave our last OUR shows in some beautiful north central towns. What a grand time of the year to be up north.

On Monday, September 28, we headed to the tiny library in Pine River where we presented to 13 attendees and the library cat, Browser. We then headed to Brainerd for an evening show where 100 folks turned up to see Cow (and to try their hands at the mechanical milkingcow on the library’s front lawn). Among the attendees were another Dairy Princess and two boys from dairy farms who came dressed in cow costumes.

On Tuesday morning we performed in one of our most unique venues, a church in Wadena. 25 attendees showed up for our show (and free books and milk). We had to restrain Cow from giving a sermon on the importance of pasteurization. In the evening we gave a presentation for 11 attendees at the Frank White Education Center in Park Rapids.

Mike, Cow & David with Paul & Babe the Blue Ox in Brainerd
Mike, Cow & David with Paul & Babe the Blue Ox in Bemidji

Cow was beginning to worry that she was losing her popularity, but we ended our tour on Wednesday with two full houses. Wednesday morning we performed for 170 attendees atthe Bemidji Library. Colleen the librarian had done an amazing job preparing for our visit, with “Cow Chow” snacks for the kids and bottles of “Thirsty Cow” water, not to mention clothespin cows to take home. It was a wonderful way to start our last day. Cow’s swan song was in the small library in Walker, but we filled the venue with 60 attendees. Carrie had lots of prizes to give away, and all the families enjoyed pizza after.

Wow. What a year this has been! We can’t thank you enough for giving us this opportunity. Over the past year we have met some magnificent librarians, seen some fascinating libraries, met lots of friendly families, and created enough memories to fill a silo. To sum it all up, there’s only one thing we can say:

Moo!

Ever your Bovine Buddies,
David LaRochelle, Author
Mike Wohnoutka, Illustrator
and of course, Cow, the star!

PS  – Click here for the 150 travelogue pictures from around Minnesota with Cow, Mike and David

Cow’s continuing MOO-velous Adventures

Ann Hutton with Cow in Winona
It’s hard to tell who was more excited to meet the other, Ann Hutton or Cow. Definitely a Mutual Adoration Society.

Hello Once Upon a Reader Fans!

This past week saw Mike and me and Cow edging closer to the end of our incredible tour.

On Tuesday morning, Sept 22, we presented to 120 attendees at the gorgeous Winona Public Library. Cow was thrilled to meet one of her biggest fans, Ann Hutton. And Ann certainly knew how to treat a diva like Cow; ever since, Cow has been asking why WE don’t treat her with such adoration. That afternoon we traveled to the small town of Houston and presented to 120 preschoolers to second graders at the elementary school. It was our last SELCO show, were taken care of at every SELCO venue where we performed. Thank you so much, ladies.

On Thursday we headed north to present to 90 preschoolers who filled our room at the Grand Rapids library. Another gorgeous site, right on the Mississippi River, and Darla and Tracy could not have been more enthusiastic and helpful. We then wound our way to one of the most secluded sites of our tour, South Ridge School outside of Culver. Cow wanted to take part in the volleyball game that was going on next to us, but we convinced her to perform for the 50 attendees that the Head Start folks had brought in that evening. There were lots of crafts to do and every family got to bring home a book, which is always great to see.

Cow in Grand Rapiids 2015-09
In the wonderful play area at the Grand Rapids Rapids Public Library, Cow spells out one of her favorite words.

And now we are packing our bags for the FINAL leg of our tour. What an amazing adventure we’ve had this past year!

Here are a few photos from this past week.

You’ll hear from us one more time after we return from our final six shows!

David, Mike, but mostly Cow

Cow to the southwest – MN that is

Hello Once Upon a Reader fans,

Mike and I and Cow just returned from two successful days in the Plum Creek region of southwestern Minnesota, visiting Marshall and Windom. Cow attracted an audience of about 80 admirers at each stop. She particularly enjoyed taking advantage of the hotel amenities Cow enjoying the pool 2015-08 which gave her a chance to show off the latest wardrobe fashions created for her by Kim Faurot.

Once again the librarians at each stop made us feel udderly welcome. It’s hard to believe that it has been less than a year ago when Cow made her first appearance. What a full year we have all had!

We hope that you are enjoying these dog days of summer, whether you are traveling on vacation or staying cool at home.

Till September,

Your Bovine Buddies,
David, Mike, and Cow

P.S. Here are a few photos from our recent travels —

Cow in Pioneerland

Cow and McLeod County Dairy Princesses 2015-07
Cow & the McLeod County Dairy Princesses in Glencoe

Hello Once Upon a Reader fans,

Cow took a day off from her summer vacation to visit two libraries in the Pioneerland Library System (PLS) yesterday. Mike and I went along to act as her assistants.

In Glencoe, she presented to a group of 100 kids and adults in the beautifully renovated old high school. She was beside herself with joy when she was made an honorary Dairy Princess, but then again, she also felt is was only a matter of time before her regal nature was recognized. Thanks to Slade for making the trek out to Glencoe to film the show for posterity.

On the western edge of Minnesota in Dawson, Cow gave an evening presentation to a small, but receptive group of 30 in the high school performing arts auditorium. It was wonderful that every family was able to go home with their own free copy of the book.

Cow is already back in vacation mode, at the beach in the new swim attire designed by Kim Faurot. If the paparazzi can get close enough to her, you might be subjected to some lakeside photos of Cow later next month. In the meantime, here are a few photos from yesterday.

David, Mike and of course, Cow

PS – More pictures of Cow

Cow Tours SELCO

A travelogue from Minnesota Author, David LaRochelle as he travels the state with Minnesota Illustrator, Mike Wohnoutka and the Once Upon a Reader star performer – Cow and their adventures in SELCO.

Hello Once Upon a Reader folks!Cow profile pix-crop

June is National Dairy Month so Cow was in high demand for guest appearances, but she took time from her busy schedule to join Mike and me as we visited six more SELCO libraries Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday of this week. Once again the wonderful folks at SELCO (Amy, Amy, Reagan, Cindy and all the great librarians we met) did a fabulous job of welcoming us at each stop.

Monday’s rain didn’t keep the 125 attendees away from joining us at the Rochester Public Library. Despite some bad driving from David (I wish I could blame it on Cow), we made it to our second stop just in the nick of time, which was one of our most unusual venues to date: the weight room at the Rochester Family YMCA. 80 day camp kids and their counselors, spanning a very wide age-range, joined us in this unique location. Cow being the star that she is took it all in stride.

Tuesday was a beautiful day for a drive to the small town of Dodge Center where 50 kids packed the cozy meeting room in the library. It was then on to Spring Valley where Jenny Simon and her crew had the entire library decked out for our visit, with cow balloons, milk cans, window paintings, the Moo! Story Walk, dozens of cow books, and after our show, milk and cookies and a LIVE COW. 200 kids and their caregivers joined us under the storybook tree in the children’s area for our show.

Wednesday morning we had an audience of 150 at the Austin Public Library. We bypassed the Spam Museum (we were afraid it might hit a little too close to home for Cow), and headed to Albert Lea for a performance to 100 in the afternoon. Both libraries had beautiful lake views and the librarians in both stops were well prepared for our visit.

Thanks to all the librarians and the wonderful women at SELCO who made these visits so successful. We are glad that we get to work with you again in September.

Cow is out touring on her own at the moment, but I thought I’d pass along some of the photos from her appearances this past week.

Your bovine buddies,

David, Mike, and Cow

More photos of Cow’s travels throughout Minnesota

Wyoming Moo-ooo Walk

ECRL Moo storywalk 2015-06Special events abound for Once Upon a Reader –
a statewide one-book program designed for Pre-K children to promote early literacy skills.  Even walking and reading at the same time in the East Central Regional Library (ECRL) !

Once Upon a Reader encourages young children and their parents or caregivers to read together.  The featured title for the inaugural two year event is MOO! by Minnesota author David LaRochelle and Minnesota illustrator, Mike Wohnoutka.  The program is being promoted in public libraries throughout the state.

 

A CRPLSA sponsored Library Legacy activity with funds from the Minnesota Arts and Cultural Heritage Fund.

More of Cow’s Adventures

Cow and David with library fans 2015-05Hello Team MOO!

Cow (and Mike and David) have had a very successful month of May, mooing from the top to bottom of Minnesota. 

On May 8 Cow traveled far north, to visit 140 K, 1st, and 2nd graders at the Warren elementary school in the morning, and then performed for 70 folks at the Thief River Falls Public Library in the afternoon. A few days later she made a southern tour of the state, visiting over 200 kids at the Owatonna Public Library in the morning of May 11, and over 200 kids at the stunning Buckham Memorial Library in Faribault in the afternoon. The next day she was eager to visit with 120 day care kids at the Plainview Public Library and then had one of her largest crowds to date, over 250 kindergarteners at the Red Wing Public Library in the afternoon. Her final show of the month was on “da range,” visiting 170 attendees in Mountain Iron.

Once again librarians were incredible, providing lots of activities and handouts for kids to enjoy, and making our job very easy.

All this traveling can be exhausting, even for a seasoned veteran like Cow. She’s now on hiatus for over a month, at a location she’d rather not disclosed for fear of being mobbed by her adoring fans, but she’ll be ready to resume her road tour at the end of June (which she is quick to point out is National Dairy Month).

Here’s her latest photo gallery and pictures from her earlier travels

From Cow’s crew,
David and Mike

Mooing in Vikingland

Since she was in Vikingland, Cow wanted to dress the part
Since she was in Vikingland, Cow wanted to dress the part

Hello MOO! Followers,

Cow (and Mike and David) were out on the road last week, visiting six libraries in the Viking Library System (VLS). All three of us were very, very happy to have Tom Lieberman with us, playing live music before, during, and after our shows. What a rich experience his music made these presentations. We were chaperoned by Gail Nordstrom who joined us at every library, brought us treats, and made us feel like royalty (which of course Cow thinks she is). Thank you, Gail, for your planning, organizing, and thoughtfulness which made this such a successful trip for all of us.

We began our tour on Monday, April 27, with 200 kindergartners and preschoolers joining us in the gym adjacent to the Douglas County Library. Our evening presentation was at a gorgeous old Carnegie Library in Glenwood, where Leslie Randall rolled out the red carpet for us. 70 attendees squeezed into the children’s area for our show. We had a great dinner with Gail and Leslie sitting outside along a lake, watching the sunset and listening to loons. Spring had arrived.

Cow was speechless (almost) when she met Big Ole in Alexandria
Cow was speechless (almost) when she met Big Ole in Alexandria

Tuesday, April 27 we were in the basement of the Thorson Memorial Library. Like all the libraries we visited on this trip, they were very prepared for our visit. 110 kids showed up to see Cow (and Tom and Mike and me). In the evening at the Fergus Falls Library, 105 attendees pulled themselves away from the beautiful spring weather to hear our show.
On our last day, April 28, it was standing room only at the Morris Public Library where 210 attendees crowded in to see us. Our final presentation was to 70 attendees at the Charles M. Dale Elementary School in Browns Valley. We were serenaded by Native American drumming as we left, an opportunity we doubt whether we will have again.

Cow picked out some of her favorite photos to send you. We hope you enjoy them. She is packing again, because we leave tomorrow for Thief River Falls and Warren.

Moo! to one and all!

David, Mike, and Cow

Once Upon a Reader, the Moo! Trunk Shows, and all of Cow’s Adventures are made possible with money from Minnesota’s Art and Cultural Heritage Fund and the people of Minnesota for Library Legacy activities.

More Moo! Adventures with Mike, David & Cow

Hello everyone following Cow’s Adventures,

Cow (and Mike and David) have been on the road again, traveling from Moorhead to Inver Grove Heights. Cow has had lots of adventures already this month, and is eager to share her latest photos, so here they are. I’m sorry there are so many, but believe me, this is less than what Cow wanted to send.

We started out with two shows at the Probstfield Center for Education in Moorhead on April 2, with 200+ attendees at the first show and 150+ at the second show. At the Burnhaven Library in Burnsville on April 4 we had about 40 attendees, and in Inver Grove Heights we had about 30 in the audience. At the Maplewood Library where Monica Stratton had LOTS of handouts for the kids, there were 120 attendees. Then today at our two shows at the Northtown Library in Blaine, we filled the room with 125 kids and adults at each show, and had to turn away about 40 folks at each show (one of the librarians gave an impromptu storytime for those who couldn’t fit in our meeting room, and those kids at least got free copies of the book).

We continue to be amazed at some of the wonderful promotion and extension-activities libraries and librarians have been doing with MOO! We are very proud to be part of OUR.

David, Mike, but mostly COW

PS – For the pictures of Cow’s latest travels and earlier library visits

Once Upon a Reader, the Moo! Trunk Shows, and all of Cow’s Adventures are made possible with money from Minnesota’s Art and Cultural Heritage Fund and the people of Minnesota for Library Legacy activities.

Cow Visits the Metro

From David, Mike, and Cow

Mike, Cow, and David had two very successful shows on Saturday. We performed in the amphitheater of the beautiful tree-filled atrium of the R. H. Stafford Library in Woodbury for 150 folks, and we performed in the afternoon in Cottage Grove for 24 enthusiastic attendees. Free books were given out at both MELSA locations.

Cow is resting again, but she is already looking forward to all of her travels next month, including her first night in a hotel (heaven help the poor desk clerk).

For more pictures of Cow visiting the MELSA libraries, as well as other locations

Cow’s continuing adventures in ECRL & MELSA

From David, Mike, and of course, Cow

Cow is back from another whirlwind tour of libraries. Friday morning, March 13, she was at the Moo-ra Public library (ECRL) with 56 attendees and that afternoon she was at the Aitkin branch of ECRL performing for 83 folks. Saturday morning 54 kids and adults showed up to see her in North Branch and 109 people crowded into the basement of the Cambridge Public Library in the afternoon to meet this famous bovine (both Saturday locations were in ECRL). Finally on Sunday she entertained an audience of 47, including Once Upon a Reader’s very own Melissa Brechon, in the MELSA region at Forest Lake where all of the kids received their own autographed copy of MOO!

Mike Wohnoutka and David LaRochelle were especially impressed with how on the ball the librarians have been, with amazing publicity in ECRL plus Vicki Sorn, Cortney Wyant, and Patty Thompson showed up at each of these four shows to make sure everything was ready for the Once Upon a Reader – Moo trunk show.  There was an amazing display of activities with Suzanne at the Forest Lake Library as Washington County Library celebrates the Month of Moo!

David shared photos of  their adventures, mostly of Cow. She wanted to send more, but he had to put a limit.  Cow was very well received at all five shows.  Check out her Flickr pix. Cow is napping, getting her beauty sleep for her star performances in Woodbury next Saturday.

Once Upon a Reader – Moo! calendar  Find out when and where Cow will be visiting next

Once Upon a Reader information

“Once Upon a Reader – Moo Trunk Shows” were made possible with money from Minnesota’s Arts and Cultural Heritage Fund and the people of Minnesota for Library Legacy activities.

Cow’s Week of Travels

Cow at a GRRL library programCow, Mike Wohnoutka, and David LaRochelle had a very successful week with Moo! Trunk Shows around Minnesota. 

On Monday they were in Great River Regional Library (GRRL) with stops at Staples (119 attendees at the morning presentation) and Melrose (49 attendees at the evening presentation. On Tuesday they braved the snow for a noon presentation in Elk River (49 attendees) and an evening presentation in St. Michael (75 attendees).

The dynamic trio moved to Traverse des Sioux Library Cooperative (TdSLC) with a visit at the Mankato Public Library for two library presentations (12 attendees in the morning and 5 attendees in the afternoon…maybe everyone had already seen the Truck Show while at the MLA conference last fall  😉 ).

At all six shows Cow was very well received.  Check out her Flickr pix.

Once Upon a Reader – Moo! calendar  Find out when and where Cow will be visiting next

Once Upon a Reader information

OUR is made possible with money from Minnesota’s Arts and Cultural Heritage Fund and the people of Minnesota for Library Legacy activities.

Cow’s Travels Begin!

OUR with Moo David and Mike 2015Author David LaRochelle, Illustrator Mike Wohnoutka, and Cow got together to discuss various routes for their tour of Minnesota libraries. As you can see, the three didn’t always agree. Cow had very definite opinions about which routes to take — most of which involve going past historic dairy farms.

 

Once Upon a Reader – Moo! calendar  Check out when and where Cow will be visiting next

Once Upon a Reader information

OUR is made possible with money from Minnesota’s Arts and Cultural Heritage Fund and the people of Minnesota for Library Legacy activities.

Order Once Upon a Reader kits – NOW!

OUR Logo - ColorNews from Anna Haase Krueger, the Once Upon a Reader project coordinator, regarding the purchase of extra kits.  Time is of the essence so if you want kits for your individual library, now is the time to order!

Please share this information with your member libraries and Friends groups if they might be ordering from the wonderful selection of Once Upon a Reader items.

We have sold out of just about everything at this point!  But never fear, I will be doing a reorder in January.  But, because I have nothing in stock, it is crucial that libraries that want to order additional kits for spring events (March/April/May) place their orders by January 20 so I have enough time to order materials, create the kits, and get them shipped out.

We will set a final ordering deadline later in spring, likely March or April.

Order form

The St. Paul Public Library hosts outrageous OUR shows

OUR at SPPL 2014-10
Moo! Storywalk on a sunny kickoff celebration for Once Upon a Reader at the St. Paul Public Library

The Saint Paul Public Library hosted three outrageous trunk shows with author David LaRochelle and illustrator Mike Wohnoutka, featuring their book MOO!, winner of the 2014 Minnesota Book Award for Children’s Literature. These programs are the first events in the statewide Once Upon a Reader (OUR) program.

Once Upon a Reader is a one-book program designed for pre-K children to promote early literacy skills. The focus of the program is to encourage young children and their parents or caregivers to read together. The program will be featured in public libraries throughout the state of Minnesota, October 2014 through May 2015. Once Upon a Reader is sponsored by CRPLSA and funded from the Minnesota Arts and Cultural Heritage Fund.

At the Saint Paul Public Library events, kids ages 0-6 and their families enjoyed snacks, crafts, and a petting zoo with cows and sheep from Walton’s Hollow following the shows.

Saturday, October 18 at the George Latimer Central Library
Featuring live music by Pop Wagner

Saturday, October 18 at the Hamline Midway Library
Featuring live music with jazz artist Tom Lieberman

Sunday, October 19 at the Arlington Hills Community Center
Featuring live music with jazz artist Tom Lieberman

MELSA and a Moo! board game

OUR Logo - ColorAs part of Read & Ride Day festivities at the great Minnesota get-together — the State Fair — MELSA hosted its regional launch of Once Upon a Reader. Featured throughout the day were a live action MOO! board game and cow backpacks for all children.  MELSA partners for the event included:  Twin Cities Siteres in Crime, Minitex, the Minnesota Book Awards (MNBA), Minnesota Parent (magazine), the McPhail Center for Music and tpt – Twin Cities Public Television.

MALF Partnering with OUR to Offer Dollar-to-Dollar Match

MALF_HORIZ_VECTORMALF is pleased to support the new, first-ever,  statewide, early literacy one-book initiative, Once Upon a Reader (OUR).  To celebrate libraries, literacy and the important role of Library Friends, MALF will offer members a dollar-for-dollar match to offset the costs of purchasing OUR resources. For example:

  • Purchase two Take-Home Play Kits at a total cost of $200, and MALF will reimburse you $100.
  • Order a Vacation Scrapbook and a Milk and Cookie Storytime Kit at a total cost of $145, and MALF will reimburse you $72.50 – and so on. The combinations are endless!
  • Matches will be capped at three (3) items and/or $300 per Friends group.

Participating in this special MALF-OUR offer is simple. Place an order online through the OUR program website. Print a copy of your receipt or order confirmation form and mail it to MALF at the address listed below with a copy of the MALF matching funds form. MALF will remit reimbursement within 30-business days. Please remember that eligibility is contingent on current MALF membership. MALF’s total match fund is $3,000, so order today!

OUR Logo - ColorThe book chosen for OUR’s inaugural year is Moo!, written by Minnesota author David LaRochelle and illustrated by Minnesota artist Mike Wohnoutka.  While a statewide Library Legacy initiative, there is room for creativity and customization on the local level. CRPLSA is making available six program enhancements for purchase by local libraries and Friends groups. Four of the activity packages are eligible for this MALF match. There’s something for every budget.

Minnesota Association of Library Friends
325 Cedar Street, Suite 555
Saint Paul, Minnesota 55101

Once Upon a Reader Launched in Mankato

OUR launch in Mankato 2014-10Amidst giggles and then more giggles, 50 Head Start students and their teachers marched and danced and, yes, giggled with a very talkative cow puppet in Mankato.   Author David LaRochelle, illustrator Mike Wohnoutka, and songwriter Tom Lieberman launched Once Upon a Reader introducing library staff gathered for the annual library conference to the traveling trunk show and musical selections.  A Mankato Free Press reporter covered the event even including interviews with very talkative three-year olds.

Check the Once Upon a Reader website for more information!

And, LIKE Once Upon a Reader on Facebook.

One Book Program Announced

OUR Logo - ColorMinnesota’s Regional Public Libraries Announce Statewide “One Book” Program for Young Children

Minnesota’s Arts & Cultural Legacy Fund supports a new, interactive and multichannel reading program designed to help libraries bring young children and books together. Once
Upon a Reader will launch its first year with the award-winning “Moo!” – written by David LaRochelle and illustrated by Mike Wohnoutka.

Once Upon a Reader features one book. This year’s choice is Moo!, written by David LaRochelle and illustrated by Mike Wohnoutka—both Minnesota residents. Moo! received this year’s Minnesota Book Award for Children’s Literature and was named by the Association for Library Service as a Children’s Notable Book, among many other honors.

Once Upon a Reader will include a variety of programs in public libraries throughout the state, from October through May. Events will range from the “Moo! Traveling Trunk Show,” an interactive program with the author and illustrator performing puppet shows, drawing exercises, music, and group storytelling, to Storywalks and Scavenger Hunts, focusing on extending activities into the community.

As part of Once Upon a Reader, the program will give a copy of Moo! to over 14,000 Head Start students in Minnesota, along with reading and program guidelines. Many libraries will partner with local Head Start programs to offer Moo! programs and activities.

Once Upon a Reader is sponsored by CRPLSA and coordinated by Library Strategies, a consulting group of The Friends of the Saint Paul Public Library. For information about the program, contact Library Strategies at 651-287-0060.

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