Christmas activities at local libraries

Various Christmas events highlight December events at area libraries.

For example, the Salt Lake City Library will host a "Winter Solstice Shopping Celebration" on Dec. 5-7 at Library Square. Hours will be 5-8 p.m. on Saturday, Dec. 5; 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Dec. 6; and 1-5 p.m. on Sunday, Dec. 7. Those who donate canned food will be entered in a prize drawing and Friends of the Library will offer free gift wrapping during the event.

The Winter Solstice Celebration will also feature fortune tellers, a hypnotist, psychic and live music on Friday, Dec. 5, 7-11 p.m. at the Main Library, 210 E. 400 South. There will also be a special presentation by University of Utah theater students at 7 p.m. in the library auditorium.

The popular "How the Grinch Stole Christmas" program, told in mime and music by the Players group, will be Tuesday, Dec. 9, 7 p.m. at the Main Library.

A holiday program celebrating Christmas traditions from Mexico, "Las Posada," will be Monday, Dec. 15, 7-9 p.m. at the Day-Riverside Library, 1575 W. 1000 North. The following night that library will feature "Hanukkah: A Festival of Lights," from 7-8:30 p.m.

The Salt Lake County Library System will also have plenty of festivities for the holiday season. The Hunter Library, 4740 W. 4100 South, will host "It's Beginning to Look A Lot Like Christmas" on Tuesday, Dec. 2, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. People of all ages can create homemade ornaments to take home for their own Christmas tree. The Hunter High singers will perform between 2-4 p.m.

"Storytimes with Santa" will be held at the Riverton Library, 12860 S. Redwood Road, on three occasions — Tuesday, Dec. 9, and Wednesday, Dec. 10, at 11 a.m. each day and again on Thursday, Dec. 11, at 4 p.m. This event is for children ages 2-5. Space is limited. Call 944-7671 to register for the free program.

Also, children can help decorate the East Mill Creek Library, 2266 E. Evergreen Ave., anytime from Dec. 1-24 during library hours and the Magna Library, 8339 W. 3500 South, will hold a special Christmas reading program for children up to age 12. Register at the library information desk.

The Provo City Library in Academy Square will present the "Sounds of Christmas," a classical guitar program, on two Thursdays, Dec. 11, and Dec. 18, at 6:30 p.m.

Here are some books suitable for sixth-grade reading levels:

"Tree by Leaf," by Cynthia Voight. A father's return from World War I means problems for his family, especially for his 12-year-old son who struggles to accept his father's disfigurement.