JUDY MOODY PROGRAM

A small, but lively group enjoyed a program featuring juvenile book character Judy Moody on Saturday, January 27, 2007 at the Bucyrus Public Library.

As participants arrived, Children’s Librarian Barbara Scott gave each one a nametag in the shape of an Ellison smiley face and encouraged them to sign up for door prizes, which were given away later in the program.

She began the program by sharing the first chapter of the book Judy Moody (was in a mood. Not a good mood. A bad mood) which is the first book in this popular series by Megan MacDonald. This was followed by a short Powerpoint presentation that highlighted characters from the books as well as facts and trivia from the author’s life.

Participants were then released to work at five different craft tables, each with a Judy Moody-themed craft. Crafts available were:

1. Make a Judy Moody Fortune Teller!—Cootie catchers/fortune tellers were preprinted for participants. I adapted one that appeared on an Arthur website and replaced the Arthur characters with Judy Moody ones. Copies were made on our color printer. Participants were given folding instructions that were color-coded.

2. A Me Collage!—As a way to get to know each other, the students in Judy’s third grade class make collages that tell about them. Participants were given magazines to use to cut out words, names, pictures, etc. that told about them. If they could not find pictures, they were free to draw. This collage was done on 11 by 17 paper.

3. Design Your Own Bandage—Before Judy Moody sets out to save the world, she simply wants to win a contest—a Crazy Strip contest! For this, she needs to think up a colorful design and add a message that goes with it. Participants were given a large bandage outline and were free to create their own design and message on it. This craft was also done on 11 by 17 paper.

4. Judy Moody Coloring Page—Participants each colored a picture of Judy Moody that I put together using Microsoft Publisher. These pictures were displayed along with pictures taken of the day’s event.

5. Uncle Sam Tubey—This was a really cool craft whose base was a toilet paper roll. It was to go along with the book Judy Moody Declares Independence.

Participants enjoyed refreshments, which consisted of Rice Krispie treats, pretzels, popcorn, and punch. While participants ate, Children’s Librarian Barbara Scott shared chapters from two more of the Judy Moody series, Judy Moody Predicts the Future and Judy Moody, M.D.—The Doctor is In

Before the end of the program, drawings were held for three door prizes.

Before leaving, each participant received a small goodie bag which contained candy, and two stretchy frogs. The tops of the bags were secured by a small mood ring. The “”What Mood Are You In?” guide from Judy Moody Predicts the Future was run off and distributed, so that participants could tell what the colors on their rings meant!