WAIMEA — The Waimea Ocean Film Festival will present two special children’s programs at the Thelma Parker Memorial Public Library Jan. 4 and 11.
Free and open to the public, they are part of the Thelma Parker Library’s NASA@My Library initiative to enhance STEM learning opportunities for public audiences nationwide.
“We’re looking forward to sharing these programs as part of the work the Thelma Parker Library does for the community,” said Tania Howard, founder and director of the Waimea Ocean Film Festival.
The first children’s event will be “Jonny Keeling Presents Andy’s Prehistoric Adventures: Argentinosaurus and Woolly Mammoth” at 10 a.m. Jan 4. Children can travel back in time at this interactive program with Jonny Keeling, head of the Children’s Natural History Unit at the British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC) and executive producer of the popular children’s series. Andy’s Prehistoric Adventures features Natural History Museum employee, “Andy,” who travels back in time and meets dinosaurs and other prehistoric animals.
“A Perfect Day for an Albatross” live documentary with Hawaii island author Caren Loebel-Fried” will begin at 10 a.m. and 1:30 p.m. Jan. 11. An award-winning artist and author, Loebel-Fried of Volcano, Hawaii has published numerous books retelling Hawaiian legends through story and art.
Her awards include the Hawaii Book Publishers Association Ka Palapala Po’okela Awards for illustration and children’s Hawaiian culture, and the American Folklore Society’s Aesop Prize for Children’s Folklore. She has created iconic, educational art for conservation organizations and government agencies, such as the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Midway Atoll National Wildlife Refuge, Kilauea Point Natural History Association and Conservation Council for Hawaii.
Loebel-Fried created her most recent book, “A Perfect Day for an Albatross,” in collaboration with Cornell Lab of Ornithology following her five-week work experience on Midway Atoll counting albatrosses and assisting with research efforts. She also created a live documentary about her time there, giving viewers a glimpse into the incredible hidden lives of these large seabirds and behind-the scenes glimpses into their world. Cornell Lab created a free educational guide to accompany the book that teachers and parents can use that can be downloaded at www.birdsleuth.org/perfectday.
“We’re delighted to have this opportunity to work with the Waimea Ocean Film Festival,” said Pamela Akao, library branch manager. “Children and their families are sure to enjoy both of these amazing events.”
Info: Call 887-6067.