Laughing children is what you would have heard had you stopped by the library at 10 am on Tuesday, July 1.

Close to 70 children came from as far away as Stonewall to see Ringling Bros. clown, “Bonzo Crunch” perform for the summer reading program.

He played a glittering orange banjo as the guests took their seats in the large conference room of the library, and entertained with Laurel and Hardy style slapstick humor, magic tricks, and juggling.

Bonzo also talked about how influential the library had been to his development as a child interested in magic, performance art, and theater.

He impressed upon the children the importance of reading and going to the library to find books on anything one might be interested in, and to ask a librarian for help!

Bonzo read the popular children’s book, “Olivia Saves the Circus” by Ian Falconer and brought many more of his own circus themed books that he talked about with the children. He reinforced the summer reading program by encouraging all the young readers to do their summer reading and earn that circus ticket to The Greatest Show on Earth, The Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus which will take place at The Frank Erwin Center in Austin August 20-24!

After the show, children checked out books, got their circus tickets stamped, and had their faces painted by NJHS members Danielle Oliver and Kristen Watt.

Keep up the good work with regards to summer reading! The deadline for turning in your reading logs and completing your circus tickets will be July 18.

Please Join us on the Nature Trail, July 18th at 6pm, next to City Hall for an evening of music and a closing ceremony for all who have participated in our summer reading program.

Certificates signed by the Governor will be awarded to all children who have completed their reading, and have turned in their reading logs to Blanco Library Children’s Librarian, Christine Bailey. Local favorites Hold ‘Er Newt will perform!