Programs and Events

L is for Learning!  Reading to Kids in Luang Prabang

Baby Tiger, by Patricia A. Pingry and Chris Sharp.

Public Affairs Officer Amy Archibald visited the Lao American Reading Center in Luang Prabang on June 8 to read to children. For the younger group of about 30 5-8 year olds, she read “Baby Tiger,” by Patricia A. Pingry and Chris Sharp. The book, one of a series by the San Diego Zoo Animal Library, uses photos of tigers in the wild and simple text to teach children about this endangered species. The younger kids had a great time teaching their American visitor how to say “baby tiger” and other words in Lao, and enjoyed hearing about animals from Laos in English. Another group of 20 children, ages 9-14, listened to the book “L is for Last Frontier: An Alaska Alphabet” by Carol Crane. The author takes each letter of the alphabet and discusses some aspect of culture, geography, or wildlife in Alaska. Notes in the margins for older readers add additional information about our largest state. Children in this group were surprised to hear that the United States is just as ethnically diverse as Laos and couldn’t imagine having 20 hours of sunshine or darkness, depending on the season.

The Lao American Reading Center is open to visitors of all ages at the Luang Prabang Library. Membership is not required.