Discovering Magic through Reading

Everyone knows magical adventures can be found in books and libraries, but what about in a library parking lot? This summer, some lucky McGovern-Stella Link Library readers received a gigantic surprise when the books they reserved were delivered to their car by a happy unicorn and a friendly dinosaur! 
 
Meet Sparkles the Unicorn and Roary the Dinosaur, both friends of the Houston Public Library (HPL) Youth Librarians. Sparkles and Roary love meeting kids and seeing all the great books everyone is reading. 
 
Due to library buildings being closed to avoid the spread of Covid-19, Sparkles and Roary have missed saying hello to humans when they come inside to check out books. They are glad that Houston Public Library created the HPL TO GO curbside service so their reading friends can still check out library books safely. 
 

Sparkles brightens readers' day by bringing books out to families. 

Sparkles and Roary have kept busy sorting books, making cool videos about washing your hands and other tasks around the library so they can’t always deliver books to the cars at McGovern Stella Link Library. One librarian suggested writing “unicorn” or “dinosaur” in the notes when calling or going online to reserve books so they can try to come say hello. At this time, Sparkles and Roary are making appearances at the McGovern-Stella Link Library (7405 Stella Link Rd., Houston, TX 77025).
 
Mary Wagoner, Houston Public Library Youth Services Advocate shared, “Sparkles and Roary have been a great help to the HPL Youth Librarians this summer. They were very excited when they received some fan mail the other day! They plan to answer back soon. Sparkles will probably write the letters because it’s hard for Roary to reach the paper with his short arms but those same strong arms are great at carrying lots of books to cars!”  
 

Sparkles was so excited when she got a letter, decorated with special artwork. Roary received a similar card and the fan mail made his day. 

Sparkles and Roary love to read and were very happy when they found out that summer reading programs have been happening at local libraries this year. 

Find out about summer reading programs, curbside services and fun, family-friendly activities, such as make-and-take projects, virtual story time including crafts and activities and more by going online or calling your local library. See Houston Public Library, Harris County Public Library and the Bellaire Library. 

Editor's note: For more from local libraries, see our Book Buzz blog. For book recommendations, see our weekly Page Turners blog and monthly Buzz Reads column by Cindy Burnett.