This winter and spring we join local libraries and community partners for the sixth year of Longwood Gardens Community Read! This year, we continue our journey into the science of the plant world by going back to where it all started … seeds. The three books this year are:
• The Triumph of Seeds: How Grains, Nuts, Kernels, Pulses, & Pips Conquered the Plant Kingdom and Shaped Human History by Thor Hanson, for adults and young adults.
• Seedfolks by Paul Fleischman, for middle-grade readers.
• The Reason for a Flower by Ruth Heller, for children.
Participating Delaware County libraries will hold programs in the coming months based on the Community Read books. Find both books at your local library by clicking on the highlighted titles above. At each program, patrons will receive ticket vouchers for free admission to Longwood Gardens. For a full list of programs across the region click here.
Programs at Delaware County Libraries:
Now until April, 26
Community Read StoryWalk
StoryWalk at Rose Tree Park
1671 N Providence Rd, Media, PA 19063
The Reason for a Flower will be featured in our StoryWalk.
March 22 & April 12 at 3:30pm
Seedfolks Book Discussion & More!
The Helen Kate Furness Free Library
100 North Providence Road, Wallingford, PA 19086
Seedfolks Book Discussion for 5th through 12 grades. Thirteen voices germinate into one story. Our first meeting we will introduce the book and have a seed planting activity (in our raised bed weather permitting.) Snack on seeds and legumes (think hummus). Our second meeting, we discuss the book and each design a seed packet with our favorite character and create an acrostic using their name. Enjoy a slice of pizza with foods grown in the Seedfolk’s community garden!?! Register in advance so that we have a book waiting for you. Sign up in the library on the main floor by the Longwood Community Read bulletin board OR call Ms. Lori @ 620-566-9331 x4.
March 30 at 1:00pm
Book Club to Discuss The Triumph of Seeds by Thor Hanson
The Helen Kate Furness Free Library
Lower Level Chadwick Auditorium
100 North Providence Road, Wallingford, PA 19086
Celebrate this year’s Longwood Gardens Community Read at Helen Kate! Join the discussion of Thor Hanson’s The Triumph of Seeds led by Library Director Jennifer Stock. We’ll even have seed-related snacks! Call the Library at 610-566-9331 or stop by and register at the main circulation desk.
April 1 at 10:15am
Flower
The Helen Kate Furness Free Library
100 North Providence Road, Wallingford, PA 19086
Toddler Storytime for 2 to 3 ½ year olds. Books shared include The Reason For a Flower, The Surprise Garden, So Happy, What Will Grow?, & And Then It’s Spring. Activities include seed germination, seed sorting, flower seed mosaic, and more. To register, call Ms. Lori @ 610-566-9331 x4.
April 2 at 1:30-2:30 pm
Roots & Shoots: Story Time & STEM Project
Marple Public Library
2599 Sproul Road, Broomall, PA 19008
Come and join Miss Mel to learn all about the magical world of flowers from roots to shoots. We will start our program by reading Ruth Heller’s, The Reason for a Flower, the 2019 Longwood Gardens Community Read book pick. Afterwards, we will get an opportunity to do some hands-on learning activities with parts of a real flower and plant seeds of our very own. Everyone in attendance will also receive a ‘My Plant’ observation and activity booklet to provide further enrichment opportunities in learning all about flowers, pollination and seeds. This booklet will also include a simple STEM flower project that kiddos can enjoy with their parent(s) and /or caregiver(s) at home continuing with the fun. For ages 4-6 (accompanied by parent(s) and/or caregiver(s)). No registration required. Call 610-356-1510 and ask for Miss Mel if you require further information about this program.
April 10 at 6:30pm
Book Discussion on The Triumph of Seeds by Thor Hanson
Ridley Township Public Library and Resource Center
Meeting Room
100 E. MacDade Blvd., Folsom, PA 19033
Discussion of The Triumph of Seeds. For information or to register, please email reference@ridleylibrary.org, or call 610-583-0593. You may also register online - visit www.ridleylibrary.org and click "events."
April 11 at 7:00pm
The Role of Seeds in Society and Culture
Radnor Memorial Library
Winsor Room
114 West Wayne Ave., Wayne, PA 19087
Mary Peterson of the Longwood Gardens Professional Gardner Program will present this lecture, based on the concepts of the Longwood Gardens Community Read 2019 book selection, The Triumph of Seeds by Thor Hanson. The wide range of seeds used in today’s society will be examined in this interactive program, including the process and storage of seeds, as well as their use in planting, cooking, and even jewelry. A limited number of family passes to Longwood Gardens and some seeds will be given away during the program. To register, call the Radnor Library at 610-687-1124.
April 11 at 4:00pm
Reason for a Flower: A Hands-On History Program
Springfield Township Library
70 Powell Rd Springfield PA, 19064
We’ll begin by reading Ruth Heller’s The Reason for a Flower. From the book, we learn that some everyday objects come from seeds. Using a traveling trunk supplied by the Chester County Historical Society, we will look at historic toys, clothing, quilts, and food to discover what seeds helped to produce them. We will finish with a historic craft. For children in grades K-5th. Registration is not required.
April 13 at 11:00am
Seeds in Society and Culture with Deb Wiles
The Helen Kate Furness Free Library
Lower Level Chadwick Auditorium
100 North Providence Rd, Wallingford, PA 19086
Celebrate this year’s Longwood Gardens Community Read at Helen Kate! Dive deep into the concepts from The Triumph of Seeds during a facilitated lecture that looks at the wide range of uses of seeds in today’s society and culture. From their inclusion in global diets to their presence in creative arts, spirituality, and textiles, discover how relevant seeds are in today’s world. In this program you’ll also learn how to properly process and store a menagerie of beautiful seeds to be used for jewelry, cooking, and planting. Deb Wiles is a graduate of the Longwood Professional Gardeners Program and a horticulture professional in Virginia. To register, call the Library at 610-566-9331 or stop by and register at the main circulation desk. This program is limited to 20 registrants; a waiting list will be taken once program slots are filled.
April 22 at 4:00pm
Seed Mosaics
Darby Free Library
1001 Main Street, Darby, PA 19023
Create a beautiful mosaic with seeds as you learn about each one. No registration required.
April 22 at 3:15pm
Flower Food
Radnor Memorial Library
Teen Room
114 West Wayne Avenue, Wayne, PA 19087
Try some edible flowers and identify some seed snacks all in celebration of Longwood Gardens Community Reads selection, Seedfolks by Paul Fleischman. No registration required.
May 9 at 7:00pm
The Role of Seeds in Society in Culture
Norwood Public Library and Longwood Gardens
513 Welcome Ave, Norwood, PA 19074
Mackenzie Fochs of the Longwood Gardens Graduate Program will present the program, based on the concepts of the Longwood Gardens Community Read 2019 book selection, The Triumph of Seeds by Thor Hanson. The wide range of seeds use in today’s society will be examined in this facilitated lecture, including the process and storage of seeds, as well as their use in cooking, planting and even jewelry. To register, call the Library at 610 534-0693 or click here.
May 15 at 6:30pm
The Reason for a Flower
Ridley Township Public Library and Tyler Arboretum
100 E. MacDade Blvd., Folsom, PA 19033
For students grades K-5.
Tyler educators will bring the Arboretum to you! Inspired by The Reason for a Flower by Ruth Heller, we’ll learn the parts of a flower and the life cycle of a plant through this hands-on and inquiry based lesson. Students will learn how flowers attract different kinds of pollinators and perform an exciting, educational skit. Then students will dissect a real flower to look closely at all of the parts. After examining flowers up close, students will explore what comes next -the fruit and seed(s). We will learn how and why plants disperse seeds and sort samples of unique seeds from Tyler Arboretum’s plants and trees! To register, visit www.ridleylibrary.org and click ‘events’ to register.
May 18 at 12:30pm
Plant and Seed Exchange
Ridley Township Public Library and Resource Center
100 E. MacDade Blvd., Folsom, PA
Swap plants with other gardeners, and bring new life to your garden! Master Gardener Joe Daniels will be on hand to identify plants and answer general questions. This program is in collaboration with Longwood Gardens Community Read. For information or to register, email reference@ridleylibrary.org or call 610-583-0593. You may also register online - visit www.ridleylibrary.org and click "events."
May 18 at 2:30pm
Container Gardening
Ridley Township Public Library and Resource Center
100 E. MacDade Blvd., Folsom, PA
Penn State Master Gardener Joe Daniels will present a Container Gardening workshop. Container gardens allow you to dress up your patio or balcony easily. You may grow flowers, herbs or vegetables in a container. This is a terrific way for new gardeners to get their start This program is in collaboration with Longwood Gardens Community Read. For information or to register, email reference@ridleylibrary.org or call 610-583-0593. You may also register online - visit www.ridleylibrary.org and click "events."
May 21 at 10:30am
Mobile Museum Program: Pollination Power
Rachel Kohl Community Library and The Delaware Museum of Natural History
687 Smithbridge Rd, Glen Mills, PA 19342
This program, featuring live animals, includes a reading of The Reason for a Flower, followed by an interactive learning experience about the importance of flowers and the animals that rely on them! Register by calling or stopping by the library starting the last week in April.
May 21 at 4:00pm
Seed to Flower Match Game
Darby Free Library
1001 Main St., Darby, PA 19023
Use the library's resources to match seeds to the flower it will become. Plant your favorite to take home and grow. No registration required.
