Yellow, red and brown, softly falling. Autumn leaves are slowly falling to the ground.

The rhyme my kids used to sing in kindergarten still pops into my head this time of year. Across the street from the library, we have a beautiful view of the trees in Memorial Park. Right now they are full color with red, yellow and gold leaves, reminding us that winter is just around the corner.

Did you know that the library has an outdoor reading terrace that overlooks the park?

We even have a fire table that we light and gather around it for some extra warmth.

We’ll be lighting the fire table on Saturday, October 30 from 3-4pm for some friendly stories by the fire, just in time for the spookiest night of the year.

Dress for the weather and take the family to the library. You can even dress up your Halloween costume if you want, which is always nice to see.

We will read stories and then a small treat will be provided to take home. Book prizes are also given away, there must also be something for the adults!

Have you seen the giant pumpkin in the parking lot? Many people have taken pictures of these huge pumpkin and fall decorations. It’s a perfect backdrop for the season. Probably a little too big to be cut like a jack-o’-lantern.

Speaking of carving pumpkins, there are many books in the library with instructions and ideas on how to make these traditional Halloween decorations.

One book in particular takes cutting to a new level. Ray Villafane’s Pumpkins his works of art. He’s been described as the Picasso of pumpkin carving, but he says anyone with the right tools can take his advice and make their own “gourdge” pumpkins.

Extreme Pumpkins: Devilish DIY designs to amuse your friends and scare your neighbors, by Tom Nardone is the book for more terrifying ideas.

Tons of scary inspiration that can be easily replicated at home.

Bring the family down for some friendly stories by the fire and check out some books to get creative with your decorations. See you at the library.

Caroline McKay is the community librarian at the Summerland branch of the Okanagan Regional Library.

Send an email to report a typo:
[email protected].

[email protected]
Like us on facebook and follow us Twitter.

ColumnistHalloween