It may be midnight, but there’s always time to explore this awesome little 2D library, and possibly discover a hidden letter or two!
We recommend reading The Midnight Library by Kazuno Kohara (Roaring Book Press, 2014, read here by the Ingleside Public Library). Welcome to a very special library: it’s only open from midnight to dawn! The little librarian, along with her three assistant owls, work together in the dark and help the forest animals find a place to play music, read the perfect story time book, and even sign up for a library card!
You’ll need:
- 1 midnight library template, printed on 8.5″ x 11″ paper
- 1 clear piece of 8.5″ x 11″ plastic (more on this below!)
- Sharpie permanent marker
- 1 piece of black construction paper
- One flashlight template, printed on 8.5″ x 11″ card stock
- Scissors for construction
- Markers for decorating
- Optional: fine tip dry erase marker
Begin by printing the midnight library template. Then, place a piece of plastic on top of the template and trace it using a Sharpie permanent marker. We used archival mylar, but you can also use the clear cellophane rolls you find in the gift basket section of your local craft store!
Replace the paper library template with a piece of black construction paper. Tape the corners of the black construction paper to a tabletop, then tape the corners of the plastic to the tabletop as well. Really to explore the library? Slide the flashlight’s light beam between the construction paper and plastic to “illuminate” the scene!
Want to take the project up a notch? Use a fine tip dry erase marker on the plastic to “hide” letters in the library, and ask your young readers to locate them. Once all the letters have been discovered, you can erase them and start anew! You can make the letters random, or ask kids to string together various words and/or messages. For example, I’ve hidden the word “hello” on this shelf…can you find it?
