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Kids learn origami

Library’s Summer Reading Program features art of folding paper

Youth learned the ancient art of Japanese origami on June 29 at the Pearl Bailey Library in Newport News as part of the Newport News Public Library System’s Summer Reading Program.

Daniel Clayton, age 12, folds his paper for his samurai hat on June 29 at the One World, Many Stories: The Art of Origami program at the Pearl Bailey Library. Photo by Dana Watford/Newport News Public Library System.

Article and photos by Dana Watford/Newport News Public Library System

NEWPORT NEWS, Va. – Youth learned the ancient art of Japanese origami on June 29 at the Pearl Bailey Library in Newport News as part of the Newport News Public Library System’s Summer Reading Program.

About 27 youth ages 6-17 used colorful paper with varying patterns to learn seven folding techniques for creating a dog, bunny, house, pelican, Samurai hat, flapping bird and Japanese crane. Each project increased in difficulty.

“The pelican was my favorite because it was difficult, ” said Daniel Clayton, age 12.

Teaching the youth were Demetria Tucker, senior family and youth services librarian at Pearl Bailey Library. She taught Ryan Beasley, a library page, and Naquan Sanders, a Pearl Bailey youth intern, who then assisted the other participants.

“It’s mostly about a lot of trial and error,” said Sanders, age 17, as he assisted a table of eight boys with their origami projects.

After two hours, the youth were able to take home projects showing how they turned a flat piece of paper into a work of art.

The Newport News Public Library System’s Summer Reading Program is free and open to children, teens and adults. It includes reading incentives and activities and continues through July 31. It is generously supported by the Friends of the Newport News Public Library System, Capt. D’s, Fazoli’s, McDonald’s, Golden Corral, Moe’s Southwest Grill, Shoney’s, and the Library of Virginia.

Program schedules and more information is available at http://www.nngov.com/library/Summer%20Reading or by calling or visiting any Newport News Public Library.

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