SALISBURY — Have you met “Pete the Cat” yet? Check Pete out today at Rowan Public Library. Created and illustrated by James Dean, and written by Eric Litwin, “Pete the Cat” teaches children counting, color recognition and other skills. But Pete is one very cool cat, and children will have a great time following him on his adventures.
In “Pete the Cat and his Four Groovy Buttons,” Pete loses one button during each new activity he tries. And these aren’t exactly typical activities for a cat — Pete’s buttons disappear while he is skateboarding, surfing and eating ice cream. But he never stops singing about his groovy buttons. In “I Love My White Shoes,” Pete’s shoes change colors as he encounters blueberries, strawberries and mud. But he never stops singing about his awesome white shoes.
You won’t be able to stop singing — or smiling, either — as you read about Pete. You can even download songs from the publisher’s website. And author Eric Litwin has a CD you can check out from Rowan Public Library, too. Eric sings about Pete the Cat on the CD, “The Big Silly with Mr. Eric,” but you’ll also find more familiar tunes like “The Wheels on the Bus” and “Twinkle, Twinkle Little Star.” Each song is performed in a different musical style, from a Zydeco “I Want Chocolate Pie” that you can’t miss, to an Elvis-reminiscent rockabilly “Stop Drop and Roll.”
Check out the fun adventures of Pete the Cat, and the wonderfully entertaining CD, “The Big Silly with Mr. Eric,” today at Rowan Public Library.
Computer classes: Gone Phishing: How to Avoid Getting Scammed — April 15, 7 p.m., South; April 16, 1 p.m., East (registration required, call 704-216-8229); April 18, 9:30 a.m., Headquarters. Classes are free. Sessions are about 90 minutes. Class size is limited and on a first come, first serve basis. Dates and times are subject to change without notice.
Children’s art in the afternoon: Headquarters, Thursdays, 4:30 p.m., grades kindergarten-five. Join Miss Jennifer to learn basic art techniques such as printing, sculpting and painting using various art mediums. Call 704-216-8234 for more information.
JR’s Adventure Club: Headquarters, April 6, 11 a.m. A different adventure each month for children of all ages. Call 704-216-8234 to learn more.
How Andy met Opie’s mother: April 11, 7 p.m., Stanback Auditorium, headquarters. Please join us for the Friends of Rowan Public Library Annual meeting. The program is free and all are welcome. The library is closed, so please enter at the Fisher Street entrance near the Henderson Law Office. Dr. Gary R. Freeze will describe the fateful and fanciful day in 1952 when everything converged to make Andy Taylor “thrice a hero.” Freeze teaches American history at Catawba College and is at work on a major exhibition for the Mt. Airy Museum of Regional History.
Books Under the Big Top: Headquarters, April 13, 10 a.m.-2 p.m. Rowan-Salisbury Schools and Rowan Public Library have teamed up to present “Books Under the Big Top: A Celebration of Reading.” Special features include storytelling, author talks, food, book vendors and more. Festivities will take place on the front lawn and in the street and parking lot across from RPL Headquarters in Salisbury. There will be fun for all ages and admission is free.
The Edwards Family in concert: Headquarters, April 18, 7 p.m., Stanback Auditorium. From old hymns to new gospel songs, and even original material, the Edwards Family is sure to deliver an exciting performance. The concert is free and all are welcome. The library is closed, so please enter at the Fisher Street entrance near the Henderson Law Office.
Get Money Smart at the Library: Headquarters. April 20-27 is Money Smart Week at libraries all over the country. Our library is planning the following events to help you save money. For more information call 704-216-8229.
• April 20 — 10 a.m.-2 p.m., Visit the Swap Shop; trade in or trade up at the indoor yard sale where everything is free.
10-11 a.m., Find Free Money; find unclaimed cash and property in North Carolina.
11 a.m.-noon, Get Organized; learn how to get organized from professional organizer.
1-2 p.m., Turn Trash into Treasure; make crafts out of recycled books. All ages welcome.
• April 22 — 6:30 p.m., Grow Green, Save Green; learn how to garden smarter.
• April 23 — 2 p.m., Building Wealth Seminar; learn how to set money goals and understand credit scores and reports.
Julia B. Duncan Players readers; theater: Headquarters, April 16, 6 p.m., Stanback Auditorium. The Julia B. Duncan Players will be back at RPL to perform a reader’s theater for children of all ages.
Teen poetry slam: Headquarters, April 23, 5:30-7 p.m. N.C. Poet Laureate Joseph Bathanti will be the special master of ceremonies for the evening. Each teen will be able to perform three original poems in three rounds. Winners will receive cash prizes; registration is required. For a list of rules and to register, visit www.rowanpubliclibrary.org or call 704-216-8234.
PAC Club: Headquarters, April 27, 1 p.m. Do you like mysteries? If so come to the library to discuss “A to Z Mysteries” and enjoy related activities and craft. Call 704-216-8234 for more information.
Book Bites Club: South (only), April 30, 6:30 p.m., “The Glass Castle” by Jeannette Walls. Book discussion groups for adults and children meet the last Tuesday of each month. The group is open to the public and anyone is free to join at any time. There is a discussion of the book, as well as light refreshments at each meeting. For more information, please call 704-216-8229.
Displays for April: headquarters, Doll Society; South, student art from Carson High; East, stamping by Glenda Trexler.
Literacy: Call the Rowan County Literacy Council at 704-216-8266 for more information on teaching or receiving literacy tutoring for English speakers or for those for whom English is a second language.