Creatures from around the world entertain crowds at program hosted by Breckenridge library, fine arts center
By Carla McKeown/Breckenridge Texan
The Breckenridge Fine Arts Center’s main gallery was filled with children and critters last week when The Creature Teacher program came to town as part of the Breckenridge Library’s summer reading program.
Carley Baum with The Creature Teacher shows Charming, a Red Coatimundi, to the crowd at the Breckenridge Fine Arts Center on June 20. Click here to see more photos. (Photo by Tony Pilkington/Breckenridge Texan)
Emiley Brewer and Carley Baum from The Creature Teacher nature center in Waxahachie brought a collection of animals to show the kids on Thursday, June 20. After the show, everyone had a chance to pet a couple of the creatures — Thor the boa constrictor and Peaches, a 7-month-old red kangaroo. And, a few lucky audience members were allowed to hold Peaches for some photos.
Brewer narrated the show, describing the animals, their native lands, habitats, foods, etc., while Baum showed the animals to the kids and adults in the gallery.
When it came time to introduce Giggles the laughing kookaburra, Brewer explained that the bird of prey was still being trained. So, the doors to the gallery were closed, just in case Giggles decided to take a flight around the room.
“If she decides to coast across the audience, don’t fear. She’s not going to land on your head; she’s going to go find a place on the ground to perch, and then we will collect her,” Brewer explained as she opened the door to the enclosure and coaxed Giggles onto a wooden perch. Giggles behaved during her time out of the travel cage, and the gallery doors were reopened after she was put back in the cage.
Rynlie McLane was one of a few audience members chosen to hold Peaches, the red kangaroo, for a few minutes. (Photo by Tony Pilkington/Breckenridge Texan)
The last animal shown to the audience was Peaches. Content in her travel pouch, the 7-month-old red kangaroo was convinced to follow Baum around with a bottle. Then, she nibbled on snacks as the kids lined up to pet her on top of the head.
The Creature Teacher line up included:
- Jaba, the Pixie Frog from Africa
- Quillie Nelson, an African Crested Porcupine from Sub-Saharan Africa
- Thor, a Boa Constrictor, native to the Amazon rainforest in South America
- Charming, a Red Coatimundi from South America
- Giggles, a Laughing Kookaburra, a native of Australia
- Peaches, a 7-month-old Red Kangaroo, also native to Australia
Click here to see the Breckenridge Texan’s Photo Gallery from The Creature Teacher program.
The Breckenridge Library’s summer reading program will continue through July 16. The program will include a story time and activity for children in third grade and younger at 2 p.m. on Tuesdays in the library, 209 N. Breckenridge Ave.
The library is open from 10:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. and from 1:30 to 5:30 p.m. Monday through Thursday. For more information, call the library at 254-559-5505.
Emiley Brewer with The Creature Teacher held Thor the Boa Constrictor while those attending the program on June 20 petted him. (Photo by Tony Pilkington/Breckenridge Texan)
Baze Russell, left, and Drake Bearden get a closer look at Giggles the Laughing Kookaburra after The Creature Teacher program last week. The two boys helped out with the event, which was a part of the Breckenridge Library’s Summer Reading Program. (Photo by Tony Pilkington/Breckenridge Texan)
Cutline, top photo: Everyone attending The Creature Teacher program at the Breckenridge Fine Arts Center on June 20 had a chance to pet Peaches the Red Kangaroo. The program was a part of the Breckenridge Library’s Summer Reading Program, which will continue through July 16. Click here to see more photos from the show. (Photo by Tony Pilkington/Breckenridge Texan)
