Digging out the bigger story: Bosque Museum connects young readers to Bosque County’s ancient past in library summer program
When children learn about prehistoric animals and the changing landscapes of the distant past, they gain a deeper appreciation for the living world around them and the responsibility to care for it.
Children at the Nellie Pederson Civic Library in Clifton got a hands-on introduction to Bosque County’s prehistoric past Monday morning as Bosque Museum executive director Erin Shields led the first program in the library’s 2026 Summer Reading Program.
Thirty-seven children and 11 adults attended the June 8 presentation, which was part of this year’s statewide summer reading theme “Unearth a Story.”
“This was a great turn out,” library executive director Lewis Stansell said, noting that 14 of the 37 children were visitors from Clifton ISD’s ESL program.
The hour-long program combined local history, science, reading and hands-on activities designed for young children. Drawing from fossils in the museum’s collection, Shields built the presentation around mammoths, the now-extinct large, elephant-like mammals that lived 4,000 years ago.
The Bosque Museum houses several mammoth teeth in its teaching collection, along with additional Ice Age artifacts on display. Using photographs, books and actual fossils, Shields introduced children to the mammoths that once roamed Central Texas.
“We did mammoths because it’s a part of the Bosque story, too,” Shields said.
Children learned the difference between woolly mammoths and the Colombian mammoths that lived in Texas thousands of years ago. Shields explained that unlike the fur-covered woolly mammoths of colder climates, Colombian mammoths looked much more like modern-day elephants.
The program encouraged active participation. Children used foam pool noodles as pretend tusks while learning how mammoths used them and took part in movement exercises designed to keep them engaged. The young participants also had the opportunity to handle mammoth teeth from the museum’s teaching collection.
A National Geographic book about early mammals served as part of the lesson. Library booster Cherie Rogers helped select books that complemented the presentation, and Shields said one family immediately asked to check out the featured title after the program.
Children also completed a mammoth-themed craft, tracing and cutting out handprints. Shields noted that activities involving cutting and detailed hand movements help develop fine motor skills that support early reading and writing.
The event was a collaborative effort between museum and library staff and volunteers. The library’s summer reading program coordinator Melissa Christensen rounded up themed snacks of crackers and spreadable cheese that children could “excavate,” matching the archaeological theme.
Participants also received special summer reading bags filled with books, bookmarks, reading challenges and other activities. Two recently inducted National Junior Honor Society students volunteered to help with the program.
Shields said she was encouraged by both the turnout and the enthusiasm shown by the children.
“It was busy, but wholesome busy,” Shields said, recalling children eagerly exploring the library’s book shelves after the presentation.
The June 8 event was the first in the library’s five-week summer reading program, which meets Mondays from 10-11 a.m. at the Nellie Pederson Civic Library. Each session includes a guest speaker, a book, an activity and a snack, and children may receive free books while supplies last. Parents are encouraged to accompany children under age 7.
Additional programs scheduled this summer include Captain Curtis Rust and his canine partner on June 15, Maria on June 22, Beth Fry presenting on musical instruments June 29 and Katy Williams on July 6.
If you missed Shield’s presentation, you will have another opportunity to catch it at Meridian Public Library June 16.
Residents interested in participating can contact the Nellie Pederson Civic Library, located at 406 Live Oak Street in Clifton, for more information.
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