Plan a Family Weekend in Tulsa!, by Jennifer - MetroFamily Magazine
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Plan a Family Weekend in Tulsa!, by Jennifer

by Jennifer Geary

Reading Time: 2 minutes 

If you’ve read through the August issue of MetroFamily Magazine, you may have noticed the article on all the fun things to do in Tulsa.  (And if you haven’t read it yet, read it now!)  If you’re looking for a good time to head up the turnpike, you might want to consider August 24-26.  Why?  A couple of great reasons!

First, in August 24 the Tulsa Library Trust will give out the Anne V. Zarrow Award for Young Readers’ Literature to Jacqueline Woodson.  This award is given out each August to an exceptional author, and the best part is that you can go to the ceremony (for free!) and meet the author!  The author gives a speech and there is a question and answer time.  Books are available for purchase and you can even have your book signed!  I have gone for several years with friends and we’ve gotten to see Jane Yolen, Avi, Kate DiCamillo, Phyllis Reynolds Naylor, and Kathryn Lasky. 

Meeting an author is a great experience for kids!  My son hasn’t gone to the awards ceremony with me since the authors have usually written books a bit above his level, but soon I’ll be taking him with me.  We’ve gone to meet several other authors and illustrators before, such as Jan Brett, and it’s fun to see the person responsible for putting those words and pictures down on paper!  I’ve been collecting signed books for my kids since before they were born and they always like it when I pull out a signed copy for them.  If you can’t make this presentation—or even if you can—you should mark November 16 on your calendar to come see Mo Willems!

After you visit the library Friday evening, you can head over to Gilcrease for another great educational experience.  Discover the Real George Washington: New Views from Mount Vernon is an exhibition of objects from Washington’s life.  This is sure to be a fascinating exhibit, and even better, parents and grandparents can get in free with a school-aged child.  Just be sure to bring admission fee waiver form with you!  While you’re at Gilcrease, take some time to play in the kids’ room, and if it’s not too hot, enjoy the beautiful grounds.  (Though honestly, you may just need to come back in a couple of months for the outside stuff since it’s likely to still feel like an oven at the end of the month!)

Since you’ve got two fabulous FREE educational opportunities, this would be a great time to come visit Tulsa!

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