Riverside Public Library
Riverside Reads 2023
This year’s Riverside Reads program focuses on the importance of pet adoption and fostering in our community. Many animals adopted during the COVID-19 quarantine were later released or returned to overcrowded shelters once the quarantine was lifted. In her book Poppy in the Wild, Teresa J. Rhyne shares a heart-warming true account of the powerful bond that exists between humans and animals and her personal joy of rescuing dogs. She shares her experience with rescue specialists, volunteers, psychics, a Native American who works with owls, helpful neighbors, decidedly unhelpful strangers, a howling woman, and the police. This network assisted in finding her lost rescue beagle named Poppy who escaped from a potential foster family in the vast wilderness of the 1500-acre Sycamore Canyon Wilderness Area, which is where we begin our story…
Riverside Reads is the annual presentation of the Book to Action funding opportunity in the City of Riverside.
About Book to Action
Book to Action, a Library Services and Technology Act (LSTA) funding opportunity, encourages public libraries to engage with community partners to provide book-themed programming and related opportunities for lifelong learning. Book to Action initiatives tackle important issues in the community and encourage reading, community discussion, and action through a flexible series of events. Book to Action projects aim to be responsive to community needs and aspirations, with the goal of increasing civic engagement, community connections, and volunteerism, while also encouraging reading and conversation around important community topics.
About the Author
Teresa is the #1 New York Times, #1 Wall Street Journal, and USA Today bestselling author of The Dog Lived (and So Will I) and its sequel, The Dogs Were Rescued (and So Was I), which was awarded the Pat Santi Memorial Friend of Animals Award by the Dog Writer’s Association of America. She was awarded the Albert Schweitzer Humanitarian of the Year award by the Riverside Humane Pet Adoption Center in 2008 and divides her time between Riverside and Paso Robles, California, with her beagles.
Programs
MEET AND GREET FEATURING THE AUTHOR: TERESA J. RHYNE
Meet this year’s Riverside Reads author, Teresa J. Rhyne, and her beagle friends! Participants will receive a free signed copy of her book, Poppy in the Wild, while supplies last. Her other two books will be made available for purchase.
Kick-Off Event
Saturday, February 4 | 10AM-12PM
Ameal Moore Nature Center
400 Central Ave.
Riverside, CA 92507
Wednesday, March 1 | 11AM-3PM
Foster Army Animal Rescue
3711 Central Ave.
Riverside, CA 92506
Tuesday, March 7 | 3:30-5:30PM
Mary S. Roberts Pet Adoption Center
6165 Industrial Ave.
Riverside, CA 92504
These events will include animal rescue experts, special guests, storytellers, a pet pillow or pet toy craft, information and, of course, the opportunity to meet gentle animals available for fostering and adoption. Daily (Riverside Rover) and Overnight (Rover Over) fostering options are available at Mary S. Roberts Pet Adoption Center.
PET JOURNAL DESIGN
Design a pre-printed Riverside Reads journal or create one of your own, dedicated to your pet, or the pet you dream of having. All supplies provided, all ages welcome.
Thursday, February 9 | 3-4:30PM
SSgt Salvador J. Lara Casa Blanca Library
PET PORTRAIT PAINTING PARTY
Paint a portrait of your pet or the pet you dream of having!
All supplies provided, all ages welcome.
Saturday, February 18 | 3:30-5PM
Main Library
Saturday, February 25 | 3-4:30PM
Arlington Library
Thursday, March 2 | 3:30-5PM
La Sierra Library
Thursday, March 2 | 4-5:30PM
Orange Terrace Library
Tuesday, March 7 | 3:30-5PM
SPC Jesus S. Duran Eastside Library
Thursday, March 9 | 3-4:30PM
SSgt Salvador J. Lara Casa Blanca Library
Wednesday, March 15 | 4-5:30PM
Marcy Library
Saturday, March 18 | 11AM-12:30PM
Arlanza Library
TAKE-IT-&-MAKE-IT: PET BOWS
Make your own dog bows! Fabric and instructions provided. Options for a small or medium sized dog.
February 8-28
All Riverside Public Library Locations
POPPY & PALS SCAVENGER HUNT
Learn more about your local library through a scavenger hunt and win a special prize. Pick up your scavenger hunt instructions and prize at any Riverside Public Library during the dates listed below and have fun!
March 14-March 28
All Riverside Public Library Locations
