Newsletter: Derby tailor retires, library holds program about The Shapels, more

Dear readers,

Our latest Valley Voice newsletter features a Derby business owner retiring, kids learning about shapes at Derby Public Library, more.

Thanks for reading,

Patti and Ralph

Derby Public Library slates spring vacation fun for kids

DERBY - Derby Public Library has scheduled children's activities for April vacation.

April 16 - 10 a.m. – Musical Monday:

Children ages 2-7 are invited to Turn It Up music and movement. 

April 18 -10:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m. - Mystic Aquarium visits the library presenting their Touch Tank program. Everyone will have an opportunity to get up close with live creatures who call the ocean and shoreline their home. 

There will also be an ocean-themed story and craft. 
The event is geared for families with children ages 3-11, but younger siblings are invited.

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April 19 - 10 a.m. - noon - Drop-In Crafty Kids will be held for ages 4-11. Think spring and put those creative talents to work completing a variety of art and craft projects. 

April 20 - 10 a.m. – The SHAPELS are coming! Local author Evie North shares her latest SHAPELS adventure story. 
The program is geared for preschoolers, but siblings younger and older are welcome to attend. 
Registration is requested.

Ongoing weekly story times for children six months through six years old will also be offered during school vacation week.

Registration is requested. Call 203-736-1482.

The Library is at 313 Elizabeth St.

Meet The Shapels at Ansonia Library

ANSONIA - My artistic friend Evie North of Derby will visit the Ansonia Library at 10 a.m. Thursday to introduce children ages 5 and under to characters she has created called The Shapels.

You can read all about them here.

For information call 203-734-6275. The Ansonia Library is at 53 S. Cliff St. 


This information is shared from the Ansonia Library website.

Ansonia Library to hold summer programs for kids

Sharing this info from Facebook ~ it looks like a lot of summer fun is planned for the kids!

Derby artist pens story about a tiny snowman

Tommy Triangle, a Shapel character, poses with the 'Littlest Snowman'  

DERBY - City resident Evelyn C. North recently penned "The Littlest Snowman," a delightful tale that is based on a true story.

North, an artist, is the creator of The Shapels, a group of friendly characters crafted from simple shapes. They teach young children math, language skills, and more in a fun and engaging way. 

Tommy Triangle (pictured above) is one of The Shapels, who coincidentally live in Shapeltown.

North said the snowman story came from the imagination of her now-grown son when he was about five years old.

She said, "Even though there was hardly any snow on the ground, he insisted that he was going to build a snowman. He surprised us with a tiny little snowman - 8 inches tall!"

That long ago memory was the inspiration for the story, which you can read here. 

For more information about The Shapels, please check out this story I wrote for the New Haven Register.

North said anyone who wishes to contact her about The Shapels may do so at shapels@shapels.com. 

Her e-books are available at Amazon.com and at barnesandnoble.com, and hardcover copies are for sale at The Ice Cream Shoppe, 59 Bridgeport Ave., Shelton.