What can you find at the Clark Park farmer’s market? Apples, greens, eggs...and librarians? Last month shoppers were treated to fresh tales in an unexpected place, cooked up by West Philadelphia Children’s Librarians. Between shopping for kale and battling in an epic adventure, Clark Park visitors could catch a story presented by Children’s Librarians from the Kingessing, Blanche A. Nixon/Cobbs Creek, Walnut West, Eastwick, Lucien E. Blackwell Regional and Paschalville Libraries.

Ms. Kim, Children’s Librarian at Kingessing, donned an old fashioned paper soda jerk hat and transformed into Ebenezer Bleezer from the Jack Prelutsky poem, “Bleezer’s Ice Cream.” Look out Little Baby’s! Bleezer’s “Cocoa Mocha Macaroni” and “Tapioca Smoked Baloney” were most certainly the weirdest ice cream flavors in West Philly that day.

The littlest visitors were at the edge of their blankets when Ms. Susan, Children’s Librarian at Walnut West, shouted “Snip snap!” as she slithered toward the audience, mimicking the alligator from Mara Bergman’s picture book.

Ms. Sandy demonstrated Piggie’s funky trumpet playing, Ms. Sarah read about the Gruffalo’s terrible teeth, Ms. Kate showed off Pete the Cat’s beloved new shoes, and Ms. Jamie explained why a walk in the woods with a goose is not a good idea.

More than 70 kids, parents, grandparents, caregivers and storytime fans came out for Tales at the Turtle. This summer, make sure to keep an eye out for the Free Library’s Children’s Librarians. You never know where they will turn up next.