The C.H. Booth Library’s Summer Reading kickoff was one for the books. The free event, which took place in the Edmond Town Hall theater on June 17, honored local literary advocate Louise Tambascio and had a special performance by internationally renowned Chinese acrobat Li Liu.

Welcoming the crowd was Douglas Lord, director of the C.H. Booth Library, who called the evening’s honoree, Ms Tambascio, up on stage. On behalf of the library’s Board of Trustees, he presented her with the 2019 Summer Reading Champion trophy.

Mr Lord explained that as the owner of My Place Restaurant, she has been “a local hero” by giving out free pizza slices to students who read books during the summer months.

“The kids read a book, they get a coupon for a slice, and then they come in to redeem it,” Ms Tambascio said in the library’s Summer Reading press release. “It’s a special time for them.”

While summer comes with many activities, Mr Lord encouraged students to be sure to include reading as part of their summer fun, too.

Following Ms Tambascio’s award acceptance was Children’s Librarian Alana Bennison, who let the audience know the day’s program was sponsored by the Friends of the C.H. Booth Library.

She introduced Ms Liu, saying, “She’s a very special acrobat who has been studying since she was 6 years old. She was born in Beijing, and she has performed all over the world.”

Dressed in a red one-piece leotard with flower embellishments on the side, Ms Liu took the stage and performed a variety of acrobatic acts — from plate spinning to ribbon dancing to one-handed handstands. Each portion delighted the audience and had many of the children on the edge of their seats with their eyes glued to Ms Liu’s every move.

“I’m very excited to be performing here today,” Ms Liu told the audience.

She explained how her journey as an acrobat started when she was just 6 years old and began training with her father. By the age of 7, she was enrolled in the Chinese National Circus schools in Beijing, where she worked hard, training for eight hours every day. When she turned 16, she went on to travel the world performing.

Today, she is 52 years old and has performed throughout Europe, Africa, and Asia with the Liaoning Acrobatic Arts Troupe; joined the Ringling Brothers and toured the United States for two years; and now she is a freelance performer that has been featured on NBA half-time shows and Princess Cruise Lines.

Between her acrobatic acts at the Edmond Town Hall, Ms Liu also engaged with the crowd, teaching them Chinese phrases and calling up volunteers on stage to learn some of the elements to her routines.

To learn more about the C.H. Booth Library’s Summer Reading Program, visit chboothlibrary.org or call 203-426-4533.