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Puppeteer brings laughter, learning to Esky library

Noah Johnson Daily Press Puppeteer Kevin Kammeraad visited the Escanaba Library on Tuesday to perform Wimee's Words Live. Guests got to meet different puppets including Wimee the Robot. The event took place in the Escanaba City Council chambers.

ESCANABA – Families packed the Escanaba City Council Chambers, but instead of meeting, guests had a day of fun and laughter with a famous puppeteer.

The Escanaba Library, as a part of its Summer Reading Program, invited renowned puppeteer Kevin Kammeraad to perform for local families.

“Kids love puppets and Kevin comes highly recommended,” said Escanaba Library Director Carolyn Stacey.

Kammeraad and his puppet friends bring music and books to life for all to enjoy.

“The show is called Wimee’s Words Live and the idea is to spark creative thinking and wordplay and to do that through puppetry and music,” Kammeraad said.

Kammeraad has been a puppeteer since 1999, and is visiting 11 libraries throughout the Upper Peninsula and in Alpena.

Puppet friends such as Wimee the Robot, Moby and Critter joined Kammeraad for a day of dancing, singing and laughter.

Kids met each puppet and sang and danced along to various songs.

Critter performed tricks for guests, and Wimee was very popular as he told several jokes that made the kids explode with laughter.

Kammeraad said he greatly enjoys performing for families, especially at local libraries.

“I love performing at libraries,” Kammeraad said.

“I love to encourage kids to follow their creative instincts and to do a show so that is at one of the best places in the world, the library, it just fits in,” he said.

He said he hopes the kids have fun at the even, but he also wants them to leave inspired.

“I hope they know that they have fun and I hope kids leave the show wanting to continue playing with words and performing and singing to spark their creative thinking,” Kammeraad said.

“The catchphrase we often use is that with Wimee and friends, our goal is to empower kids to create instead of consume.”

If you missed the event, Wimee’s Words the TV show is online at pbs.org, or on YouTube by searching “Wimee.”

To learn more about Kammeraad, visit www.kevinkammeraad.com.

There is still time to register for the Children’s/Teens Summer Reading Program at the library which runs through Aug. 4.

For more information, visit escanabalibrary.org.

Noah Johnson Daily Press
Puppeteer Kevin Kammeraad talks to kids through a puppet named Critter during his show at the Escanaba Library. The event took place in the Escanaba City Council chambers.

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