How a New Store Owner is Helping Kids Overcome Challenges
“This thing you are afraid of can turn into your superpower,” says Sarah Glesner of Sarah’s Serpentarium.
Twenty years ago, Glesner picked up a ball python snake at the Lake Superior Zoo, turned to the 35 pairs of eyes staring back at her, and froze. Unable to speak and barely able to move her limbs, she started to shake. The second graders looked up at her expectantly, waiting for her presentation.
It was her first year volunteering at the zoo and she was excited to work with animals. Handing the snake to the other teacher, she left the room, her fear of public speaking coming to a head. “I took a day to consider my future. Then I made myself do it again and again,” says Glesner.
Public speaking can bring up many fears: looking foolish, a negative perception from others and public embarrassment, to name a few. These are also some of the emotions children face when reading aloud in class. And one of the many reasons Glesner offers the Read to A Reptile Program in partnership with the Superior Public Library.
Read to a Reptile
The owner of Sarah’s Serpentarium, Glesner used that moment of fear to build strength and resilience. Now she wants to help children who struggle to read aloud learn to do the same. “These animals are quite therapeutic, grounding, even calming,” she says. “They respond to how you are physically moving and feeling.”
Started in 2023, and modeled after the popular Read to a Dog Program, each child is allotted 15 minutes with Sarah and the reptile of her choice in a quiet room just off the kids’ section. Kids are invited to read to the reptile, always held by Glesner, while parents or guardians can watch. Glesner brings tortoises, turtles, geckos and other “public-friendly” animals that behave well in social situations and tolerate being handled for extended periods of time. None of the animals she brings are aggressive.
With every monthly session full and many repeat visitors, the library asked Sarah to expand the program to twice monthly. Glesner believes part of the success is due to the creatures themselves.
“Animals provide a buffer, a casual atmosphere for kids to work on their skills,” she says.
An avid reader herself, Glesner also has a background working with children. Growing up, her mother ran a childcare center in the family home. She also completed three years in Music Education at the University of Minnesota Duluth, where she learned tips for keeping kids engaged.
“I love working with kids. They are naturally curious and open to learning about the natural world,” she says.
Kelly Wiisanen, Youth and Family Resource Manager at the Superior Public Library, is thrilled with the outcome. “We have had overwhelming success with our monthly Read to a Reptile program, and there is almost always a waitlist. We get a lot of repeat families! Once they participate in Read to a Reptile, they’re hooked!”
The Tortoise and the Reader
The program has had several success stories. Glesner reported one child was so nervous about reading in class he was working with a speech therapist. At the first session, not yet feeling comfortable reading aloud, she encouraged him to read quietly next to the tortoise. After a while he felt more comfortable and asked to feed it blueberries.
At the second session, after a few minutes of silent reading, Glesner asked him about his book and he told her how much he liked reading. By the third session, he was able to read one page aloud to Glesner and the animal. The family came back every month for six months. At the end of that period, the child’s mother told Glesner he is now able to read aloud in class.
“Sarah is so knowledgeable about her animals, she makes everyone feel comfortable, and she does a great job sharing her passion with others,” says Wiisanen. “While the program is geared toward beginning readers, older children and teens are also welcome to participate.”
Bearded Dragons and Birthday Parties
Opened in May 2026, Sarah’s Serpentarium is located in the former Superior Post Office. When first entering, there may be rhythmic tapping from one of the tanks. Princess Pumpkin Fettucine, a rescue bearded dragon, banging on the glass, her face pressed against the tank. “She’s used to sitting on my shoulder,” admitted Glesner ruefully.
Glesner already has many plans to help the community. Her first goal is to provide an alternative resource for those in the reptile community rather than the larger animal stores. She also wanted to provide a place where people can comfortably interact with reptiles, a classification of animals that elicit fear in many.
By July 2026, she had completed 60 programs in the community, the majority of them with children, educating the public about the care and habits of amphibians. Packing up her animals in totes and padded cages, she brings them to summer camps, preschools, childcare centers and family childcares. She also offers presentations at private events like birthday parties and other gatherings. All of these events require public speaking.
As they often do, traumatic moments in life can forever change the way we live.
“I took a day to consider my future, and then I made myself do it again and again,” Glesner tells about the day she panicked at the Lake Superior Zoo. “Now I intentionally put myself in situations where I practice public speaking.”
Admitting she was afraid for the first few years, she knew she didn’t want to feel that way forever. So she did it until she wasn’t. “When I hit that wall of fear, my natural inclination is to ask why.”
Glesner also seeks to be a resource to the community. She first began working with exotic animals 20 years ago as a docent at the zoo. “I always knew I’d be working closely with animals,” says Glesner.
After several years there, she became a Naturalist at the Hawk Ridge Bird Observatory in Duluth. From there, she went back to school and finished her undergraduate degree, this time in Biology from the University of Wisconsin-Superior.
A Wheelhouse of Services
Sarah’s Serpentarium also offers an adoption program for reptiles voluntarily surrendered or found in the community who need new homes. After it is cleared by a veterinarian, she matches them with a new family.
The surrender program is available to anyone who can no longer care for or house their reptile. “This is common with financial changes, medical changes or conflicts with a landlord,” says Glesner.
The Serpentarium will also offer classes this fall for small groups with themes such as owning a leopard gecko and overcoming one’s fears of reptiles. The interactive classes will include hands-on learning about owning reptiles.
Finally, reading and reptiles may become more common in the area as she hopes to expand with more programs and a wider audience in the Twin Ports. She’s currently in conversation with several bookstores to include a reptile reading and presentation time.
The Stuff of Legends
Not everyone, however, shares her love of snakes and geckos; something Glesner understand. “Reptiles were an unexpected love for me,” she says. “They are one of the most misunderstood groups of animals, largely due to stories and folklore.”
Despite being beautiful and complex, Glesner feels they are overlooked largely because most people are used to the body language of mammals. “Interacting with reptiles and amphibians can feel foreign, but in nature there are many ways of defining intelligence and theirs is unique.”
A Lifetime Passion
There is no doubt Sarah Glesner is in the right place, helping her community and educating them about reptiles. “It’s my favorite thing in the whole world,” she says. “I’m never over it. I’m never tired of speaking about someone’s pet corn snake.”
Parents and guardians can sign up for Read to a Reptile at the Superior Public Library by emailing Kelly Wiisanen at the Superior Public Library: wiisanenk@superiorlibrary.org. The program is free and open to the public.
Rose M. Fife is a Duluth-based freelance writer and musician.
