June 2014 Bookmark: The Pelham Library’s Summer Reading Program: “Fizz Boom Read” with Science, a Reading Game, and More!

As surely as summer follows spring, summer at the Town of Pelham Public Library means the Summer Reading Program, a time for loads of enjoyable kid-friendly programs from family movie nights to activities – and the annual reading game!

This year’s theme, “Fizz Boom Read,” was created by the Association for Library Service to Children, part of the American Library Association. It focuses on hands-on summer science activities, though, as you’ll see below, they are only part of the action. The season is anchored, of course, by the Summer Reading Game, which gives children fun incentives to keep reading all summer long.

”Each year, the staff and I look forward to welcoming new and returning readers to the Library’s Summer Reading Game,” says Library Director Patricia Perito.

Reading encompasses more than books, adds Children’s Services Librarian Lilly Hecker. “Children may want check out magazines, audio books, Playaways and other materials that encourage literacy,” she said. “Summer is the perfect time to try new activities. Ask me to show you our new stuff.”

The Summer Reading Game: A Chance to Read What You Want

If the school year has its share of required reading, summer is a time for children to expand their horizons. That, more than anything, is what Ms. Hecker hopes kids are able to do by participating in the Library’s Summer Reading Game. She champions summer as a time for all readers to experiment with new series and genres and feel free not to finish a book they don’t like.

“There is no reason in the summer to read a book that’s boring,” she says.

The game is open to pre-schoolers through eighth graders. Pre-school kids can sign-up for the Game and win their free, new book from the Library after listening to six stories to qualify for a free, new book from the Library; school-age children should read three age-appropriate books before signing up and getting their book prize. Additional prizes will also be available from the Library’s treasure chest for those who read more.

Sign-up begins as soon as school lets out on Thursday, June 26 and concludes on Thursday, July 31.

It wouldn’t be the Summer Reading Game without the end-of-summer ice cream party for kids who participated. It will be held on Thursday, August 28 at 2 p.m. Read, win prizes, and then create your own sundae!

(If you’re a teen and would like to volunteer to help with the program – and get credit toward the community service graduation requirement at Pelham Memorial High School – please call Ms. Hecker at 738-1234.)

A Summer of Science, Movies, Storytime – and Even Dogs

Want to find out how energy works? Watch a Star Wars movie? Listen to a story? Read to a dog? Kids will be able to do all these things at the Library during the summer months.

The summer kicks off with a visit from Jeff Boyer, also known as Mr. Energy. For children ages 4 and up, this show – which invites audience participation – entertains while it instructs, using everyday objects to illustrate how energy works. Space is limited; sign-up is required by calling the Library at 738-1234.

For a full schedule of summer activities, see below:

Monday Movies at 6:30 p.m.

October Sky, July 7: Starring Jake Gyllenhaal, this 1999 movie tells the true story of a coal-miner’s son who, inspired by Sputnik 1, follows his dream of going into rocketry.

Up, July 14: This 2009 Pixar animated classic follows elderly widower Carl Fredricksen and earnest young explorer Russell as they go on an unexpected, life-changing adventure in South America.

Pay It Forward, July 21: Kevin Spacey, Haley Joel Osment and Kevin Spacey star in this drama about a boy who aims to change the world by paying good deeds forward to people who need them.

Star Wars: The Clone Wars, July 28: The movie that spawned a similar TV series; this is the only animated Star Warsfilm.

Craft Wednesdays at 2:00 p.m.

On Wednesdays throughout July – with the exception of July 2 – the Library will host crafts at the Library for ages four and up. Sign-up is required by calling 738-1234. The schedule is below:

Make a Thaumatrope: July 9. A popular Victorian toy, a thaumatrope is a card with a picture on each side, which, when twirled, creates the illusion of being one picture.

Make Some Snowflakes: July 23. Hot outside? Do something cool by making paper snowflakes!

Time to Make a Tangram: July 30. Make a tangram that tells a story, in a variation on this seven-piece puzzle challenge.

Science Thursdays at 2:00 p.m.

In keeping with the “Fizz Boom Read” theme of the Summer Reading Program, most Thursdays in July will feature science projects for children ages 4 and up. No sign-up is required.

Grow a Different Kind of Garden: July 10. Make a colorful garden, not out of flowers, but salt crystals!

Will It Float? July 17. Come to the Library to conduct experiments about floating.

Towering Achievement: July 24. Build your own tower – out of straws!

Going (and Reading) to the Dogs

On Saturdays July 12 and August 9, children of all ages are invited to come and read to therapy dogs Nettie, Olivia and Charlie. Both programs run from 10:15 to 11:15 a.m. No sign-up is required.

And, Of Course, Storytime

Storytime continues throughout the summer on its usual schedule: Tuesdays for children age 3 – 5 at 10:30 a.m.; Wednesdays for children under age two at 10:30 a.m.

See you this summer at the Library! (And please note, that Saturday summer hours begin June 7; the Library will be open from 10 a.m. – 1 p.m.)

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QUICK READ: CHALLENGE OTHER LIBRARIES’ TEAMS TO “THE BATTLE OF THE BOOKS”!

Entering grades 4 – 6 in September? Then you can join the Pelham Library team, which will compete on Saturday, October 18 against other libraries in “The Battle of the Books,” a quiz game that tests readers’ knowledge.

Here’s the game plan:

First, read these five novels by October: From the Mixed-up Files of Mrs. Basil E. Frankweiler by E.L. Konigsburg; The One and Only Ivan, by Katherine Applegate; Titanic: Voices From the Disaster, by Deborah Hopkinson; The City of Ember, by Jeanne DuPrau; When You Reach Me, by Rebecca Stead.

Second, come to “practice” at the Library on three summer Tuesdays at 1:00 p.m. The initial session, on June 24, will focus on a practice battle for the first book, with sessions on the next two books on July 15 and 29. (Contestants may miss a meeting due to summer plans.) Meetings continue in September and October; date and time will be decided by the group.

The location for the actual “Battle of the Books” is still being determined.

The winning team will get a trophy to be displayed until the next “Battle” takes place. The top three teams will win prizes; all participating students will receive a certificate.

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Upcoming Children’s Programs

Storytime: Tuesdays for ages 3-5, 10:30 – 11 a.m.; Wednesdays, two and under, 10:30 – 11 a.m. 

Upcoming Adult Programs

Book Club: Thursday, June 12, 7:30 – 8:45 p.m. In its last meeting before the summer hiatus, the Book Club will discussMaine, by J. Courtney Sullivan. The novel centers on three generations of women in the Kelleher family, all staying in the summer cottage that was won in a barroom bet in 1945.

Individualized Computer and Device Instruction: Call the Library at 738-1234 to make a Monday morning appointment for individualized instruction in popular computer programs such as Microsoft Word and Excel. You can also bring your smartphone or tablet to the Library and learn how to get started with apps that give library patrons access to free e-books, e-audiobooks, e-music and more.

(All Library programs are free and open to the public. Out of courtesy for fellow attendees, please be on time.)

 

Reprinted from The Pelham Weekly, Friday, May 30, 2014, Page 15. Used by permission.