Paws, Claws, Scales and Tales: 2006 Summer Reading Program

By Jerry Jones, Youth Services Coordinator

May 31, 2006

It may be tempting to put books and reading on the back burner this summer; however, studies show that kids who continue to read during the summer months don’t have to catch up as much when school resumes in the fall. Summertime provides the perfect opportunity for kids to read for fun, and Natrona County Public Library’s Summer Reading Program provides a perfect mix of books and programs that will help them maintain their reading levels.

Beginning Tuesday, June 6, it’s all about pets in the NCPL Children’s Department when we officially kick off the 2006 Summer Reading Program “Paws, Claws, Scales and Tales.”  Continuing through July 29 book lovers and pet lovers alike--children preschool through finishing 5th grade--can read “paw-some” books to earn prizes and participate in a menagerie of activities.

Storytimes suited to the littlest critters will be held Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday mornings at 10:30 am. Tail-wagging programs each Wednesday afternoon will feature a variety of performances including Markie Scholz’s Puppet Productions, Jim Jackson and his mischievous puppet-dog Busker, magician Geoffrey Thompson and “The Puppet Lady” Patti Smithsonian. 

Kids in grades 3 to 5 “fish”-ing for something to do will want to check our summer schedule of programs designed especially to catch them in the reading net. Musher Karen Land will share stories of dog racing, an afternoon will be spent hiking on the Audubon trail and the popular Dinner & a Movie programs that we’ve held for teens will be replicated for this younger set.

Throughout the summer participants will be able to earn prizes for the number of books they read or the time they spend reading. Whether you have a dog, cat, hamster or goldfish, “Paws, Claws, Scales and Tales” is a great way to get excited about reading.

Not to be left out, teens can spend their summer break exploring everything from animals in the wild to their own wild sides by signing up for “Creature Feature,” NCPL’s Summer Reading Program specifically for teens.  “Creature Feature” will have students who have completed grades 6 through 12 exploring a wide range of creatures as they track their reading progress to earn prizes and participate in a unique slate of summer programs.

The howling good times begin on Tuesday, June 6 with a Creature Feature Bash.  From 3:00 to 6:00 PM, teens are welcome to drop by the Teen Zone and celebrate the start of summer reading with food, prizes and animal crafts. During the summer months, teens can test their knowledge with Wild Animal Jeopardy, enjoy a Creature Feature Dinner & Movie, display their creative skills in film making, as well as meet with their friends at Metro for coffee and book discussions. The Creature Feature Finale, on July 28th, will be the ultimate blow-out with games, prizes, food and a movie.

Both “Paws, Claws, Scales and Tales” and “Creature Feature” are sponsored by the Casper Rockies, Target, McDonald’s and the Friends of the Library.  Stop by any of our NCPL locations or the Bookmobile for more information about these programs or call the library at 237-4935.

Back to Table of Contents