Summer reading is underway. Stop by your Natrona County Public Library to register and join in the fun.
Download the Teen Events Calendar here. Check out the NCPL summer reading page for more information.
(This article was originally published in the May 26, 2015 issue of the Casper Journal.)
When you hear the word “hero” mentioned, any number of things may come to mind. For many, it may be someone who has done something special, maybe a firefighter or police officer. There are historical figures who have been tagged as heroes, and even animals that have saved lives or come to someone’s rescue. And judging from the number of superhero books we see checked out, there are many who associate “hero” with the likes of Superman, Batman and Captain America. Or, maybe it’s you, the parent, who is seen as a hero in the eyes of your child.
This summer’s reading program is “Every Hero Has a Story,” and we’re doing things a little differently this year. Summer Reading begins May 26, before school is out, and continues until August 31, just before time to return to school in the fall. Some of you may want to know why we’re switching things up. It’s actually pretty simple. Reading every day is important to the success of our children. We want parents and kids to realize that summer reading is an expectation and that reading through the summer plays an essential role in preventing the summer slide, where kids have to spend time catching up when they go back to school in September. With that in mind, we are encouraging participants of all ages (there’s a reading program for adults, too) to read (or be read to) at least 20 minutes a day.
In addition to keeping those reading powers activated, we have Rocky Mountain Puppets; musician, Andy Mason; Doctor Noize; The Incredible Mr. E; and Dragons Are Too Seldom Puppet Productions who will be soaring in to share their performance super powers throughout the summer with audiences of all ages. Our Tween Mondays will encourage fourth-, fifth- and sixth-graders to participate in not-so-perilous programs such as “Tie-Dye Tees,” “Cupcakes and Canvas” and “Zounds! Batman.” And not to be left out are our smallest superheroes: Launching Little Learners will take preschoolers to the library and beyond, helping them to discover the power that comes from books.
Our teen summer reading program will keep your seventh- through 12th-grade students busy as well. In addition to reading, teens will have opportunities to sharpen their crafty and science-based super powers each week during our Maker Tuesdays. Melted crayon art, tie dye, duct tape and Legos are just a few examples of the action that awaits them.
Teen Film Friday, Nerdfighter Night and a Dystopian Double Feature are perfect for movie masterminds, showcasing titles based on popular books. And Harry Potter fanatics are invited to celebrate his birthday on July 31 with a Tri-Wizard Cupcake Tournament and more. Book clubs will also continue to meet monthly.
So, make sure your children know summer reading is an expectation, but also remember to make it fun. And most importantly, show your children your superhero side: read along with them.
