Summer reading programs in Monroe

Registration is now open for six weeks of programing for youngsters and young adults

MONROE — Summer’s here, but don’t throw the books away. At Monroe Free Library, kids have the chance to earn prizes by reading over the summer. Once kids are signed up for the program, they are invited to attend five weeks of reading,

Free calendars are available at the library for families who don’t want to miss a thing.

There are a few firsts in this year’s Summer Reading Program. For one thing, every child who completes the program will win a prize. This year’s top prizes include four tickets to see the New York Yankees and Target gift cards, but there will also be toys, crafts and books. No kid is going home empty-handed.

Also, children of all ages are invited to participate - from babies through high school seniors!

Kids can sign up any time that the library is open between now and July 13. (The best time to sign up is at Chalk Night, the free family event tonight from 5:30 to 7 p.m.)

Once a kids are signed up, they make weekly appointments to read along with a teen volunteer, discuss books they’ve read and earn tickets.

At the end of the summer, those tickets are drawn in a raffle and prizes are awarded.

Walk-in events (mostly for younger kids)

The library will have sessions of their popular Story Time program, several times a week:

Little Dreamers Story Time is for babies and kids up to 35 months old.

Summer Time Story Time is for kids ages 3, 4, and 5 (who won’t enter kindergarten this fall).

Both of these Story Time programs count toward Summer Reading. The focus will be on younger (and gentler) play together - games, songs, and being read to. Kids can show up with no appointment, and register for Summer Reading while they’re there. They’ll receive prizes at the end of the summer.

Walk-In Story Time Is still offered, for fun, to families with kids of any age who want to stop in to hear a story.

Crafts (mostly for older kids)
The themes of this year’s program are “Dream Big” and “Own The Night,” and most crafts will have a nocturnal touch. Kids ages K though 5 can register for free.

July 7 and 14: Mommy & me craft: Patriotic Veggie Prints

We are going to make pictures with veggies and red, white and blue paint.

July 11 and 12: Stellar Constellation Viewer

This constellation viewer lets you see star formations through a punched sky. It’s a mini astronomy lesson with painting and glue - what could be better?

July 18 and 19: Magnif-eyes Binoculars

Decorate your very own 3x power folding binoculars. They are compact enough to fit in your pocket or backpack.

July 25 and 26: Tie- Dye Dream Journal

We are going to make a tie-dye (sort of) cover for a personal journal to record whatever you want in. Maybe your dreams?

Aug. 1 and 2: Mini StringArt Stars

This retro craft has actually been used to teach a mathematical principle - forming a rounded shape called a Bezier curve from straight lines. But it is so funkadelically awesome that you don’t have to be a geometry whiz to dig it!

Aug. 4 and 11: Butterfly Snack Pack

Make a butterfly snack pack filled with colorful delicious treats!

Guest Performers
July 13: Night Time in the Animal Kingdom

Join Animal Embassy on a journey through the fascinating night life of the animal kingdom! Kids (and their parents) will discover what nocturnal animals do while we are snug in our beds. Live animal ambassadors such as the red-eyed tree frog, a sugar glider, salamanders, geckos and more.

July 16: Magic with Domino the Great

Anybody can pull a rabbit out of a hat. Domino is the original funny bunny, and the most versatile comedy magician you’ve ever seen. This one-of-a-kind act keeps you suspended in laughter with a show featuring mind-boggling magic, slapstick comedy and masterful puppetry.

July 25: Cereal Box Collage Workshop with Michael Albert

Hands-on recycled pop art! Includes a breakfast cereal Meet and Greet to learn more about he artist.

July 30: Sukey Molloy
Recommended for ages 3 and under. A return engagement for an old friend. Join Sukey and Friends for an hour of sing-along fun with songs that make you happy from Sukey’s new CD, “I Am Happy!” Celebrate summer with Sunny, Tick Tock and Little Brella.

Aug. 1: Snake Man
Snakes try to bite the Snakeman, but have never succeeded - in more than 30 years. Many species of snakes for kids to see, touch, and discuss. Learn about the environment and how snakes do their part to keep nature in balance. What’s more fun than having your picture taken with a beautiful snake around your shoulders?

Aug. 7: Kurt Gallagher
Recommended for ages 3-5. Kurt’s on a lifelong journey to show children that music is made by people, not machines. He wants children to make as much music as possible during his performances.

Editor’s note: The article is a primer by Ian Murphy about the many aspects of the summer reading program at the Monroe Free Library.

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