This summer's reading theme is Dig
Into Reading! and with summer quickly approaching, children will soon
be out of school and on to the pool, the beach, and vacation. Students can move backward academically
during the summer if reading and learning are not continued and reading
achievement declines as well. But if
students read just six books over the summer, they can maintain their current
reading level, and, if they read between ten and twenty books of their own
choosing, they can actually increase reading achievement.
As always, Bernardsville Library’s
Youth Services Department is offering reading programs throughout the summer
for children through twelfth grade. In
addition to reading and prizes, the Library will host a number of programs, all
with free admission, to highlight this summer's theme. From "Make a Fossil" craft programs
to story times about worms and dinosaurs, the summer will be filled with
activities for all ages. Middle and high
schoolers will be able to earn community service hours in a book buddy reading
program.
Online sign-ups for Summer Reading
begin Monday, June 17, and there
will be a kick-off program, “Little Al Dinosaur” presented by the Pearl
Observatory, on Monday, June 24 at 6:30
pm. Children aged three and up will
be paleontologists for the day! They
will touch a real dinosaur egg, teeth and bones, and help rebuild 'Little
Al," the Allosaurus.
Plan to drop in to the many craft
programs and story times that will be offered in the coming months (no sign-up
is needed for these). In addition, on Friday, July 19, Mad Science will
present "Sea Life" and "Earthworks," and on Tuesday, July 30 at 6:30 pm, Kathy
Miller, nature photographer and author of the popular Chippy Chipmunk series
will speak about writing her books.
Check the library website, www.bernardsvillelibrary.org,
and the upcoming newsletter for more program details in July and August.
Registration for Summer Reading can
be accessed online from the library website.
Young readers will keep a log of their reading online. [Accommodations will be made for anyone without
access to a computer.] There is no
charge to attend the programs, but advance sign-up is sometimes required. Register online at www.bernardsvillelibrary.org and
follow the link under Kids, or call the library at 908-766-0118 to sign up.