The 2011 Summer Reading Program was held Monday - Friday, June 27 through July 1 from 10:30 - 11:30 am each day in the Lied Auditorium, where the children were divided into two age groups: 2 - 5 years and 6 - 10 years. Since the theme for this National Reading Program was “One World, Many Stories”, the kids learned about different countries and cultures each day through interesting books, a variety of arts and crafts, and interesting foods. The first day they were greeted by a Quaker Parrot named Harley, and each morning the younger children traveled to their reading destination (the Library Fireplace) by a means that related to the country of the day, which included a bus, a train, a boat, a dragon walk and a walk-about. The older age group was able to experience, and at times help prepare food from different countries such as Quesadillas, Pizza, authentic Thai sweet (sticky) rice, which was eaten with chop sticks, and real coconuts and tropical fruit. The countries visited included: Mexico & South America; Europe (Germany, Spain, France, England, Italy, Netherlands); Asia (Japan & China); Africa & Egypt and Australia & Indonesia. On Friday children and parents were entertained by a speaker, Lon Knievel, who shared with them, and even wore, authentic Tribal artifacts and accessories, which him and his family obtained during their time spent in the jungles of Papua New Guinea.
SRP Kids Enjoy Ice Cream Sundaes & Reading
Nearly 50 kids, along with siblings, parents, and volunteers, gathered in the Lied Auditorium at the Raymond A. Whitwer Tilden Public Library on Thursday morning, July 28th for the Ice Cream Sundaes & Awards Event, which ended this year’s Summer Reading Program. During this event, kids who previously participated in the SRP activities week received their reading certificates, t-shirts and goodie bags. Abbey and Danielle Larson, who were the team leaders during the activities week, started off the event reviewing all of the places that the children “visited” and the different languages they learned. Since the goal of the National Summer Reading Program is to encourage children to enjoy reading, awards and recognition were given to two outstanding readers from both SRP age groups who checked out and read the most books in the past month. Receiving awards in the 2 – 5 year old group was Jack Qualset, who read 59 books and Jacob Lind who read 51 books. Alexis Lind topped out the 6 – 10 year old group by reading 57 books. 2nd place in that age group was tied between Angel Qualset and Kody Qualset, both reading 15 books, earning each an award. Congratulations go out to these young readers, and the rest children who continued reading throughout the month. Ending the event, the kids enjoyed making Ice Cream Sundaes with chocolate and vanilla ice cream, whipped cream, chocolate syrup, a variety of toppings and of course, a cherry on top! The National theme for the 2012 Summer Reading Program will be “Dream Big – Read”.