Scenes of Summer

Summer Reading is in full effect! Every day, the Children's Library sees hundreds of kids and families. We provide storytimes for many daycares, day camps, and youth programs throughout the city. We provide a FREE public program every single day. And...we have our SUMMER READING GAME, where kids can earn points and raffle tickets for cool prizes like an iPad Mini!

Here are some scenes of summer, but stop in to see all this stuff in action!

Summer Science Countdown

Every year, the state picks a summer reading theme for all of the libraries to follow. This year, we’re donning lab coats and strapping on goggles because this year’s theme is “Fizz, Boom, Read!” and revolves around science, technology, and engineering. 

Check out these 5 ways to get scientific with us this summer at the Reading Public Library:  

#1 Summer Steampunk Party - June 7 at 11 am 

#2 Mad Science Junk Fair - Mondays at 4 pm (starting June 9). Entries due in August. 

#3 Magic Tree House Club - Tuesdays at 4 pm (starting June 10)

#4 Grossology - Saturday June 21, July 19, and August 16 at 12:30 pm

#5 Super Science Book Club - Saturday June 28, July 26, and August 23 at 11 am

No Kiddin': Kid Books Adults will Love

Kids shouldn’t have all the fun. Check out these children’s novels that are perfect for an adult to read:

The Riverman by Aaron Starmer

Details: Twelve year old Alistair gets a strange request from his even stranger neighbor Fiona: she asks him to write her biography. Claiming she can visit a dream world where a villain called the Riverman is attacking her friends, Alistair begins to wonder if his flaky neighbor can really visit imaginary worlds, or if her stories are a desperate plea for help with her real-life family.

Why adults should read it: The author knows what he’s doing—red herrings abound and a slew of creepy neighbors keep you guessing at the mysterious plot. The writing is sophisticated and action scenes are laced with danger—just because it’s a kids’ book doesn’t mean someone’s not going to get hurt.Hidden under the mystery and fantasy is a good old fashioned coming of age story. 

Excerpt:  "To sell a book, you need a description on the back. So here's mine: My name is Fiona Loomis. I was born on August 11, 1977. I am recording this message on the morning of October 13, 1989. Today I am thirteen years old. Not a day older. Not a day younger."

Want to read The Riverman? Put it on hold on our online catalog HERE.

The Arrival by Shaun Tan

Details: A father waves a sad goodbye to his family and embarks on a journey to a new country unlike anything he—or you—has ever seen.

Why adults should read it: It’s magic. Completely wordless, the reader must figure out the strange customs and bewildering surroundings in much the same way the main character must. You become so invested in this world that you are just as thankful as the main character when someone comes along to help him figure out how life works here. The various characters he meets tell their own stories of immigration (most are fantasy-veiled stories referring to very real plights) and their longing to find a better and safer place is tear-jerking.

Excerpt:

  Would you like to check out The Arrival? Put it on hold in our catalog HERE.

May Events in the Children's Library

Lots of great events are happening this month! Check out our May calendar:

 

Win tickets to see Scooby Doo Live at the Santander Performing Arts Center on May 16! How? Just check out a mystery book from our collection and fill out an entry form! 

The library's Family Play Dates are Mondays at 4 pm in May! Use this time to play with your child, meet other parents, and get parenting tips from education professionals! 

 

Our annual and award-winning Healthy Kids Fair is back on Wednesday May 21 at 4 pm. Visit our health stations to gather information on hygiene, exercise,  and nutrition. Our Fair also features cool giveaways and prizes! 

Get crafty with us every Wednesday at 4 pm at Crafty Corner. Children get to create a new craft each week.

Clara the therapy dog is coming to visit us on Wednesday, May 14 at 4 pm. Come read to Clara, a licensed therapy dog, and her owner who love reading with kids. Recent studies show that children who are intimidated to read out loud in class gain confidence when they get the chance to read in a non-judgmental environment with the best listeners around-- animals! 

 May storytimes are every Friday at 4 pm. Visit for fun stories featuring your favorite books. Stay for a cool craft!

Family Play Dates!

 

Play Dates are easy: we play! Many parents under estimate the importance of play in their children’s lives, especially the idea of playing with their child. Play just isn’t entertainment, it’s how your child learns! 

A baby building with blocks and knocking them over isn’t just amusing himself. He’s actually learning cause and effect; that when he pushes a block over, the effect is a jumble of blocks on the floor! A toddler pretending that a toy is a phone is learning that one object can metaphorically stand in for another one. And you, as a parent or caregiver, get to guide them during this journey of play!  

  

At our Play Dates, we also play host to different parenting professionals in our community. They’re here to chat, answer any questions, and explain what resources they have to offer you. In the past, we’ve had visits from Nurse Family Partnership, the Autism Society of Berks County, BCIU, and other helpful community agencies that are at your service. For instance, if you have concerns about your child’s social development, one of our parenting experts can give you advice or tell you what services can help you. Or, if you’re wondering how to introduce books to a child that never seems to want to settle down, the librarian can show you how it’s done!

 

The best part of our Play Dates is that you get to meet other families with children the same ages as your own. It’s a great time to let your children socialize with other kids, especially if you’re preparing them for daycare or pre-school. Plus, it’s a great time for YOU to socialize with other parents who can also give you advice on what they’re experiencing.

Our Play Dates program is part of the National Family Place program. Libraries across the nation offer these types of workshops to introduce literacy, play, and socialization to families in their communities.