As the 2025 Summer Reading Program comes to an end, we in the Young Readers’ Room are reflecting on the events of this year’s program. We are so grateful to the smart and talented kids and teens who have worked hard to give our program life over these last eight weeks. The countless books read and pieces of art created for our reading logs and Bookopoly boards have been more than wonderful. Among participants’ favorite challenges on the Bookopoly boards were the three “Create” themed squares: “draw a picture inspired by a book you read,” “write and illustrate your own mini book,” and “draw a map of the setting of a book you read.” To reference the theme of this year’s program, our world has been beautifully colored, many times over — artwork referencing familiar stories from Dogman to Fancy Nancy to Wings of Fire is currently on display in the Young Readers’ Room. While participants have rigorously tracked their books read and artwork created with the ultimate goal of winning a prize, it has been clear that motivations reach beyond this goal. The enthusiasm and pride each child has in sharing their completed work shines through every time we check off a reading log.
Each week of the Summer Reading Program, we have offered free programs and events for kids and teens, such as live animal shows, theater day camps, art programs, and STEAM workshops. It is with such love and gratitude for our community that I report that many of our Thursday shows brought us close to capacity with upwards of 300 people! These programs have resulted in countless memories that those in attendance won’t be forgetting anytime soon. One such moment was when Wild Man Dan kissed a toad onstage as a part of his live reptile show, resulting in a chorus of enthusiastic shrieks and groans from the audience. During Michael Rayner’s juggling and comedy show, Miss Kristina and I glanced at each other, wide-eyed in awe at the sight of four young audience members spinning plates effortlessly onstage. And who could forget Kids Imagine Nation’s three-horned, winged, flippered, turquoise and pink striped Tyrannosaurus Rex?
Through the transition from July to August, we in the Young Readers’ Room are staying busy preparing to resume our always-anticipated and amply-attended storytimes. Baby Storytime with Miss Kristina will resume with a slight change in schedule, on Thursday, August 7, both 9:30 a.m. and 10:15 a.m. Preschool Storytime with Miss Pamela will resume as usual on Tuesday, August 12 at 10:15 a.m. I am proud to announce that beginning August 14, families with kids aged 3-4 are invited to join me, Miss Emily, for Toddler Storytime every Thursday at 11:00 a.m.! Come visit Smiley Library to share some fun songs and stories with each of us.
We will be contacting our Summer Reading Program prize winners during the first week of August, so stay on the lookout for a call or voicemail from (909) 798-7674!