Kids who read and are read to over the summer not only do better when they return to school in the fall, they have more fun all summer long, especially if they participate in the Summer Reading Program at Beebe Library. The theme of the Summer Reading Program is “Wild Reads at Beebe Library.” Registration for the summer-long event begins Monday, June 16.

The first event in the Summer Reading Program is “Library Musical!” a talent show for all ages on Wednesday, June 25 at 7 p.m. No act is too small and no talent is too young. The Talent show is largely musical, but other acts are needed too. Kids wishing to perform should register by Monday, June 23. The rehearsal takes place at 10:30 a.m. on Tuesday, June 24. You must attend the rehearsal to be listed in the program.

The Summer Reading Program has something for kids of all ages. No child is too young to be read to. Kids entering kindergarten and younger have their own summer reading club where they earn prizes for the time they spend listening to someone read to them. There are special programs at the library for these kids as well. Every Tuesday at 10:30 a.m. starting July 8 and continuing through August 12, three to five year-olds are invited to drop in to “Little Wild Things” and listen to stories, songs and nursery rhymes and learn finger plays. Younger siblings are welcome to attend as well.

Peter Sheridan will lead four family sing-a-longs on Friday, July 11, Monday, July 21, Thursday, July 31, and Friday, August 8. Performances will be at 10:30 a.m.   Sing-a-longs are funded by the Wakefield Cultural Council. 

Hugh Hanley will present his “Circle of Songs” concert on Friday, July 25, at 10:30 a.m. Kidstock, original musical theatre performed by kids for kids, will be coming at 10:30 a.m. on Friday, July 18, August 1 and August 15. These programs do not require advance registration or tickets.

On Wednesday, July 23, New England Aquarium will visit with some of their tide pool creatures. The program for kids ages 2-5 will be at 9:30 a.m. Advance registration is required for this special opportunity.

There are also great programs for kids entering grades one through four. These kids can register, track their reading and earn prizes. They can earn Beebe Bucks by completing special challenges and collect raffle tickets each time they visit the library. Every Monday afternoon at 3:30 p.m. from June 30 through August 11, these kids can join “Wild Readers” to experience books and stories with a wild theme and participate in related activities.

In addition, there will be programs every Wednesday at 10:30 a.m. starting July 2 with Wingmaster’s World of Owls. Registration is required for the owl program. On July 9 the performer will be magician Greg McAdams, and on July 16 Susan Paino will work with kids to learn and perform a program based on animal moves. These two programs do not require registration.

The New England Aquarium will present two programs on July 23, at 10:30 a.m. and 11:30 a.m. Kids will have an opportunity to touch tide pool creatures and learn how they live. Registration is required for this event. On July 30, David Polansky will present a program of animal songs. On August 6 Sparky’s Puppets presents Animal Antics and on August 13 kids will have an opportunity to meet dogs trained to run the Iditarod in Alaska. Registration is not required for these programs. Kidstock performances will be Friday at 10:30 a.m. on July 18, August 1 and August 15.

The first event for middle school kids will be Slurpy Joe’s Café on Tuesday, June 24 at 6:30 p.m. Librarians Steve Conner and Gray Sawyer will serve smoothies in the program room and chat with middle school students about their choices from the required summer reading lists. This is an excellent opportunity to learn more about the books on the lists.

Kids in grades five and up will find something to do at the library on Tuesdays at 2 p.m. starting July 1, when they can tie-dye their summer tee shirts. On July 8 they can have their caricature drawn by artist Ken Partello. (Registration is required for this event.) Michael Sullivan will meet with chess players, beginners and experts on July 15 and August 12. Teams will compete for prizes by taking Fear Factor challenges on July 22. Karaoke returns on July 29. Kids can try their hand with “wii” sports on August 5. Registration is required for that event.

There will also be events on Wednesdays at 3 p.m. beginning with velvet stamping on July 2. On July 9, Steve Brenner will apply airbursh tattoos. “Guitar Hero” will be featured on July 16. (Registration is required for this event.) On July 23, kids will have an opportunity to make accessories with beads or duct tape. (On August 6 kids will have another opportunity to tie die a shirt, and on August 13 there will be another Fear Factor competition.)

In all programs that require registration, preference is given to children who live in Wakefield. Non-residents will be placed on a waiting and if space remains, the staff will contact them the day before the program. Regretfully, Beebe Library does not provide library services, including the Summer Reading Program, to residents of communities without certified libraries.

For more information or to register for programs, phone 781-246-6334, x3.

Categories: Children's Programs, Library News, Young Adult Programs
Tags: childeren's programs, Children, kids, progams, summer, summer reading program, Youth Room