Summer dreaming meets today’s challenges for parents…at the library

Remember those carefree days of summer, when you were a kid, and had nothing better to do than count clouds, go fishin’ in the creek, or pluck dandelions? Neither do I. But somehow that’s the sort of summer many of us imagine for our kids. Then we wake up and realize that we’ll need to find something for them to do all summer, in addition to all our regular to-do list items.

That’s the time to turn to your neighborhood public library for a surprising array of ideas, activities and inspiration to tempt even the most bored child to perk up and find something interesting. And best of all, library summer programs are FREE!

This summer, the King County Library System is offering three different summer reading programs tailored to different age groups.

• For the youngest, from birth to age four, there’s a summer reading activity sheet with tips for parents and caregivers to help little ones develop the early literacy skills they’ll need to be ready for reading by the time they go to school. Activities include reading with your child for at least 20 minutes each day. For wiggly ones, you can break that down into shorter segments, as long as their interest lasts.

• Kids from Kindergarten through sixth grade are invited to Make a Splash at the Library with activities and events designed to inspire imagination and curiosity, and bring home the point that reading can be downright fun.

• If your summer entertainment challenge also includes teens, the library has just the thing: the teen-specific Make Waves this Summer @ the Library. Teen events, book promotions and writing reviews to enter for prizes will encourage even reluctant readers to find something to read.

Ask a librarian to recommend books magazines, and activities that will interest your child, or try out the library’s website and online catalog to track down library materials about the topics your teens enjoy.

The full KCLS summer reading programs launch June 14 on kcls.org, with a comprehensive schedule of events and activities for all ages.

In addition to the summer special programs, KCLS libraries offer music, new and classic movies on DVD, how-to books, fiction, travel and outdoor guides—something for every interest. So plan to take the whole family to the library regularly this summer, and while you’re there, be sure to pick up something you’ll enjoy.

Make a Splash this summer at the library: READ!