Warren Library's Summer Reading Program: Books and So Much More

Have you seen Buddy the Bookworm hiding in the children's section of the ? This little guy finds a new hiding place each week and gives kids a hint to finding him for a weekly prize drawing.

Buddy is just part of the fun during the summer months at the library, which launched its summer reading program called One World, Many Stories.

Besides locating Buddy, youngsters can enter to win other items by answering weekly trivia questions. There also are several events in July and August that tie into the multi-cultural theme including drop-in crafts, a Peace concert on Aug. 2 and several Youth Stages workshops such as  the South African Abiyoyo tale for 4 and 5-year-olds on July 15.

And to add to the fun, children and teens who join the summer reading program can earn more prizes for how much time they read or have books read to them. They also can complete a Home Passport Activity book for other prize drawings. Donations to the have made it possible to offer a variety of incentives to young book lovers, said Antonette D'Orazio, head of the library's Youth Services.

For older kids and teens, reading over the summer months can prevent "summer slide," where students actually lose academic ground if they don't read. According to Scholastic.com, reading just six books before returning to school can help prevent summer slide.

"Reading over the summer, even being read to, keeps up with the vocabulary skills," said D'Orazio.

She said the library encourages all ages to join, even children under 1 year.

"Being read to is the best thing a caregiver can do to make learning to read easier once they start," said D'Orazio.

Last year, 727 kids up to fifth grade and 262 students in sixth grade and above participated—and their total time amounted to 622,688 minutes.

All kinds of reading count. Older kids can read to younger siblings and the time counts for both of them. They can read magazines and books and listen to audio books. When participants reach 100 and 500 minutes they can select something from those prize boxes. Those who tally 1,000, 3,000 or 5,000 minutes can choose a prize book.

And if your child is reading on the go, they can share photos of their books' travels—a visit to the park or the beach, summer camp or a trip to grandma's—and they will be posted in the Children's section. Photos can be emailed to wtlysp@sclsnj.org or dropped off at the Children's Services Desk.

So just visit the library to sign up and receive a book to track the time until Sept. 6. There's a young sorcerer waiting to share his adventures, or perhaps your child would like to learn about a mischievous monkey. Whatever captures their imaginations—there's a book waiting for them at the library.