Remember the long, lazy summer days of childhood? How did you spend your time? I spent my summers swimming, having sleepovers with friends, and reading. I loved to read in the summer when it was just for fun and not something I had to do. My best friend Danielle and I would go to the old library on St. Mary’s Road, register for summer reading programs, and stock up on all kinds of books. Then we’d find a cozy corner in my house, make a fort, and settle in with our book pile. The idea of it seems so old fashioned now in our world of technology. But luckily, reading never goes out of style, and neither does fort building. This summer encourage your kids to grab some blankets, pillows, and a stack of books and build a reading fort. Inspire your book worms with these summer reading programs:
‘Reading Takes You Everywhere!’ at the Lafayette Library and Learning Center’s summer reading program, now through August 4. All ages can visit the library’s summer reading page for activities and challenges. All finishers will take home a free book and receive a raffle entry to win great prizes. Find all the information here. And if you prefer to own your books rather than check them out, visit the Friends Corner Book Shop on Golden Gate Way where for around $2 or less per book, you can start your own home library. (And every purchase helps fund the library.)
Summer Reading Program at Bel and Bunna’s Books, down the alleyway from Paxti’s Pizza in Lafayette. For $35, participants receive program materials, a personalized membership card, 10% off all program books and invitations to program events. Registration is open until June 30th. The program ends September 1 with a festive party. Also, don’t miss their Harry Potter Anniversary and Trivia Party, August 3rd at 6:30pm, celebrating the 20th anniversary of the release of the first Harry Potter book in the United States. Costumes and reservations are encouraged at (925) 298-5512.
Stanley Middle School’s Summer Reading Program: If your middle schooler reads a minimum of four books this summer, he/she can kick-off the school year with an invitation to Stanley’s Summer Reading Party featuring ice cream sundaes and prizes. Kids fill out a Summer Reading Challenge handout (found here), cross off squares on the back (one square = one book), and return it to their English teacher in the fall. Need book recommendations? The Middle School/Young Adult summer reading recommendation list for 2018 can also be found here.