Little bookworms help launch summer reading program
By ALEXANDRA CALDWELL
Article published on Wednesday, June 11, 2008  |
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| Photo by ALEXANDRA CÅLDWELL |
| Gabriela, 4, and Angela Sharpfish of Clearwater, write Gabriela’s name on her passport to the Clearwater Main Library’s summer reading program at the kickoff on June 9. |
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CLEARWATER – At first 3-year-old Alexander Fernandez hid behind his mom and tried to pull her away from the giant aardvark. Even when the giant, fuzzy creature played peekaboo, Alexander wasn’t convinced.
Only when Arthur the aardvark walked away did Alexander follow, finally ready for a hug.
Clearwater Main Library kicked off its summer reading program June 9 with a guest appearance from Arthur, the main character from Marc Brown’s Arthur books and the star of the PBS show, Arthur’s World. The theme for this year’s program is “The Whole Wide World,” and a crowd of kids lined up to create their passports for the program and to collect a free book. The kids will bring their passports to each summer library event they attend to acquire stamps.
“I think (these programs) help develop their interest in reading – it sparks their interest in books, especially seeing characters like (Arthur) that come here and really helps bring the books alive,” said Alexander’s mom, Amy, of Clearwater. “He already loves to read. We read every night before bed. He loves it.”
Amy often brings Alexander to the library for story time, and she said he loves everything about the children’s section, from the video selection to the play area.
Jen Obermaier, the youth services manager at the Clearwater Main Library, said the summer reading program is designed to keep kids actively reading and learning throughout the summer.
“Today was a great kickoff to really start the summer,” Obermaier said at the event, “and it gets them raring to go. We just keep saying, keep reading throughout the summer. Even if you can’t read, have someone read to you.”
Each of Clearwater’s four library branches will have events such as magicians, animal programs, and puppet shows throughout the summer. At the Main Library, Obermaier said she’s excited about the kids cooking classes, a drumming circle, musicians and storytellers that will tell stories from around the world.
“Studies have shown that kids do better in school, really in all subject areas, when they are readers,” Obermaier said.
Laurie Williams of Clearwater, brings her boys, Reece, 5, and Koen, 3, to the Main Library programs. They, too, love story time, and Laurie said they will attend all the summer programs at the Main Library.
“Everybody knows that if you read from a young age, you will be brighter,” Laurie said. “And it encourages reading. If you read to a kid every day, they’ll be a better reader.”
The boys were excited about their free books at the summer reading kickoff. Reece selected “The Pied Piper of Hamelin,” and Koen showed off the pictures of his book, “The Serpent Shell,” by David Ross and Margaret Greaves.
Gabriela Sharpfish, 4, of Clearwater, picked out the book, “Winnie the Pooh’s Silly Day” at the event. Her mom, Angela, said Gabriela has gone to library events such as story time each week since she was 2. Monday the books came alive for Gabriela when she met the Arthur character. Arthur’s time was provided by Great Explorations Children’s Museum in Clearwater, Obermaier said.
“I got to see Arthur with his glasses,” Gabriela said.
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Article published on Wednesday, June 11, 2008
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