Full Text:

SUMMER ADVENTURES IN READING

(with photo)

BY ANDREA ZIMMERMANN

Kids will find "Amazing Discoveries Are In Books," when they sign up for fun

and earn prizes by participating in the Booth Library's summer reading

program.

The library invites children ages 3 through middle school to join

age-appropriate programs, all of which will kick off Thursday, June 26, at 10

am when magician Steve Wronker performs "Funny Business" outside on the lawn

near Shelton House, Fairfield Hills.

"It keeps children reading and interested in books all summer. Along the way,

they have lots of fun," said Marie Walker who, along with Juanita Fisher, is a

co-director of the program. "A little incentive goes a long way to help."

Everyone wins. For instance, in elementary school children each receive a

prize when they have read 5, 15 and 20 books. And kids can use any books, not

just those from the Booth Library.

The Read To Me Club is for preschoolers. Parents keep track of the books they

read to their young children and the preschoolers bring their book lists to

the library to receive prizes.

Every time an elementary school child reads five books, he is able to put his

name on a paper magnifying glass and hang it on the Wall of Fame. Everyone

this age who reads 15 or more books will be photographed for the wall.

Middle School Madness has some pretty cool incentives for readers in grades 6

through 9 including raffle prizes of pizzas, a basketball and CD gift

certificates. The more a middle schooler reads, the better his or her chances

of winning a prize.

Also, kids of this age will meet every Thursday in July from 12:30 to 1:30 for

Books-N-Brown Bags, a drop-in program where youth bring lunch and a book to

share. The group will meet outside, weather permitting.

Sign-up for summer reading begins on June 26. There is a $2 material fee for

each child who participates, with a maximum of $5 charged per family.

"It's bigger, better than ever with great prizes and sur prises. Don't miss

it," said Mrs Fisher.

That's enough to interest kids like the three Sheehan children. Erin, 9, plans

to read 100 books this summer; her 13-year old brother, Brenton, hopes to read

13 (long ones); and young Kelly, 7, said she's shooting for 8,000.

For more information on the summer reading program call the Children's

Department at the library, 426-4533.