The owner of My Place restaurant on Queen Street, Louise Tambascio, has been named the 2019 Summer Reading Champion for C.H. Booth’s Summer Reading Program.

Ms Tambascio will help kick off the library’s summer reading program on Monday, June 17, during a special performance by the renowned Chinese acrobat Li Liu at Edmond Town Hall.

For more than 20 years, Ms Tambascio has served up pizza slices for students as they read their way through the summer months. The process, according to the restaurateur, is simple: “The kids read a book, they get a coupon for a slice, and then they come in to redeem it.”

Proud youngsters march in to redeem coupons throughout the summer and especially on Friday nights, according to Ms Tambascio.

“It’s a special time for them,” she beams.

The Summer Reading Champion honor is in recognition of Ms Tambascio’s many years of serving to help students read and learn.

“I love the kids; they’re all so cute,” she said, adding, “We try to take care of everybody, you know. Supporting the kids in the community is so important to me. We do it out of love.”

The 2019 theme is “A Universe of Stories!” C.H. Booth Library is participating in a nationwide effort that offers a comprehensive array of resources for Newtown’s youngest readers to use all summer long, including fun and educational programs, booklists, posters, and activities.

For decades, the library has offered a wide variety of programs and incentives to keep children reading during the summer months, from online reading programs for ages 4-11 to in-person, one-on-one visits with volunteers at the library to discuss books. Teens and adults are able participate in programs designed exclusively for them.

“Newtown has its share of local heroes, but I think everyone can agree that there’s something very special about Louise’s willingness to give to children from her heart and her wallet,” said Douglas Lord, director of C.H. Booth Library. “This is the kindness that Newtown is famous for.

“Louise has shown many years of support for Newtown’s children,” he added. “It is important to read over the summer months; multiple studies confirm that children who do not read during the school break can experience the ‘summer slide’ when they start school in the fall. All students need to read over the summer.

“Last year’s Summer Reading Champion, Senator Tony Hwang of the 28th District, sent that message loud and clear, and here Louise is picking it up and running with it.”

Friendly, with an easy smile, Ms Tambascio radiates kindness and warmth. Having owned My Place for 38 years, she and her family are fixtures in the community.

Of the honor of serving as the 2019 Summer Reading Champion, Ms Tambascio said, “It’s wonderful. It’s great to be involved with this!”

Thanks to the Friends of C.H. Booth Library, there is no charge to attend the June 17 acrobatic performance by Li Liu at Edmond Town Hall. The program begins at 11 am.

Call 203-426-4533 or visit chboothlibrary.org for additional information.