Kids Summer Reading

Summer Reading Program

Why Summer Reading?

Studies have shown that Summer Reading for Kids & Teens:

Advances literacy and academic performance by engaging children and teens in reading and reading-related activities during the summer months.
Fosters a love of reading through library programs and services.
Increases successful reading experiences through librarian-supported, self-selected, voluntary reading.
Involves parents and all family members in the library summer reading experience.
Improves children’s access to library materials and activities, which will encourage them to become lifelong readers and library users.
It’s fun and you can win prizes!

Summer Reading at Fort Bragg Library 2023

Fort Bragg Library is participating in the FIND YOUR VOICE! iRead Summer Reading program this year, from June 10th through August 5th. During this time, we’ll have special events, story times and themed crafts. Participants can record their reading and activities on provided logs then turn them in for prizes.

How can we participate in Summer Reading?

You can participate by signing-up at the library or signing-up using our Beanstack Reading app. Sign-ups begin Saturday, June 10 and continue throughout the summer. If you’re one of the first to sign-up in person on Kick-Off day, you’ll receive a special prize.

Going to be out of town and can’t make it to the library to sign yourself or your kids up for summer reading?

Not to worry! You can send us an email at fortbragglibrary@gmail.com with the following information and we’ll add you to the register:

First and last name, type of reading log (kids or teens), and, if you’re under 18, include age, last grade completed (if any), and school (if any).

(**Sorry, Beanstack and email sign-ups are not eligible for first-to-sign-up prizes. You must come in person on Kick-Off day to be eligible)

Then, you can print the age appropriate reading log by clicking on the button below, keep track of your reading time and activities, then, when you’re back in town, come, collect your prizes!

Kids Printable 2023 Summer Reading Log

Teens Printable 2023 Summer Reading Logs

What do you get for participating in Summer Reading?

For Kids, there will be incentive prizes along the way. Participants may collect the prizes all at once or level by level, whichever they prefer.

Here’s the breakdown:

The kids will receive prizes after reading (or activity equivalent) for the following amounts of time:
- For 3 hours, Cowlick’s certificate
- For 5 hours, coloring/activity book + virtual ticket for prize drawing
- For 7 hours, CV Starr pass (except if they’re under 6)
- For 10 hours, book of their choice + virtual ticket for prize drawing

Continued reading, for kids who’ve completed their log, will earn spins on our spinner for an end of summer prize drawing.

Special prize drawings will be held on August 8th.

Besides reading, what else goes on during Summer Reading?

Not only do we like to encourage everyone to read during the summer but summers are full of activities. And many of those can be found at the library!

Check out our Summer Reading Activity schedule:

Summer Reading 2023 Brochure
Folleto de Lectura de Verano 2023

JUNE EVENTS

Saturday, June 10—Summer Reading Kick-off. Be one of the first people to sign up for the Summer Reading game and get special prizes.
Saturday, June 10—Xtreme Science Magic, 1 p.m. Experience eye-popping, energetic, fast-moving experiments!
Saturday, June 17, 2 p.m.—Magic Tree House Adventure. Go on six missions throughout history, with puzzles to solve, crafts to make, and snacks to eat.
Friday, June 23, 2 p.m.—Jack & The Beanstalk. The marvelous Fratello Marionettes are back with a brand-new show based on a classic fairytale!
Saturday, June 24, 2 p.m.—Sinister Science. Kids 5 to 10, pick up a Take & Make Krazy Kazoo experiment bag.

JULY EVENTS

Saturday, July 1, 2-4 p.m.—Zootopia. Officer Judy Hopps finds her voice, with the help of a con-artist fox. This movie is rated PG. Refreshments served.
Saturday, July 15, 7-11 p.m.—Teen Lock-In. If you’re 12 to 18, you can hang out at the library after-hours, playing games, making crafts, watching a movie, and eating pizza and other refreshments. Parent permission required.
Saturday, July 22, 2 p.m.—Sinister Science. You won’t believe your eyes and ears with this surprising science lesson from Professor Shirley Seau and Dr. Shirley Knott.
Saturday, July 29, 2-4 p.m.—Harry Potter Monopoly Party. Get sorted, make a wand, eat magical treats, and play a wizarding version of Life-Size Monopoly. (Kids 7 and younger will need to team up with older players for the game.)

AUGUST EVENTS

Friday, August 4, 2-3 p.m.—Art & Talent Show. Children and teens will perform noncompetitively—music, dance, comedy, magic, etc.—in the Community Room. No need to audition but please sign up in advance. Summer Art, Jokebook, and Super Short Stories will be on display (see below).
Saturday, August 5, 10:30 a.m.—Summer Reading Finale with Wild Things. Meet animal ambassadors from five continents and hear their extraordinary personal stories.

These are open to ages 2 to 17:

Summer Art: Create visual art that’s about “finding your voice.” Pick up an entry form at the Check-Out Desk, then turn it in with your artwork.
Fort Bragg Library Jokebook: Tell the library staff a joke, and we’ll put it in a special jokebook.
Super Short Stories: Write a story that is either as many words as you are years old or as long as a Twitter tweet (280 characters or less).
More than one entry is fine, but all submissions must be in by Thursday, August 3rd.

REGULAR EVENTS

Storytime at 10:30 a.m. Fridays and Saturdays (except June 10th and August 5th).
Kids Craft at 11 to 12 , June 17th, July 1st, and July 15th.

Need help deciding what to read?

Reading lists by age group as compiled by Librarians:

1000 Books Before Kindergarten Favorites

The Summer Reading program is generously supported by the Friends of the Fort Bragg Library.

SUMMER READING 2022

Besides reading, what else goes on during Summer Reading?

Not only do we like to encourage everyone to read during the summer but summers are full of activities. And many of those can be found at the library! Check out our Summer Reading Activity schedule:

June:

Saturday, June 18, Summer Reading kicks off with special guest, Karen Quest who performs her rip-roaring Cowgirl Tricks @ 3pm. Cowgirl Tricks is a tongue-in-cheek vaudeville-style comedic bonanza of trick roping, whip cracking, music and magic, with audience participation and lots of kooky cowgirl shenanigans. Fun for the whole family!

Friday, June 24, 11 a.m. Nature Joe. Joe’s Critter Cart brings live animals, big and small, for you to meet and learn about at the library!

Saturday, June 25, 2 p.m Sinister Science: Solar Oven. Kids can learn how to make a sun-powered oven to cook s’mores and more!

July:

Saturday, July 9, 2 – 4 p.m. Camping-Land. Play a life-sized board game and win treats. Children under eight must be accompanied by an adult or an older child.

Saturday, July 16, 2 p.m Sinister Science: Fizzy Sidewalk Paint. See, hear, and feel this fantastic chemical reaction while you create far-out worlds.

Saturday, July 23, 11 a.m Dance Around the World with Nikola Clay. Families can experience a variety of cultures through the universal language of music, learning several easy and fun folk dances.

Saturday, July 30, 2 p.m. Stories & Songs with Ingrid Noyes. This family show, especially recommended for preschoolers, combines music and books and is very interactive, with everyone invited to sing, dance, read, and play along.

August:

Saturday, August 6, 10 a.m. Nature Walk and Storytime. Meet the “hike leaders” at the library and head over to Otis R. Johnson Park for a storytime about camping. Then families can either explore the park or follow the trail back to the library for a camping Kids Craft.

Saturday, August 13, 2 – 3 p.m. Reading Camp Art & Talent Show. To celebrate the end of Summer Reading, children up to age 12 will perform noncompetitively—music, dance, comedy, magic, etc.—in the Community Room. No need to audition but please sign up in advance. And see the Summer Art Show display!

Other Special Events:

Summer Art Show

June 18th to August 12th. Kids ages 3 to 16 are invited to create art that’s about camping or “reading beyond the beaten path.” Use watercolor, acrylic, oil, pencil, ink, markers, crayons, pastels, etc. Pick up an entry form at the Check-Out Desk and turn in it with your artwork.

Escape Cabin (an online activity)

Starting June 21st, participants ages 9 and up may do the online “Escape Cabin” activity linked at fortbragglibrary.org. Solve the set of puzzles and if you “escape” by August 13th, you can claim your prize at the library.

REGULAR EVENTS

Storytime at 10:30 a.m. on Saturdays.

Kids Craft at 11 to 12 on the first and third Saturday of the month, except for June 18 when we have the Kick-Off and July 2nd due to the Friends of the Library Book Sale.

Details for Summer Reading are still in the works so check back often to see what’s planned. You can also visit our Calendar of Events to see what’s happening as they’re added.

Calendar of Events Summer Reading Brochure folleto de lectura de verano

Need help deciding what to read?

Reading lists by age group as compiled by Librarians:

1000 Books Before Kindergarten Favorites

The Summer Reading program is generously supported by the following businesses & organizations:

COVENTRY & KALUZA wowed the (socially distanced) crowd with their spectacular acts and humor, sending the 2021 Summer Reading Program, Reading Colors Your World, into the record books. Thanks to all who participated! See you next summer!