Want your kids to read more? Want them to become inspired and engaged with books and their imagination? Why not check out Vancouver Island Regional Library’s Summer Reading Club?
This year the theme is “Strange But True,” and this year’s artist, Mike Deas, from Salt Spring Island has helped to get kids’ imaginations on the path to exploration with his poster designs and wild and wacky creatures.
The Summer Reading Club official website states that “Whether your taste runs to crazy inventions, bizarre biographies, real-life world records, or fantastic fictions, you’ll discover plenty at your local library to make your imagination soar.”
The Summer Reading Club officially started on July 3, but kids are welcome to register throughout July. It’s easy to sign up. All you need to do is head down to your local VIRL branch, pick up a reading card and information package, and get reading.
Kids who are old enough to read on their own — Summer Reading Club kids — as well as those who need a parent, sibling, or other family member to read to them — the Read to Me kids — can participate.
There are medals for all kids who complete a reading record. To complete a record, children must read seven books, seven chapters, or have used it as a log to record reading times. For the Read to Me club, fill in one of those listed above and the name of the person reading to the child. Bring in the filled out card and enter the book prize draw.
There are chances to win other prizes too. Here in Lake Cowichan, Diana Hutton, one of the librarians, has set up fun activities for kids to participate in and get them interested in reading.
Go into the branch and guess the number of jelly beans in sippy-cups on the counter, and enter for a chance to win a cool “Strange But True” T-shirt.
Or, participate in the weekly hunt for “What did the Sasquatch say?” and enter for a chance to win butterfly nets or pinwheels.
Children can also choose to create a poster of their favourite weird or wacky, strange but true, discovery. Poster sheets come with the Summer Reading Club package and are available at your local library.
Or, the Cowichan Lake branch is also endeavoring to create the longest dragon, and they need help from local kids. Get your section of the dragon, colour or decorate it any way you wish, and have it added it to the dragon started by Alicia Fall, this year’s Lady of the Lake, in the kids section of the library.
But wait! There’s more! The Cowichan Lake branch has events happening all summer long, and they are free to attend.
On Thursday, July 12, at 1 p.m., head down to the branch to participate in activities focussing on “Strange Science.”
On Saturday, July 28, at 11 a.m., check out “Ooblecks and other Oddities.”
On Thursday, August 9, at 1 p.m., there will be “Are you Magic?”
And on Saturday, September 8, the library will be hosting the SRC Wrap-up Party at 11 a.m.
For more information, head down to the Cowichan Lake branch of Vancouver Island Regional Library, or go to virl.bc.ca or kidssrc.ca.
