Dream Big, Read! this Summer at the Marin County Free Library
Now that school is almost out and summer vacation is just around the corner, it's a good time to start looking for fun activities to do with the kids. One of our favorite summer activities is the summer reading program at the Marin County Library. It's a great way to discover new books and revisit some old favorites. Children are awarded prizes based on the number of books they read—books that are read to them count, too, so even younger children who can't read yet can get involved in the fun.
This year the Marin County Free Library sponsors its “Dream Big, Read!” reading program from June 9 through August 11. Prizes include rainbow gel pens, magnetic bookmarks, Round Table Pizza coupons, and a "Dream Big, Read!" T-shirt. To claim their prizes, your kids can take their reading logs to the children's librarian at your local library branch. Check with your local library for details.
Summer reading launch parties will take place on June 9 at the Civic Center, Marin City, and Corte Madera libraries. See the library event calendar for more information.
Here are a few selections from the American Library Association’s 2012 Children’s Notable Book recommendations. Visit their website for more reading suggestions.
For younger readers
- A Ball for Daisy, Chris Raschka
A wordless tale of an irrepressible little dog whose most prized possession is accidently destroyed. A buoyant tale of loss, recovery, and friendship. (2012 Caldecott Medal Book) - The Cazuela that the Farm Maiden Stirred, Samantha R. Vamos
Nothing is better than a delicious bowl of arroz con leche unless, of course, a host of farm animals have a hand in the preparation! (A 2012 Belpré Illustrator Honor Book) - Goodnight, Goodnight, Construction Site, Sherri Duskey Rinker
Truck-loving toddlers will be willingly tucked into bed along with the vehicles in this superbly constructed goodnight poem. - I Broke My Trunk, Mo Willems
Piggie is very concerned about his best friend, Gerald the Elephant, who has broken his trunk, and Gerald tells him a long, rambling story about how it happened. (A 2012 Geisel Honor Book) - Tales for Very Picky Eaters, Josh Schneider
Five chapters recount James’ refusal to eat yet another disgusting, smelly, repulsive, lumpy, or slimy food. (A 2012 Geisel Medal Book)
For middle readers
- Balloons over Broadway: The True Story of the Puppeteer of Macy's Parade, Melissa Sweet
This story of Tony Sarg, the artistic inventor who conceived the huge balloons that float through New York City each Thanksgiving, joyously celebrates his life’s creative process. (2012 Sibert Medal Book) - The Cheshire Cheese Cat: A Dickens of a Tale, Carmen Agra Deedy and Randall Wright
Alley-cat Skilley finds a perfect home, gets help from a friend to return an injured raven to the Tower of London and saves all the Cheshire Cheese Inn mice from the evil Pinch. - The Lily Pond, Annika Thor
This sequel to A Faraway Island continues the story of thirteen-year-old Stephie Steiner, a Jewish refugee whose parents have sent her from Nazi-occupied Vienna to Sweden. (2012 Batchelder Honor Book) - Night Flight: Amelia Earhart Crosses the Atlantic, Robert Burleigh
Sit with Amelia Earhart in her red Vega as she flies across the Atlantic and startles a farmer in Northern Ireland by landing in his field. - Treasury of Greek Mythology: Classic Stories of Gods, Goddesses, Heroes & Monsters, Donna Jo Napoli
From the chaos that spawned Gaia to the horrors of the Trojan War, this is the most comprehensive and lavishly illustrated compendium of Greek mythology since the D’Aulaires’ offering. Includes a timeline, cast of characters, and a map.
For more book recommendations for children of all ages, visit the American Library Association website.
