Summer reading program kicks off Saturday

The Fort Scott Public Library will once again be partnering with the Fort Scott elementary schools' PTOs for the 2012 Summer Reading Program, which gets under way on this week.

The theme for the eight-week program is "Dream Big- READ!," focusing on all things nocturnal -- dreams, stars and planets, fairy tales, spooky stories and more. It is free of charge and open to youngsters from infant to 12 years old.

Every week, children will be read a different story and complete a corresponding craft tying in with that week's book. With a view toward gearing the books to their respective developmental levels, kids will be broken up into two different age groups: infants through kindergarten and first graders through fifth grade. The older children will hear their weekly stories at Memorial Hall.

Four professional storytellers are scheduled to read books of varying genres and topics. On days when a performer is not scheduled, parent volunteers will step in.

Eugene Field Elementary School music teacher Alan Cunningham, Ottawa, will be the first performer at 1 p.m. Thursday.

Children's Librarian Julie Townsend said Cunningham is a crowd favorite.

"We've had him come for several years and the kids really like him," she said. "He does a lot of music."

Heading into its second year, Townsend said the program was a hit last summer.

"It was big success last year," she said. More than 300 children traveled around the literary world, attending at least one of the storytime dates. The theme last year was "One World, Many Stories!"

"Reading carries over into everything," Townsend said. "It's really important that the kids learn to read and read well. And we want to make it fun for them."

Organizers are expecting even bigger crowds this year, preparing for 400 attendees.

One big addition to this year's program is the availability of more than 800 brand-new books, all of which are aligned with the Kansas curriculum, that will be given away as prizes.

PTO President Angie Kemmerer said every child who attends the storytime dates will get at least one new hardback book to take home. They'll also have a chance to pick reading-related prizes, such as bookmarks and other trinkets, out of a "'treasure box," she said.

Two-hundred of the books were donated to Eugene Ware Elementary School Principal Dave Elliot by Gov. Sam Brownback's wife, Mary, at the end of the school year. The donation came as part of the governor's "Read Kansas Read" initiative.

Funding for the summer reading program is made possible through leftover money from a USD 234 Title I reading grant, Kemmerer said.

"The grant money has been wonderful," Kemmerer said. "Kids need to keep their brains active and engaged during the summer. Kids that read more tend to score better on tests and do better academically."

A kick-off party for this summer's program, with the theme of "Art in the Park," is scheduled for 10 a.m.-noon Saturday in the Fort Scott Public Library parking lot. Story time will be at 11 a.m. Festivities will include chalk art, face painting, hot dogs, popcorn and drinks -- all for free.

Parents will have the opportunity to sign their kids up for the program and obtain reading log sheets to track their progress throughout the summer.

In honor of the 108th birthday of children's author Dr. Suess, the first two featured books will be by the author, including "Oh, the Places You'll Go!"

Kemmerer said the whole premise of the program is "just great" because literature gives youngsters a chance to use their imaginations.

"It gives kid a chance to explore different places and to dream," she said. "We just want to keep that joy going and give kids an activity to do in the summer."

For more information about the 2012 Summer Reading Program or volunteering, contact Kemmerer at (620) 224-4816 or the library at (620) 223-2882.

Volunteers are still needed for Saturday's kick-off event, organizers said.