Great River Regional Library’s summer reading program kicked off this week at all its locations, including the Clearwater and Becker branches.

 

The program, which runs until Aug. 12, is free and open to children and teens up to age 17.

 

“The summer reading program is intended to be a fun way for kids to practice their reading through the summer and prevent the ‘summer slide,’” said Becker Librarian Jeannette Burkhart.

 

“It’s proven that if kids don’t read during the summer they lose some of what they’ve learned throughout the school year,” added Clearwater Librarian Cyrene Bastian.

 

The annual program is popular with area kids and teens. Siblings Macie and Eli Groth said they signed up because they really like reading, as did Morgan Rodenborg. Her sister, Addison, said she signed up because she likes having books read to her.

 

“I love reading,” said Aubrey Pueringer-Meemken, “And if you read a lot when you go back to school you’ll remember how to read.”

 

This year’s summer reading program theme, Reading By Design, is intended to take a multifaceted approach to literacy, celebrating the creativity of not only authors, but also artists, builders, inventors and all the other creators whose goal is to enhance the world.

 

The goal of the summer reading program is to show how much fun learning is all year around.

 

In keeping with this year’s theme, the Clearwater and Becker libraries both have a diverse offering of programs throughout the summer that celebrate building, design and creativity.

 

“The theme lends itself to STEAM or STEM (science, technology, engineering and mathematics) types of programs and events nicely,” said Burkhart.

 

Along with continuing its Read and Play story times Tuesday mornings at 10:30, the Becker Library kicked off their program with a magic program by Professor Marvel, and coding classes by Media Specialist Karen Landsverk.

 

Becker Primary School art teacher Joan Jacobson will be teaching two art classes on June 20 and July 25 at 10:30 a.m., and Penny Leuthard will be teaching a vision board workshop June 22 at 6 p.m.

 

Ventriloquist James Wedgwood will be appearing on June 27 at 10 a.m., and STEAM in action will involve a 4-H robotics team demonstration at the Community Center July 11 at 10:30 a.m., and a class at the library by Rube Goldberg on Aug. 2 at 7 p.m.

 

Along with continuing their Story and Activity times Tuesday mornings at 11, the Clearwater Library is offering Sidewalk Fun, an I Spy activity and Zentangle Quilting each day throughout the program.

 

June 20, Celebrate Summer Reading with the Great Brodini will be at 11 a.m., illustrator and author Gary Harbo will be leading a program June 29 at 10:30 a.m., and Mr. Seahorse with Joan will be the featured event July 11 at 10:30 a.m.

 

Animal Architects will be held July 18 at 11 a.m., Rhythm and Blue Jays on August 1 at 11 a.m., and the popular KidPower with Rachael will be back Aug.  8 at 11 a.m.