Issue link: http://frankenmuthcvb.uberflip.com/i/1526853
8 We have had an exciting summer at Wickson! Over 900 individuals, from babies to age 99, signed up for our summer reading program. This year, we introduced a new program for children from birth to 3 years old. Families of young children completed activities like singing songs to their children and reading outside. Once all of the activities were completed, families brought the log back to the library for a small prize and a book. Early literacy is much more than just reading to a child; it involves interactions between the child and caregiver that foster a lifelong love of reading. Children ages 4 through 4th grade set daily reading goals and brought their logs back to the library to earn books and various gift cards donated by local businesses. Kids who completed all 40 days of summer reading had a fun adventure sailing down the Cass River on the Bavarian Belle with Mrs. Emmons. Readers from 5th through 12th grade embarked on a reading adventure with a bingo game. Prizes were awarded for one or two bingos, and completing the full bingo card earned special rewards. Adults also participated, logging 5, 10, and 20 books over the summer to earn prizes. Summer reading helps prevent the "summer slide," where students can lose some of their achievement gains made during the school year. It encourages a love of reading by engaging children and adults alike in enjoyable and rewarding reading experiences. Additionally, it builds a community of readers by bringing people together through shared activities and goals, fostering a culture of reading within the community. This summer, kids really enjoyed our new Immersive Reality books. We couldn't keep them on the shelves! In addition, graphic novels were very popular this year. The Women by Kristin Hannah was a top read for adults. Between our digital and physical copies,we own eight books and still have a waiting list for this popular title. But our most check out item this summer.... our mobile hotspots! In addition to the reading portion of Summer Reading, we aimed to take participants on adventures at the library. We offered weekly baby/toddler time, story time at the Riverplace, Tuesday Teen Adventures, Read with Frank Wednesday, and Things that Go Thursday. On Thursdays, we explored different modes of adventure: Airplanes, Drones, and Hot Air Balloons: We learned about these at the Frankenmuth Airport. Biking and Writing: We biked and wrote with Mrs. Emmons in Heritage Park. Sailing: We learned to sail from the Saginaw Bay Sailing Association. Summer Reading Highlights Summer Reading Highlights Adventure Begins at Your Librar y! Summer Reading Highlights Adventure Begins at Your Librar y! By Michelle Duclos, Librar y Director