Be a Super Reader This Summer

By Becky Corning

Amazing feats of strength and courage. Juggling, magic, comedy. Fossils you can eat. Great prizes. Denver Public Library’s Summer of Reading promises all this and more.

This year’s Summer of Reading theme is “Be a Super Reader!” Registration begins June 1 and the program runs through Aug. 8. Participants can expect fun performances at all the branches, as well as great prizes for keeping track of reading minutes.

There are three age groups, with different levels of activities: birth to preschool years, kindergarten through fifth grade, and sixth through twelfth graders.

Babies earn prizes by completing activities from five categories: “Read,” “Sing,” “Talk,” “Write,” and “Play.” So, for example, an activity in the “Talk” category is “Tell your child stories without a book.” From the “Play” category, a participant might choose to look for shapes and pictures in the clouds. Babies’ prizes include a hero rubber duck and books.

In the K-5 level, children earn prizes by reading six books or three hours. Prizes include a backpack, a ticket to Elitch Gardens, books and journals. Those who complete the program can enter a drawing to win a family pack of Denver Zoo tickets.

Teens (6th through 12th grade) earn prizes by reading for four hours. They don’t have to just read books: blogs, magazines, comics, any kind of reading can count toward the total. Teen prizes include a free Chipotle burrito card or puzzle cube, Elitch Gardens tickets, books and journals. New for 2015, we will also have a teen review website.

The last day to register is July 25. Aug. 8 will be the last day to pick up prizes.

Last year 42,789 babies, kids and teens signed up citywide for the Summer of Reading Program.

DPL’s goals for this summer’s reading include creating choices and life opportunities; encouraging reading throughout the summer; making the library a fun, desirable destination for all children and teens and their families; modeling reading behaviors and pre-literacy activities to the parents and caregivers of preschool-age children; and starting and nurturing a relationship between library staff and Summer of Reading participants. We hope this relationship results in participants developing a lifelong trust in the library’s ability to deliver the very best in customer and information services.

To see a complete list of programs, kids can come in to any branch, or go to www.summerofreading.org.

Pauline Robinson Branch Library Events

Preschool Storytime | Tuesday, June 3, 10:30 a.m.

Pauline Robinson is starting a new preschool storytime on Wednesday mornings. Come for stories, rhymes, songs and fun, beginning June 3. Siblings welcome. No registration required.

The Super Ann Show | Monday, June 8, 2 p.m.

Ann Lincoln will perform amazing feats of strength and courage in this one-of-a-kind magic, juggling, and comedy show. Ann will escape from a straitjacket, juggle bowling balls, and even bring along some of her “Wonder Pets” to perform. All ages. No registration is required.

Preschool Storytime | Wednesday, June 10, 10:30 a.m.

Join us for stories, songs, rhymes and fun. Siblings welcome. No registration required.

Vanishing Artwork Board | Wednesday, June 10, 2 p.m.

Learn to live in the moment with these vanishing artwork boards (Buddha Bards). Create your own board for endless water paintings. For grades 1-10. Limited to 25 participants. No registration required.

South Africa: Nelson Mandela and the Journey from Apartheid | Saturday, June 13, 1 p.m.

As the world continues to honor the passing of Nelson Mandela, join Active Minds as we explore the history of South Africa, Mandela’s legacy, its struggle with apartheid and the country’s journey to rejoin the international community since its end in 1994. We will discuss the pivotal role played by Mandela, the impact of immigration/colonialism and the Truth and Reconciliation Commission, ending with a look at the current challenges and opportunities for South Africa.

Family Lawn Games | Tuesday, June 16, 2 p.m.

Family lawn games for all ages. Obstacle courses, skill tests, races and overall silly fun that even a teenager can love.

Preschool Storytime | Wednesday, June 17, 10:30 a.m.

Join us for stories, songs, rhymes and fun Siblings welcome. No registration required.

Tie-Dye T-Shirts | Thursday, June 18, 2 p.m.

Learn how to tie dye. Each participant will take home their own unique tie dye project. For grades 6-12. Limited to 25 participants. No registration is required.

Butterfly Pavilion presents Bug Safari | Monday, June 22, 2 p.m.

Explore animals from the desert to the rainforest and everywhere in between. Learn hands on about the diversity and classifications of these exotic animals. All ages. Limited to 30 participants. No registration is required.

Preschool Storytime | Wednesday, June 24, 10:30 a.m.

Join us for stories, songs, rhymes and fun. Siblings welcome. No registration required.

“Fossils” You Can Eat | Wednesday, June 24, 2 p.m.

Learn about rocks and fossils, including petrified wood. Extract “fossils” from chocolate chip cookies and share your data, like a hero, with other geologists. For grades K-12. Limited to 30 participants. No registration is required.

The Pauline Robinson Book Club | Saturday, June 27, 12 p.m.

This month’s selection: The Sacrifice by Joyce Carol Oates.

Comic Book Decoupage | Tuesday, June 30, 2 p.m.

Comic books are perfect for decoupage. Learn to decoupage with this simple project and customize a small wooden box to keep all your superhero secrets in. For grades 6-12. Limited to 20 participants. No registration is required.

Park Hill Branch Library Events

Tuesday Tech Hour | Tuesdays at 12 p.m.

Individualized technology assistance available from one of our in-house helpers on a public computer or a patron’s own device. We specialize in assisting you with the basics like email, social networking, word processing and eMedia.

Summer of Reading Family Programs | Wednesdays at 3 p.m.

Free family programs on Wednesdays at 3 p.m. Magic shows, live birds, musical acts and more are offered every Wednesday, starting June 10 in the community room. Fun for all ages.

All Ages Storytime | Thursdays at 10:30 a.m.

All ages are welcome for this storytime. We may do a craft, play musical instruments, or have some fun with the parachute.

Book Babies: Early Walkers | Thursdays at 11:15 a.m.

Enjoy stories, action songs, and rhymes developed to meet the needs of babies on the move and their caregivers. Playtime and socialization immediately follow the program.

Tales for Twos | Fridays at 10:30 a.m.

Join us for a storytime just for two-year-olds and their caregivers. We will share books, sing songs, and provide movement activities.

Book Babies: Pre-Walkers | Fridays at 11:15 a.m.

Stories, rhymes, and lap songs developed to meet the needs of infants and their caregivers. Playtime and socialization immediately follow the program.

Summer of Reading Crafts | Fridays at 3 p.m.

This summer, join us for crafts and activities including: a bowling extravaganza, Mine’craft’s’, and three-week series of superhero crafting including making masks, shields, and capes.

Teen Gaming | Tuesday, June 2, 4:30 p.m.

Teens grades 6-12. Board games, video games, button making, Magic: the Gathering, SNACKS!

Open Sewing Lab | Saturday, June 6, 10 a.m.

Distraction-free sewing at our open sewing lab where you can bring any project to work on. We will have several machines for you to use, so grab your supplies and head on over.

Baby Wearing 101 | Saturday, June 13, 2:30 p.m.

Learn many different ways to carry your baby safely and comfortably, and try all sorts of carriers with Babywearing International, Denver/Front Range.

Teen BUILD Club | Monday, June 15, 4:30 p.m.

BUILD stands for Believe, Understand, Imagine, Learn, and Discover! This is a club for teens in grades 6-12 that meets to create stuff, eat snacks, play games, and have some laughs. On tap this month: Decoupage journals.

Genre Chat 2nd/3rd Grade Book Club | Tuesday, June 16, 3:30 p.m.

Read one or both of these books: King Midas: The Golden Touch by Demi; The Chocolate Touch by Patrick Skene Catling. Ask at the Reference Desk for a copy of these books. Snack: Chocolate fondue

Teen Advisory Board (TAB) | Tuesday, June 16, 6 p.m.

Teens ages 13 and up are invited to join the Park Hill TAB. Help plan library events and projects at the Park Hill Library, talk about your favorite books, and make your opinion count.

Mark Stevens: Trapline: An Alison Coil Mystery | Wednesday, June 17, 6:30 p.m.

Trapline, the third novel in the Allison Coil mystery series, has been called “a chilling tale” by The Denver Post. Join Denver writer Mark Stevens for a presentation and discussion about Trapline and the other two books in his Colorado-based series.

Blooming Readers 4th/5th Grade Book Club | Thursday, June 18, 3:30 p.m.

Wonder by R.J. Palacio; Ask at the Reference Desk for a copy of this book.

Activity: Decorate a picture frame

No Strings Attached Book Discussion Group | Saturday, June 20, 11 a.m.

Do you like to talk about books, but are too busy to read for a deadline? Do you want to hear about books that other readers have enjoyed? Read whatever you want and attend whenever you can, no strings attached.

Teen Craft | Tuesday, June 23, 4:30 p.m.

Teens in grades 6-12. Join us to make Moroccan lanterns.

Man of 1000 Songs: Family Sing Along | Wednesday, June 24, 3 p.m.

Share your favorite songs with your little ones. Rob Wivchar will entertain the whole family with a guitar and harmonica while performing storytelling songs with surprising backgrounds.

Active Minds: The Struggle of Syria | Wednesday, June 24, 6:30 p.m.

Join Active Minds as we seek to understand Syria’s history and recent atrocities, and how those create current and future challenges for this pivotal player in the Middle East.

Jim Henson Double-Feature: Labyrinth and The Dark Crystal | Saturday, June 27, 10 a.m. and 12 noon.

Some movies are even more enjoyable to watch with a crowd. Bring your comfiest pillow and enjoy these whimsical ‘80s fantasy films with fellow fans. Come for one film, or for both. Open to all ages.

Park Hill Garden Club | Saturday, June 27, 3 p.m.

Meet with neighborhood gardeners to swap stuff, ideas, and tips, and learn about great library resources for gardeners of all skill levels.

Mono Print Workshop | Monday, June 29, 4:30 p.m.

Teens in grades 6-12. Learn the basics of mono printing — create your own mono print and ink the print onto a blank card.