Summer reading equals summer fun

As published in the Red Rock News ​ 
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​Libraries across the nation encourage voluntary reading as an essential  step to help children become better readers, especially during the “summer slide.” Too often, children lose their school year reading routine, and summer reading programs help keep them on track. That’s why Sedona Public Library will once again take part in the national program. What’s this year’s fun theme? Oceans of Possibilities!

Oceans of Possibilities runs from May 31 through July 22. On May 31 youngsters will begin tracking their reading based on their achievable goals. Registration began this week and continues through the end of the month. Let the reading begin!  

For the seven weeks of the program, we encourage families to read with the youngest of readers, ages 0 to 3, and we suggest sharing reading experiences of at least 10 books. For ages 4 to 11 and ages 12 to 18, the typical goal is to read for 1,000 minutes or more (that’s over 16 hours).  

We enter all participants into a drawing to win great prizes from our local business sponsors. Prizes include a visit to the Science Vortex of Verde Valley, Arizona State Park passes, toys from Sedona Kids Company, donuts from Sedonuts, a family pass to Out of Africa, and many more. A very special thank you to the generous businesses that support kids and reading! 

Remember you can get reading minutes logged when you take our new StoryWalk at Sunset Park featuring Seeds Move, written and illustrated by Robin Page. The journey begins at the toddler playground and provides 15 minutes of walking and reading in the great outdoors. Each page of the book is displayed for you to read silently or out loud and includes a fun activity in English and Spanish. Spin and twirl along the path like a milkweed seed in the wind.  

That’s not all! The summer will be full of events and programs, so get these dates on your calendars! For starters, on June 4, drop in to register for Summer Reading when children can have face painted or their hand decorated with a cool henna art design.  

Then, on Friday, June 10 from 10:30 to11:30, Dr. Hofstetter, Professor of Forest Entomology at Northern Arizona University, will present two activities: bark beetle ecology where we’ll open infested logs and look at live bark beetles; and milkweed and monarch ecology. Dr. Hofstetter will bring live insects including the Madagascar hissing coach roach! 

On Saturday, June 18 from 11:30 to 4:00, we’re partnering with Sedona Parks and Rec for a Summer Reading Pool Party. When you register for Summer Reading, you’ll receive a pool pass to attend the Party! Or if you prefer you can use the pass at an open swim this summer. 

On Friday, June 24 from 11:00 to 12:00, we’ll host the Magical Michael Steele Variety Show.  Michael will perform amazing magic yo-yo tricks, juggling, and a "Name That Tune" contest, so come by for this personable and family-friendly fun!  

Up next, we’ll celebrate Independence Day with Miss Marcia in a special “Hats Off for the 4th of July Story Time” at the library on Saturday, July 2 at 10:30.   

From July 12 –23, Sedona Youth Theatre for teens returns for a 9-day intensive improv/theatrical training and performance thanks to the Friends of the Sedona Library. This year, the Friends have provided full scholarships for all participants. Sign up soon – there are only 24 spots in this FREE theater program. Sedona Youth Theatre will inspire participants to create a unique show, highlight their unique talents, show off their skills, and use their imaginations. To register, please visit our website and click on the events tab, sedonalibrary.libcal.com, then go to the date Monday, July 11, where you’ll find the registration link. 

To wrap up Summer Reading, we’ll host an all-ages Moore Escape Room event on Saturday, July 16. What is an escape room you ask? It’s a game where players work together to investigate clues and solve a puzzle in a limited time. It requires cooperation and imagination, and Escape Rooms are rumored to be really fun! Will you be able to solve the puzzle? Stop by on July 16 and find out! Check back for details.  

​Of course, there are always endless possibilities at the Library, and in addition to our Summer Reading Program, we have plenty of things to do for summer fun. Watch for new programs this year including Stop Motion for Kids; Summer Spanish; Intro to French; Maker Mondays; Intro to Garage Band; Spanish Story Time; Kaleidoscope Red Rocks; and Tinker Time. 

We look forward to helping you explore the Oceans of Possibilities at Sedona Public Library. Of course, we have lots of new ocean-themed books for you to check out, and as always, an attentive parent/caregiver must always stay with children under 10 years of age. Stay in the know by visiting our website and checking our calendar at sedonalibrary.libcal.com and signing up for our monthly kids newsletter.  

Special Announcement: Sedona Public Library is looking for a new Youth Services Library Assistant II. If you’re interested in a fun job at the Library, please visit https://www.sedonalibrary.org/jobs.html. 

Sedona Public Library  
​News Column for May 27, 2022  
Written by Viviane Kraus, Youth Services Librarian 

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