Lewes library kicks off summer reading program June 19

Lewes Public Library's Summer Reading Program offers a variety of activities and events for children of all ages. This summer's series, Fizz, Boom, Read! @ The Lewes Library, will begin with a kickoff event at 10:30 a.m., Thursday, June 19.

Children can sign up for the Summer Reading Program beginning Monday, June 16. Participants agree to read for 20 minutes a day throughout the program. Youngsters who are read to by another are also encouraged to participate. A Congratulations Party will be held at the end for those who complete the program; prizes include books and gifts from local sponsors.

Additional summer programs, all at 10:30 a.m. on Thursdays, include these: June 28 - Tom Sieling, "Take a Tromp Through the Swamp & a Break by the Lake!"; July 3 - Jackie McCabe, "Songs & Stories for Children"; July 10 - Rick Waterhouse, "The Wizard’s Toy Shop"; July 17 - Rehoboth Summer Children’s Theatre, "Alice in Wonderland"; July 24 - Sankofa African Dance & Drum.

Summer story times are as follows: Children’s Learning Garden Story Time at 10:30 a.m., Mondays; Preschool story time at 10:30 a.m., Tuesdays; Stories for Infants & Toddlers at 10:30 a.m., Wednesdays; Story hour at the Historic Lewes Farmers Market 9 to 10 a.m., Saturdays; Science Explorers at 1 p.m., Tuesdays for all school-aged children. Picnic in the Park will be held Thursday mornings following the programs and will feature games and activities from around the world. Bring a bag lunch to enjoy in Stango Park.

Art workshops for school-aged children this summer will be taught by Elaine Ippolito. There will be two sessions - one for children entering grades K-2 and another for children entering grades 3-5. These workshops will be held Aug. 18, 20 and 21. Registration is required for the art workshops.

Call the library at least 10 days before an event is scheduled if special accommodations are necessary.

The special programs held during the Summer Reading Program are sponsored by a variety of organizations. The children’s art workshops, Rick Waterhouse, Tom Sieling, Rehoboth Summer Children’s Theatre, Sankofa and Jackie McCabe are made possible, in part, by grants from the National Endowment for the Arts, and the Delaware Division of the Arts, a state agency committed to promoting and supporting the arts in Delaware. Other programs are sponsored by the Friends of the Lewes Public Library.

For more information, call the library at 302-645-4633 or go to www.leweslibrary.org.