Chase Connolly colors his reading poster for Wilton Library’s summer reading program last year. Registration for the library’s Dive into Reading program begins the week of June 22.
From a seaside carnival to a miniature submarine, Wilton Library’s summer reading program, Dive into Reading, launches the week of June 22 with registration for kids up to age 12. Craft programs, story times, music and various programs about the sea are all part of the summer fun. During the week of June 22, children can come to the library to register for the summer reading program and color their posters of sea creatures to start their activities. Seaside Carnival with games, food, entertainment, activities, a bounce house and a special visit from SpongeBob SquarePants is set for Monday, June 22, from 2 – 4 p.m.
The festivities continue during the week with another family event, Magic with Terry Parrett, on Wednesday, June 24, from 2 – 3 p.m. Terry returns to the library with all his magical comedy, storytelling and audience participation. Registration is required due to the popularity of Terry’s show.
The Dive into Reading program is filled with activities all summer long. Drop-in Crafts, sponsored by the Coyle Family Young Readers Fund, are Mondays, from June 29 through Aug. 10, 10 – 8; Lullabies for Littles, for children ages 2 – 6, are Mondays, from July 6 through Aug. 10, 6 – 6:30 p.m.; Drop-in Story Times are Tuesdays, July 7 through Aug. 11 at the following times—Ones and Twos with caregivers, 10:15 – 10:45; Threes and Fours with caregivers, 11 – 11:30; Fives through Eights, 2 – 2:45.
Wednesday Wonders events include sea creatures, bubbles and a real submarine. There are no fees and registration is required for the programs:
• July 8 Coastal Ecology, 3 – 4 p.m. Children ages 8 – 11 are invited to a hands-on investigation of a tide-pool community with the Bruce Museum’s Brucemobile. Caregivers must remain in the building. Made possible by the Betsy and Jesse Fink Family Foundation.
• July 15 Coming to America: Immigrant Voices, 2 – 3 p.m. and 3:30 – 4:30 p.m. A costumed role-player from Mystic Seaport's museum presents a lively participatory program for children grades 3-6 about the culture, hardships and challenges of making the journey to America in the 1800s by ship. Made possible by the Steve and Alison Sherman Family Fund. Adults are welcome.
• July 22 Submarine School, 11 a.m. – 12:30 p.m. Inventor Alan Winick presents a program about a real, working submarine for kids in grades K – 6 including the story of how he built his childhood dream. Registration required. The submarine will be in the library parking lot until 5 p.m. so children can tour and explore it. Made possible by the Coyle Family Young Readers Fund.
• July 29 Talent Show, 2 – 4 p.m. Kids in 2nd grade and up are invited to register for Wilton Library’s Talent Show. The library is looking for children who can dance, sing, play a musical instrument, perform a magic trick, perform stand-up comedy, recite poetry, or have another talent not mentioned above. All participants must attend a rehearsal on Monday, July 27, 2 - 4 p.m. Made possible by the Coyle Family Young Readers Fund.
• Aug. 5 Bubble Technology, 2 – 3 p.m.; 3 – 4 p.m.; 4 – 5 p.m. Kids in grades 1-8 join the fun with this messy event presented by the Children’s Museum of West Hartford. The ever popular science of bubbleology lets children discover cohesion, surface tension, and the other amazing properties of water. Register for one session: 2, 3 or 4 p.m. Sponsored by Stop and Shop.
• Wednesday, Aug. 12 Songs of the Sea, 2 – 3 p.m. Geoff Kaufman, in twenty years as a chantey man at Mystic Seaport, has selected songs from early balladry to the modern day that reflect the connection of humans and the sea. Open to children of all ages for toe-tapping, sing-along fun. Made possible by the Fannie Lienhard Fund.
More Dive into Reading programs include Reel Fridays, July 10 through Aug. 14, movies at 10:30 a.m. and 2 p.m.; Chalk the Walk on Saturday, July 25, from 10:30 – noon; and Sea Fairy Workshop on Thursday, Aug. 6, from 1 – 3 p.m. These programs are sponsored by the Coyle Family Young Readers Fund.
The summer abounds with so many other programs that deserve mention such as the WINRs Circle book group on Saturday, July 11 and Aug. 1 including author Cynthia Lord’s visit on July 21 sponsored by HSBC Bank; Have Your Cake and Read It Too! child/adult book group on June 25, July 23 and Aug 20; children’s Summer Chess sessions begin July 15; a return engagement of all the lovely princesses on Aug. 8; an American Girl Tea Party on Aug. 15; and a Bio Sphere program Tuesdays, Aug. 4 through Aug 25. Be Spellbound with Harry Potter takes place on Tuesday, July 14, from 4:30 – 8 p.m. for kids in grades 4 and up made possible by the Coyle Family Young Readers Fund.
To register for any of the events, visit www.wiltonlibrary.org/events or call (203) 762-3950. Wilton Library is located at 137 Old Ridgefield Road in the heart of Wilton Center.
