Summer reading program keeps kids engaged and entertained

If registrations continue to trend upward as they have these past few years, the Newton Public Library could have more than 700 kids sign up for the Summer Reading program, whose kickoff event will be 4 to 6 p.m. June 1 on the library lawn. Youth services library Phyllis Peter has her fingers crossed.

“Last year we were just under 700, so I would love to get over 700,” Peter said.

Registering at the kickoff event gives kids their first “Brag Tag” — collectible tags that mark reading goals — and also a free ice cream treat from Sea Turtle Ice Cream. Gluten-free and dairy-free options will be available. Peter said some costumed characters will also be on-hand for pictures and high-fives.

“They’ll also get a bag with a bunch of goodies in it, including one free child admission for the Blank Park Zoo,” Peter said. “Of course they also get a schedule of all our Summer Reading events.”

These events — like SOAR Raptor Rescue featuring a Bald Eagle ambassador, the Iowa State Insect Zoo and the Absolute Science Bubbles — give kids something new to look forward to every week at the Newton Public Library. Here are all of the events kids can attend this year:

• Iowa State Insect Zoo, 9 to 11 a.m. June 6

• Will Stuck, 6 p.m. June 7

• Comedy Magician Mikayla Oz, 6 p.m. June 12

• Cold-Blooded Red Head Reptile Program, 10 a.m. June 15

• Family Magic Show with Jonathan May, 6 p.m. June 19

• SOAR Raptor Rescue, 10 a.m. June 20

• Absolute Science Bubbles, 9 to 11 a.m. June 26

• Sparkle Hula Hoops with Mary Boyvey, 9 a.m. June 28

• Mixed Nuts Kids Comedy Show, 1:30 p.m. June 30

• Dinosaur Encounter, 10 a.m. July 6

• StoryWalk with Jasper County Conservation at Agnes Patterson Park, 10 a.m. July 11

• Buck Jones, Cartoonist, 1 to 3 p.m. July 14

• Trains at the Library, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. July 21 and 9 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. July 22

• Twisted-Bokay Balloon Sculpture Storytelling, 10 a.m. July 24

• Maytag Pool Party, 7 to 9 p.m. July 28

Kids ages 3 to 12 can earn one brag tag for every five picture books or easy readers, or one brag tag for every two chapter books or non-fiction books logged. Audiobooks and ebooks are also accepted. Children who finish the program earn a ticket to the library’s pool party at Maytag Pool at 7 p.m. July 28.

They will also earn two tickets (one for a child and one for an adult) to the Homerun Reader game with the Iowa Cubs at 1 p.m. Aug. 6. Kids will also earn a certificate for one free kid’s meal at the Newton Culver’s Restaurant. In total, it will take 25 picture books/easy readers or 10 chapter books to finish.

Kids that want to keep reading and earning Brag Tags may do so.

Peter has always stressed the importance of children reading in the summertime. Studies show childred who don’t read during the summer can lose up to two months of learning by the time they return to the school; whereas kids who do read in the summer can score higher on reading and math when they return to school.