Sail into summer reading, superhero style

Just about the time that summer’s novelty has worn off, when having nothing to do goes from thrilling to boring, never fear – the Vestavia Hills Library in the Forest superheroes are here.

With its Summer Reading Kickoff Party Sunday, May 31 from 2 to 4 p.m., residents of all ages and reading levels are encouraged to turn up in celebration of this year’s theme – “Every Hero Has a Story.”

In true Library in the Forest fashion, Children’s Director April Moon is taking a departure from the predictable, and mixing up this year’s program with not only the superheroes known to all, but also funny, made up superheroes as well.

The Library will accept registrations for the Summer Reading Program as early as May 25, although programs and prizes will not begin until Monday, June 1, following the kickoff party. The first 500 to register at the kickoff party on May 31 will receive special goodie bags with merchant coupons.

Weekly prizes will be earned by playing games focused on library visits and program participation. Summer reading enrollees will also collect reward stickers for checking out materials during their weekly visits to the Library. Readers who turn in their stickers during the last week of the program will receive a special prize.

For those who wish to log in their summer reading activity online, the Library will also accommodate this through an entirely separate program, which will go live on Monday, May 25. Moon encourages interested summer readers to participate in both the in-library and online versions; there is no need to choose one or the other. More participation = more prizes!

“Any reading is good reading in the summer,” Moon said. “If kids want to revisit books they enjoyed when they were younger, that is encouraged! The point is to keep them reading. Vestavia schools do not have an official Summer Reading list, but some teachers will send home suggested titles. We are always happy to give them recommendations.”

For parents enrolling their young ones in Summer Reading for the first time, Moon said a visit to the Beginning Reader section is sure to please. 

“These books range from just beginning to recognize words to ready to move up to chapter books. Generally speaking, these are our most eager readers and parents will take stacks of these books because they read through them very quickly. I always make sure I have plenty of Super Hero books, Lego books, Disney books, Fly Guy books and Barbie books in this area.”

During this last month of the school year, Moon encouraged parents to be sure and ask their children if they’ve had any special visitors talking about Summer Reading at the Library.

“It’s the thing that gets me every year – the kids’ response to the visit I make to the schools prior to the start of Summer Reading,” she said. “Because of the tight school schedules, we don’t get to visit as often as we would like, so this is my big chance to get in the schools and see every child. I always plan something silly to promote the new theme and try to get the kids excited about coming to the library in the summer for the program. I love it when they come in after that, looking for me, and wanting to let me know they came in to sign up. They are so precious, with those ‘I remember you’ comments and ‘I’m here!’ responses. It really warms my heart.”

This year, the Library is also adding two new events as part of its Summer Reading Program.

“We are adding a Father/ Daughter Cinderella Tea on Saturday, June 20 and in July, a Mother/ Son Hero Games program on Saturday, July 18,” she said. “This is the first year we are having some Saturday programming, and we hope it will be a hit.”