By PAMELA GRANT
Cove Leader-Press
The Copperas Cove Public Library’s annual Summer Reading Program kicked off Tuesday with lots of fun and excitement with Big Time Bubbles shooting bubbles over a crowd of excited children, many of them armed with balloon swords.
The excitement was palpable with many of the kids shouting for joy as they tossed bubbles around, some dancing, some attempting to slice through the bubble stream with their balloon swords.
“So far, it’s going great. We were a little worried about the weather this morning, but it turned out perfect for us,” said library director Kevin Marsh. “We’ve got kids who are playing with bubbles, kids who’ve gotten their reading logs and are ready to start logging all their reading hours. We’ve got teen programs and adult programs, so we’re all set to go. I think that we learn a little every year that we do this, and every year we try to make it a little bigger, a little better, and a little more exciting. I think we’re set for a really good year this year.”
Children’s librarian Karen Eacrett is leading this year’s Summer Reading Program which has a theme of Color Our World. She said that they hope to be able to reach even more people this year.
“For the younger group, being exposed to literature and being talked to is really important,” said Eacrett. “There are many studies that show that kids who are read to and exposed to books do better in kindergarten and throughout school.”
She also stressed that reading helps to prevent “summer slide” where children who do not engage in learning tend to regress during their summer vacation. She said that reading can encourage learning and using one’s imagination.
“A reader lives a thousand lives,” said Eacrett.
Participants in the Summer Reading Program are encouraged to read 500 minutes to complete their reading logs earning them entrance into the Dominoes pizza party at the culmination of the program. They will also win various prizes donated by local businesses like Chik-fil-A, Sonic, Dairy Queen, and more. For each completed reading log, children are entered for the chance to win a bike donated by the Knights of Pythias.
In addition to encouraging reading, the library offers a wide variety of events and activities for children and teenagers.
Every Tuesday, they have toddler time for ages birth-3 at 10 a.m. They will also have classes at 2 p.m. each Tuesday. Some of the highlights include a musical petting zoo (children get to try out various instruments), STEM ice cream making, the TPW Buffalo Soldiers, and much more. Eacrett said that she is especially looking forward to the Buffalo Soldier reenactors.
On Wednesdays, they have various teen programs (ages 11-15) at 2 p.m. Some highlights include cartoon drawing, reptile care, and archaeology.
Every Thursday, they start with story time for ages 3-5 at 10 a.m., then, at 2 p.m., 4 p.m., and 6 p.m., they have their big Thursday shows.
“A lot of our Thursday programs are familiar faces. We have Jeff Hapke [the Bubble Magician] coming back, Wild Things Zoofari, and the Austin Reptile Show of course. We have a Yuk Science Show which is being brought to us through a grant by the Texas Commission for the Arts.”
Fridays they have adult programs at 7 p.m. (no program on July 4). This year’s programs feature things like book tasting, chocolate murder pairings, and local authors. At the end of the program, they will be discussing this year’s book, “The Housemaid” by Freida McFadden.
Hero Camp is also coming back. Hero Camp teaches participants about heroic values, virtues, and skills while also learning about sword fighting, storytelling, and how to find lessons within stories. Participants will make fighting gear out of wood, metal, and leather. These classes are for children aged 7-10 on Tuesdays at 3:30 p.m. and ages 11-17 on Wednesdays at 4 p.m. and 6 p.m. As of writing time, there were still spots available for the teen Hero Camp, but the 7-10 class was completely full.
Heather Henderson brought her children Emmalee Henderson (8) and Wesley Henderson (5) to Tuesday’s kickoff event. She said that she loves that the library offers the Summer Reading Program each year for free for the community.
“It gives us things to do during the summer, and it builds their imagination,” said Henderson.
Emmalee said that she really enjoys reading and enjoyed getting to play in all the bubbles. “It was fun!” said Emmalee. She said that she was most looking forward to the Austin Reptile Show. “I love seeing reptiles,” said Emmalee.
Next week’s Summer Reading Program continues Tuesday with toddler time at 10 a.m., a presentation by the Bell County Museum at 2 p.m., and Hero Camp at 3:30 p.m. Wednesday will feature a Heroes on the Water Fishing Clinic for teens at 2 p.m. and Hero Camp at 4 p.m. and 6 p.m. They will be closed on Thursday for Juneteenth. The Adult Summer Reading Program on Friday will feature a book tasting at 7 p.m.
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