Aplington, Parkersburg libraries join forces for summer reading

AREA – The Kothe Memorial Library in Parkersburg and the Aplington Public Library are teaming up to present this year’s Summer Reading Program, “Reading Colors Your World,” with plenty of fun programs targeted at kids from ages kindergarten to fifth grade but plenty of other summer fun for all ages.

The fun begins with an outdoor movie night & pajama party behind the library on Friday, June 11 with the movie “How To Train Your Dragon” beginning at 8:30 p.m. - attendees are asked to bring blankets and chairs.

Robb Holladay will present an “amazing magical balloon show” on Monday, June 14, with a 10:30 a.m. performance at the Parkersburg Civic Center and a 1 p.m. showtime at the Aplington Community Center.

There will be more events to come as the summer rolls on covering a variety of fun topics, including building bots, a drum safari, and two more outdoor movie nights - with further updates to be published in upcoming issues of the Eclipse.

Aplington and Parkersburg children grades six through 12 are invited to take part in the “U Pick Da’ Book” program at the libraries.

Readers can choose a book with a $15 value at either library that will be their book to keep and share with others, and they can complete a “Shelf Talker” for a chance to win a monthly prize, and then choose another book to do it all again.

There will also be reading logs, bingo sheets and reading challenges available this summer for all ages.

Kothe Memorial Library will also be offering a “Reading on Main” series, beginning May 28 through June 14 as the pages of “How the Crayons Saved the Unicorn,” a book written by Monica Sweeney and illustrated by Feronia Parker Thomas, will be displayed in a downtown loop beginning at Kothe Memorial Library and wrapping around to finish at Lawler & Swanson. Kids can stop in the library after reading an answer a question from a librarian about the book for a prize.