Tails & Tales Summer Reading Challenge with Seekonk Library Ongoing through August 21

It's summer and Seekonk Library's Summer Reading Challenge is on! Registration continues for Tails & Tales, this year’s summer reading challenge. Sign-up then keep track of how much time is spent reading. There are no titles to record, or specific books to read. Kids can read any combination of books, magazines, graphic novels, Sunday comics, eBooks, or audio books. Read anything and everything because it all counts toward the challenge.

What’s the challenge? The personal challenge is to read 15 – 20 minutes a day. Children register for the program then log their reading time online to earn virtual badges, take part in interesting activities and earn raffle tickets for a chance to win one of 30+ raffle prizes. Kids are also encouraged to read to help reach the community challenge of 250,000 minutes before August 21. Want to simplify? Just log the time spent reading. Either way is fine with us!

Why log reading time? The process of logging time encourages children to actively work toward the goal of 15 – 20 minutes per day. Children who log their time are more engaged in the program and can be more self-motivated to read. Children can log their reading time as often as they wish but they are not required to log their time every day. However, there are added incentives for 3 day, 7day and 30 day logging streaks.

Why Summer Reading? Summer reading loss often happens when children are not actively reading during the summer months. Studies have shown that children who don’t read over the summer can lose 1-3 months of reading proficiency. Also, 9 in 10 teachers spend at least 3 weeks reteaching skills at the beginning of the school year due to summer reading loss. Know that summer reading programs are endorsed by principals, teachers, and educators to help combat summer learning loss.
It’s free to participate and registering for the program is easy by visiting www.seekonkpl.beanstack.org  Please have your SAILS Library card available when registering. Don’t have a SAILS card? Contact us at childrens@seekonkpl.org  or call (508) 336-8230
Sign up, read, log time. Combat summer learning loss with Seekonk Library’s summer reading program for children!
Tails & Tales is sponsored by Seekonk Public Library, CSLP, the Massachusetts Library System, the Boston Bruins, and the Massachusetts Board of Library Commissioners.

The Flamingos are Here!
They’re back! Sign your child up for the “Tails & Tales” summer reading challenge and after logging 7 hours of time spent reading, your child will earn their very own lawn flamingo. Then the creativity begins! Each child will be asked to decorate their flamingo to look like an animal with a tail- think about zoo animals, jungle animals, even the family pet. The sky’s the limit because everyone can decorate to their heart’s content. Once decorated, kids will place their flamingo on their front lawn for everyone to see. The flamingos are at Seekonk Library just waiting to be picked up so get reading and let’s fill the town with flamingos! Questions? childrens@seekonkpl.org  (508) 336-8230 x56140
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Summer Storytimes
Friday, August 6, 13 at 10 AM
Join Miss Sharon or Miss Sandie for a weekly Friday storytime held outdoors in Seekonk Meadows. No registration required, just drop by...and bring something to sit on. Held indoors if raining.

Sculpting with Fiber
Wednesday, August 11, 10-11:30 AM
Most of us are familiar with sculpting three dimensional objects with clay, but what about sculpting with wool? In this class for children in grades 3 - 5, we will teach the basics of both wet and needle felting techniques. Students can make needle felted designs and small sculptures or simply explore the soft woolen materials. Knitting and needle felting are great ways to calm the mind and “fidget” while being creative. This class does require the use of felting needles, which will be provided. Taught by artist and RISD instructor, Cheryl Adams.

Free Comic Book Day
Saturday, Aug 14, 10 AM - 4 PM
Children and families are invited to celebrate Free Comic Book Day by stopping by Seekonk Library between 10 am and 4 pm for a FREE, newly released kids' comic book. Comic books include Investigators, Star Wars, Last Kids on Earth, Archie, Sonic and more. While supplies last. No registration needed- just drop by and pick out YOUR free comic book!

Introduction to Photography for Kids
Wednesday, August 18, 10AM-11:30AM
Please register for the waitlist as this program is full. Using the light and beauty of the Seekonk Meadows, students entering grades 3-5 will create their own individual images while learning the basic functions of the camera, composition, color, and available light. Basic digital cameras are available for check out through the library. This photography program will be held in person, outdoors in Seekonk Meadows. Registration required. Weather permitting.

Kindergarten Here I Come!
Thursday August 19, 10 AM - 11 AM
Children entering kindergarten this September (and their families) are invited to this special program just for them! The program will start indoors with stories about kindergarten and starting school. Then we’ll move outside to climb aboard a school bus and go for a short ride through Seekonk. The program also includes a kindergarten activity booklet to take home. Join us for this special event that celebrates the start of kindergarten! Registration required. Siblings welcome. Special thanks to Frank Braga, Transportation Director for Seekonk Schools and Tremblay's Bus Company for collaborating with the library to bring this program to the community! Space is limited. Registration required.

Watermelon Storytime
Thursday, August 26 at 10 AM
Join us for another special storytime at Osamequin Farm. First, Farmer Sarah will read a watermelon story (or two!) Then we'll walk over to the watermelon patch to see how watermelons grow and try a great way of finding out if they're ripe. Best suited for ages 3+ but families with children of all ages are welcome to attend. Registration required. The program will be held at Osamequin Farm, 80 Walnut St, Seekonk, MA. A "weather dependent" event.

Build and Launch a Rocket!
Saturdays, August 28 and September 11 at 10 AM
Model rocket building and launching is back! Participants will build a rocket on Saturday, August 28 and then launch it in the Meadows on Saturday, September 11. All supplies provided. Facilitated by Major Don Morrison of the Civil Air Patrol. Ages 7+ with adult participation. Build sessions are limited to 10 children. The 10 AM program is full. Please register for the waitlist. If 5 or more children register for the waitlist then an 11:30 AM build session will be added. This program is sponsored by the Civil Air Patrol and their Model Rocketry Program. For a link to a great video of Major Morrison talking about rocketry at the library visit the library’s calendar of events at www.seekonkpl.org,  August 28.
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Seekonk Public Library Services for Children and Families
Books All Summer Long
Whether you’re looking for picture books, beginner readers, chapter books, or nonfiction books for your child, we have thousands of books, magazines, graphic novels and eBook titles to choose from. Browse our catalog at www.seekonkpl.org and also our collections of ebooks, videos and audiobooks available through OverDrive, Hoopla and Tumblebooks. Links at seekonkpl.org. You will need your SAILS library card to place items on hold or check items out. Don’t have a card? Email us at childrens@seekonkpl.org 
OverDrive
Your child's source for e-Books and audio books for every device. Discover picture books, chapter books, graphic novels and more. Explore Libby, the 'user-friendly' OverDrive app. www.seekonkpl.org. No monthly limit on checkouts.
Hoopla
Instantly borrow eBooks, audiobooks, comics, movies, music and more for your child, 24/7 with your library card. Monthly limit on checkouts.
TumbleBooks
Encourage reading with interactive books and activities. Something for every age child! Featuring picture books, chapter books, graphic novels, National Geographic videos, games, puzzles & more. No app needed, nothing to download, no borrowing, just click and read. Visit www.seekonkpl.org and scroll to bottom of homepage for link Also, to search our main catalog of titles (not ebooks) visit www.seekonkpl.org. Remember that Seekonk Library has resources that support summer leisure reading. Need assistance? Stop in or email the Youth Services Librarians at childrens@seekonkpl.org  or call (508) 336-8230 x56140