Summer readers ‘dig’ under the ‘surface’

(CONTRIBUTED)

MADISON – Readers are ‘digging’ into books while ‘getting under the surface’ with Madison Public Library this summer.

“Dig Into Reading” is the children’s theme, while teenagers are exploring “Beneath the Surface.” “I joke that this is our Super Bowl season, because it’s full to the brim with great activities,” youth services librarian Mandy Pinyan said.

In May, the Helen P. Lee Fun Run launched summer reading. Pinyan acknowledged support from Friends of the Library, Madison Fire and Rescue Department, Nesin Therapy Services, Sugar Belle Cupcakes and Lee’s family and friends.

Sci-Quest Hands-on Science Center will visit twice. “Children can launch their own test-tube ‘volcano’ and (make) a tiny robotic ‘jitterbug,'” Pinyan said. “Sci-Quest events are always a huge hit. We’re so thrilled to welcome them to Madison.”

“Animals Underground” will visit on July 26 at 6 p.m. Family Craft Days are held on Mondays at 3 p.m.

Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) sessions, affiliated with Discover Tech, have outstanding guests. On Paper Airplane Day, participants learned about principles of flight.

For teens, the Zombie Event on July 20 at 6 p.m. will involve author A.J. Coleman “and her horde of zombies and a feast on a macabre table full of zombie snacks,” Pinyan said. Teens can play a capture-the-flag version of “Unicorns vs. Zombies” in a darkened library after hours. Coleman will sign and sell her books.

Events also are targeted for toddlers, preschoolers and elementary students. Pinyan and colleague Maggie Allen have adjusted all storytimes for the summer theme, with sessions like “Construction,” “Dinosaur” and “Bugs.”

Their time-tracking program documents a child’s reading log. For every two hours, readers earn an ant for the library anthill. When summer ends, everyone submits their logs for prize drawings.

“Our program is altruistic. We’ve partnered with Operation Green Team, affiliated with Keep America Beautiful Inc.,” Pinyan said.

“Maggie and I are stewards of the summer and cheer each reader. You never know … ‘Pirate Penguin vs. Ninja Chicken’ may be your next favorite book,” Pinyan said (topshelfcomix.com/catalog/pirate-penguin-vs-ninja-chicken-book-1/727).