A Summer Of Reading

To the Editor:

The C.H. Booth Library summer reading program has officially ended. The children’s department was busy with lots of programs, voracious readers, and young adult volunteers. This year, 57 young people donated 664 volunteer hours to help with our summer reading program. Thank you so much, we couldn’t do it without you!

I would also like to thank the area businesses who donated prizes for our readers: My Place, Dunkin’ Donuts, Caraluzzi’s Market, Ferris Acres, The Drug Center, The Magic Garden, The Toy Tree, Franco’s and Carminuccio’s, thank you for your support.

I would also like to thank some wonderful adult volunteers who donated their time and talent this summer. Curtis Urbina held four popular story times for young children, John Renjilian worked with me on the FETCH science workshops, and Jane Paley brought her wonderful therapy dog, Hooper, to read with the children on three Saturday mornings.

Children were captivated by Janice Bernard’s unique approach to visualizing fine works of art. Author and illustrator Ross MacDonald had more than 60 children drawing story book characters right along with him, and another local author, Scarlett Lewis, shared her first book, Rose’s Foal, with us. Local artist Paula Hughes guided young artists in four create-a-cat workshops. Last, but certainly not least, I would like to thank the Friends of the Library for sponsoring all the wonderful performances that educated and entertained us throughout the summer.

Alana Bennison

Children’s Librarian

25 Main Street, Newtown                                            August 18, 2009