Base library summer reading program "is so delicious"

  • Published
  • By Senior Airman Katrina R. Menchaca
  • 374th Airlift Wing Public Affairs
YOKOTA AIR BASE, Japan --  With the end of the school term and the beginning of summer, students across base have the opportunity to partake in the summer reading program.

The Base Library and military installation libraries around the world are encouraging kids and adults to read this summer with the annual Department of Defense Morale, Welfare and Recreation summer reading program from June to August. The self-paced program encourages youth to read during their summer break.

This year's theme, "Reading is so Delicious," expands a reader's world of books by introducing them to books with food themes like James and the Giant Peach by Roald Dahl, The Very Hungry Caterpillar by Eric Carle and even cookbooks.

"The program gives kids something fun and interesting to do with this year's theme, combining the love of food and reading," said Kay Baumwart, Library director. "Many of the children can learn a new skill by checking out one of the many children's cookbooks that have been added to the library."

Any child dependent who is in 12th-grade and below with an account at the library has an opportunity to read and win. Children who are not eligible to check out books at the library are required to have their sponsor maintain a library account.

According to Baumwart, the goal of the summer reading program, "is to help children retain knowledge they have learned during the previous school year and improve their learning skills over the summer."

The library will also host arts and craft activities relating to the theme for program participants, including a flower arrangement class for 5th through 12th grade and all summer reading program parents.

With a food theme, children have an interesting topic to learn and read about, said Baumwart.

"The themes that the summer reading program present every year is to get children and their parents interested in the books and activities."

All titles recorded on the book log must be available in the library or on one of its databases such as TumbleBooksLibrary, Net Library and Overdrive. Audiobooks can also be counted on book logs toward a student's final book count.

"I don't care if a child is reading a comic book or an autobiography as long as they are reading," said Baumwart. "Reading is a skill that everyone needs to have in order to advance in their education. No matter how far you plan to go, you need to be able to read."

At the end of the summer, the summer reading program celebration party is scheduled for Aug. 16. Reading certificates will be presented to all participants and there will be prize raffles for all summer reading program participants present at the event. To participate in the event, children must be registered in the program and must have read at least one book.

To sign up for "Reading is so Delicious," visit the Base Library or call 225-7490 for more information.