Summertime is Story Time

Times-Picayune

May 31, 2004

Parents and librarians are always fishing for ways to encourage a love of reading. Summer programs that offer rewards and include skits, magic shows and nature programs are the latest bait.

By Barri Bronston, Staff writer

Erin MacInnes has a problem that many parents would give anything to have. Her son Ian, 7, is such a book lover that he battles bedtime just so he can squeeze in one more chapter, or at the very least one more page.

He especially enjoys “Captain Underpants,” the wacky series of books known for its bathroom humor and gross adventures.

“Its pure genius in getting boys interested in reading,” MacInnes said of the series, published by Scholastic Inc. and written by Dav Pilkey. “It is so gross, and each chapter ends with a cliffhanger so Ian always begs to please read one more chapter. ”

MacInnes and her son are frequent visitors to their neighborhood library, where they use the computer to find books on sports, super heroes or other topics of interest to Ian.

“Lots of times they are just picture books about sports,” MacInnes said, “but its the beginnings of using the library and going to a book for information.” Ian even has his own library card.

They plan to hit the library a lot this summer, both for pleasure and for education. Studies indicate that children who read regularly during summer vacation return to school at or above their spring reading levels.

But while some children can devour several books in a week, others look at reading as a chore. These are the kids who need to take advantage of the summer to explore topics that they might not have time for during the school year, said David Winkler-Schmit, head of childrens services for the New Orleans Public Library.

“Its an excellent time to pick up a book about something youre interested in,” he said. “It may be about magic tricks or juggling. It may be a comic book. A lot of times parents may think those kinds of books are not constructive, but the point is theyre reading.”

One way to nourish interest in reading is to sign children up for a summer reading program. AMC Theatres, for example, rewards children who read three books by giving each one a concession pack of popcorn, snack and a drink. And the states Summer Reading Program awards certificates, prizes and parties to children who read eight to 10 books, depending on the parish.

The Summer Reading Program, which this year is dubbed “Buggy About Books,” also features an array of activities, from story hours and magic shows to theatrical performances and nature programs. For teens, many libraries offer activities such as jewelry making, acting classes, creative writing workshops and book clubs.

“Our teen programs picked up drastically this year,” said Burke McFerrin, director of programming for the Jefferson Parish Library. “We have such a good opportunity when theyre 13 to 16, but once they start driving, if we havent gotten them by then, weve lost them.”

Last summer, she played “tricks” on students by putting out a display of books to coincide with a particular activity, such as a magic show. “Pretty much every magic book we had in the system was checked out,” she said.

Babies, toddlers and preschoolers can be as much a part of the Summer Reading Program as school-age children and teens. One way for the younger set to participate is to have parents read a certain number of books to them.

Reading expert Marilyn Levin, a former school teacher who now leads an early literacy class called R.E.A.D., said such parent involvement not only strengthens the parent-child bond but also is vital to a childs intellectual, social and emotional development.

“The single most important thing that a parent can do is read to their child and with their child,” she said. “Even at a young age, they can express genre preferences. They know what they like. And thats very important. A child who is allowed to pick out what he or she likes is a lucky child. You want to find a hook, an avenue that interests your child.”

Levins classes are geared to children 18 months to 6 years of age, with younger children required to have a parent or caregiver in attendance. Classes last six weeks and are divided among various age groups.

The main objective of the class is not to teach little ones to read but to help them develop a love of books at a young age. Classes typically begin with storytime and include puppetry, music, crafts and dress-up.

“If you can get them to respond to literature in some way, it becomes part of who they are,” Levin said.

Dr. Pat Blackwell, a developmental psychologist, agreed, saying that early exposure to books helps children develop an array of skills, including listening, memory and critical thinking.

Through her Wee Wonders and Tee Wonders classes, Blackwell teaches parents of infants and toddlers how to strengthen their childrens brains through play. Books are an integral part of the program.

“With the real little ones, you want to start out with sensory-type books, books they can feel like Pat the Bunny, or books they can take into the pools or bath,” she said. “Sometimes parents will get upset if toddlers want to chew on a book, but if thats what they want to do, its a start.”

In time, parents can add other reading-related activities to their childrens routine, such as acting out stories and having them make their own illustrated books, Blackwell said. In addition, parents should demonstrate their own enjoyment of reading.

MacInnes said her son enjoys reading books based on episodes of favorite cartoons, such as “Kim Possible,” “SpongeBob Squarepants,” “Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles” and “Rocket Power.”

“When you cant stand the TV anymore — which happens to me a lot — and the kids are still interested in their cartoon shows,” she said, “then reading the episode is a nice compromise.”