Abbot Library Summer Reading Kicks Off

Marblehead parents looking to get their children reading, and keep them entertained during the summer months, found a respite from the heat at the Abbot Public Library today, where storyteller Mark Binder helped kick off the children's summer reading program.

The author of  books like "It Ate My Sister," Binder is a Newton native who lives in Providence, R.I. and tours the region with his animated tellings of his original stories (and some favorites like "Jack and the Beanstalk").

Binder performed stories and songs for parents and young kids Tuesday morning, injecting humor into his stories (including jokes about cellphones and eBay that were intended for the parents). He recreated a few of his stories to fit Marblehead themes like clamming and going to the beach.

"I write books and tell stories, so I like to encourage reading," Binder said.

For children, teens and pre-teens, the library has several summer reading promotions such as "Be a Star! Read the Book, See the Movie!" for young kids, and a teen reading program called "You've Seen the Movie, Now Read the Book."

Next month, movie showings at the library will kick off with the Disney animated film "The Princess and the Frog," on Wednesday, July 7 at 2 p.m., and the Brendan Fraser fantasy film "Inkheart" on Tuesday, July 13 at 2p.m.

For adults, Marblehead author Eric Jay Dolan will be reading from his latest book, "Fur, Fortune and Empire," on Thursday, July 15 at 7 p.m.