Parties, Events Mark End of Summer Reading Games

Sure, it may seem like summer just started, but it's already been close to two months since area libraries launched their summer reading games. Now, as mid-August draws near, so do an end to the games.

And judging by the numbers, it seems that this summer, reading was a popular pastime for local residents.

About 200 children and parents packed the Bronxville library lawn to hear music by singer/songwriter Zev Haber, whose concert on July 27 marked the end of the kid's summer reading series. 

In Tuckahoe, finale festivities kick off tonight, with an outdoor barbecue for teens and a "disembarkment party" (the theme this year was "Cruise Into Reading") for adults.

Starting at 6:30 p.m., teens that participated in the series can enjoy a barbecue in the backyard of the library, where there will be games and a raffle, while adults will be inside for an early midnight buffet and more games and prizes.

"We've been doing teen, children and adult summer reading programs since the end of June and everybody in the various capacities, whether they're preschoolers and they're being read to or whether they're children, adults and teens and reading on their own, everyone's been participating and avidly coming through and playing along with the game," explains Ellen Tannenbaum, Youth Services Librarian. "So this is just our big grand finale because everyone's been so into it all summer long."

For the preschool set, storyteller Ellen "Watermelon," will be on hand to celebrate the end of the games on August 13 at 11 a.m.

And on June 20 at 11 a.m., the children's game for kids ages 4 and up culminates with a performance by singer/songwriter Patricia Shih, who has penned some 250 songs both for herself and with various artists.

Tannenbaum noted that more people participated in the series this year and that events have been well attended. 

Attendance was also been higher at the Eastchester Public Library this summer. About 700 kids signed up for the reading games, according to Mary Feldhaus, the head children's librarian.

"For us, we've had more kids sign up for the summer reading games this summer than all the other years I've been here," she said, noting that she'd been at the library for the past 14 and a half years. "It's been phenomenal. I think it's a combination of the heat and the fact that we offered online registration."

The children's games come to an end in Eastchester on August 16, when puppeteer Michael Graham from the Spring Valley Puppet Theater will put on two performances: "The Wolf in Sheep's Clothing" and "The Three Wishes." The event, which is for kids in kindergarten up through 5^th grade, will also feature a raffle for Borders gift certificates.

The next night, 2 to 4-year-olds that took part in the "Read to Me" game can listen to the music of Annie and the Natural Wonder Band from 1:30 – 2:30 p.m. Borders gift certificates will also be raffled off.

At both events there will be raffles for other prizes including hardcover books, t-shirts and more.

And finally, on Wednesday, teens in grades 6 – 12 can test their dance skills at the Dance, Dance Revolution party at 6 p.m. Raffle prizes include iTunes gift certificates.

Registration is required for all events at both libraries. For Tuckahoe, call (914) 14-961-2121 and for Eastchester call (914) 721-8105.