Uncover summer fun at Rosenberg Library

GALVESTON — “Dig Up a Good Book” is the 2011 theme for the Rosenberg Library’s Summer Reading Club.

A full schedule of events and a prize-based reading club provide children and families a well-rounded summer of entertainment and educational fun.

The reading club and all events are free to the public thanks to generous sponsorship. Newborns through seventh-graders are invited to participate. A separate club for teens also is available.

• The Summer Reading Club goes digital this summer.

Children can register, keep track of their reading, check for prizes they’ve won and write book reviews through the library’s new online software program.

This new system provides families and staff an easier and greener method to manage reading accomplishments.

The reading club begins June 2 and ends Aug. 12. To get started visit the library’s website at rosenberg-library.org.

Families are encouraged to take advantage of all the free summer programs though attendance is not required to earn prizes and be a summer reading club member.

• Kick off the summer at Palm Beach in Moody Gardens from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. June 3.

This free event is for the entire family and includes swimming, music and games with DJ Bill and giveaways. A discount meal of hamburger, chips and drinks will be available for $6.75.

• Bluebonnet Book Club begins at 2:30 p.m. June 7.

Children going into third through sixth grade are invited to come read, discuss and participate in activities related to this year’s Bluebonnet Book nominees.

Enjoy reader’s theater, snacks, crafts and games at this two-hour program.

• Giggles and fun are on tap Wednesdays at 10 a.m. starting June 8.

A professional line-up of entertainers will captivate little ones with stories, puppets, music, dance and more. Programs are geared for infants to age 7.

• Ready Readers, a brand new program for incoming first- through third-graders is on Wednesday from 2:30 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. and is designed to sharpen beginning reading skills.

This program will be led by a certified teacher well-versed in early reading skills.

• Thursday afternoons are jam-packed with a wide variety of quality professional entertainers geared for ages 7 and older.

Starting at 2:30 p.m. June 9, library hero Indiana mystifies with secrets, treasures and magic at “Readers of the Lost Book.”

The programming continues June 16 with Holly Cleeland, author of “Glue & Go Costumes for Kids: Super Duper Designs with Everyday Materials,” June 23 with Science Black Light Puppet Show, June 30 with Magic of Trixie Bond, July 7 with Keith Graves, author/illustrator who did the art work for the Texas Reading Club, July 14 with Texas A&M University at Galveston Shark Show, July 21 with Mutts with Manners and July 28 with Work Smarter, Not Harder: Simple Machines.

The programs conclude Aug. 28 with Mad Science. Workshops are scheduled after the programs June 23 and July 7. Both have limited space and require pre-registration.

• Art Studio features drop-in art projects geared for children ages 4 and older every other Tuesday from 9:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. beginning June 14.

A Galveston Arts Center artist conducts the program.

• Second Saturday brings family fun at 10 a.m. June 11 with Nitsana Lazerus, “The Puppet Lady.”

On July 9 at 10 a.m., Kiddie Kats present toe-tapping multigenerational musical hits and at 10 a.m. Aug. 13 a special storytime for toddlers featuring Old MacDonald.

• Babies and caregivers are invited to a special program at 10 a.m. June 18 to enjoy songs, stories, rhymes and bounces. Book recommendations and tips will be shared on how to nurture a lifelong love of books.

• Paleontologist dinosaur George and his fossilized buddies present an educational program on all things prehistoric at 2:30 p.m. Aug. 2.

• Story Fair caters to children and caregivers in group settings and is scheduled at 10 a.m. June 16, July 14, July 28 and Aug. 2 and features the same quality entertainers scheduled for those days.

For a complete list of summer events, pick up a brochure at the library or download from www.rosenberg-library.org.

The Rosenberg Library is at 2310 Sealy St. Library hours are 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Mondays through Saturdays.