The Neuse Regional Libraries’ Summer Reading Program is adding to its digital offerings. In addition to the exciting performers we have planned for mid-July in Pearson Park, at La Grange Park, and on the lawn at Pink Hill Public Library, we have online programs that can be enjoyed from home every week. The Youth’s Services Department will be providing Storytime programs on Mondays and Fridays and Teen Services will share weekly DIY and tutorial videos on Wednesdays that tie in to Summer Reading activities.

Monday Morning Storytime programs will showcase Miss Christine or Miss Amber reading a picture book that relates to one of the challenge cards featured in our Summer Reading Program booklet. On July 20, we will be reading Jack and the Beanstalk by Richard Walker. This book pairs nicely with the Jack and the Parachute STEM Challenge. This activity encourages children to help Jack escape from the giant using a parachute they create out of materials found at home. On July 27, A Big Mooncake for Little Star by Grace Lin will be shared. This book ties in with the Read a Fantasy Book and the Fantasy Word Scramble activities. On August 3, we will read The Princess Knight by Cornelia Funke and will challenge families to build a castle at home. These castles can be shared through pictures on the Neuse Regional Libraries’ Facebook page or brought into the library for display. On August 10, we will share That is Not a Good Idea! by the ever popular Mo Willems. Children will be encouraged to draw their own comic. Comic paper can be picked up at your local library or you can draw your own. Monday Morning Storytime will be on Facebook Live every Monday at 10:00 a.m. and will be available for 24 hours.

Friday mornings are “Fairy Tale Fridays.” Miss Amber or Miss Christine will read The Interrupting Chicken by David Ezra Stein, Thunder Rose by Jerdine Nolan, Coyote by Gerald McDermott, Annie Oakley Saves the Day by Anna DiVito, Love and Roast Chicken by Barbara Knutson, and Jack and the Animals by Don Davis. Fairy Tale Friday will take place on Facebook Live every Friday at 10:00 a.m. and will be available for 24 hours.

Listening to stories online counts towards your Summer Reading Program reading goals. Each story can count as 15 minutes on your reading log. Completed challenge cards and reading logs should be returned to your local library to earn small prizes and entry tickets towards winning a larger prize during the Summer Reading Program’s prize drawings taking place on August 15 at 1:00 p.m. on Facebook Live.

For the teens, there will be weekly DIY and tutorial videos that tie in to Summer Reading activities. Teen patrons that want a craft bundle from the weekly craft may ask for one. Supplies are limited, so make sure to request your kit after the video airs on the Library’s Facebook and Instagram pages on Wednesdays at 2:00 p.m. On July 15, everyone can learn how to make 3D paper dragons for a cool addition to their room décor. Later in August, there will be a Princess Bride-related paper craft. A Virtual Escape Room will soon be available on the Neuse Regional Libraries’ website on the Teen page.

It is not too late to join the Summer Reading Program. Children and teens can join the program by coming in to their local library and having their parent or guardian fill out a registration form. Registration forms can also be found online at www.neuselibrary.org. For more information about the Summer Reading Program or any of our virtual children’s programs, please call the children’s department at 252-527-7066 ext. 133.