Even if you haven't grabbed a Summer Adventure activity card, there's still plenty of time to participate in our summer reading program. Washington County mom of three Elise Johnson caught our eye with her Instagram post, sharing that her youngsters had finished the program in the very first month of summer. (Way to go!) 

We asked Elise to share her parent's perspective about the program. She writes:

"This is our third year participating in Washington County Library's summer reading program, and my children and I love it more and more every year. My kids are pretty young—three under seven years old—so even my two older kids are still beginning readers. But this program is flexible and helpful for whatever age and reading level your child is at, and it’s both fun and a good challenge for them. It’s set up with just enough structure to inspire, but not so much that it’s stressful and time consuming (which is important during these busy summers!) The program offers plenty of activities for parents and kids to choose from, with options like “Go to a Park and Read” or “Do One Act of Kindness Every Day This Week” or “Read About Someone Different from You.” Our personal favorite was when we turned our living room into a giant fort and read to each other under flashlights. My kids are still talking about how fun it was, and those are the exact kinds of experiences I want them to have to look back on. I love that there isn’t a rigid checklist for them to complete, but rather simple ways to inspire them to find joy in books and in life, all the while creating memories as a family.

It meant so much to me to watch my kids turn in their completed summer reading cards to our sweet librarian, and then be able to hang their names on the wall. Their faces lit up with such pride and excitement. As parents, is there anything we love more? They had accomplished a program that involved a lot of exciting things but also a healthy amount of challenge. (Especially during these early years of reading when it can be slow, and easy for them to get tired and discouraged!) But they got to see how those moments of pushing through paid off and they felt the satisfaction and confidence to keep it up. I totally encourage other parents to have their kids participate in summer reading, whether you’re still in the ‘little’ years like me, where we are trying to impart a delight in learning early on, or whether you have older, skilled readers who would benefit from exploring new ways to enjoy literature. Washington County Library has created a wonderful program that has the heart of your child in mind, and that really supports you as a parent. Most important, the program helps us give our families what we really want for them: beautiful memories together and a love for reading that will last throughout their lives.”

For more information, check out the Kids' Summer Reading page. Zorb the alien is waiting for you! Summer Adventure at Your Library wraps up August 11.