Several years ago PaperTigers arranged to have author Ann Martin Bowler conduct a school outreach session in California.  PaperTigers Outreach Coordinator Theresa Gee said of the session  “Annie was absolutely incredible presenting two of her books at a Sacramento elementary school which I attended in the 1960′s. It serves a very low income neighborhood with many South Asian immigrants, so the day we spent at the school together was a real treat for the students and teachers.”

Yesterday, Theresa alerted me to this upcoming event which features Ann. If you happen to be in the Roseville area, I’m sure it would be well worth attending!

Join us for the kick-off party of  “One World, Many Stories” Roseville Library’s Summer Reading Club.
Monday, June 13th, 5:30 p.m.
Downtown Roseville Library
225 Taylor St., Roseville, CA, USA
Call (916) 774-5221 for more information

Bring your children out for a lively, interactive telling of multicultural tales and a celebration of books and cultures and come meet author Ann Martin Bowler! Annie  will be kicking off  “One World, Many Stories” with an engaging, kid-friendly, presentation of her books, All About Korea: Stories, Songs, Crafts, and More, Gecko’s Complaint: A Balinese Folktale and Adventures of the Treasure Fleet: China Discovers the World.

Roseville Library’s summer reading program has a decidedly international flavor, with lots of fun events and activities for kids young and old. A full listing of events can be found here

To read PaperTigers’ recent review of Ann’s new book All About Korea: Stories, Songs, Crafts and More (Tuttle, 2011) click here.

If sunlight and warmth have hit the almost-polar regions of the Pacific Northwest, then it must be summer everywhere in this hemisphere–time for lemonade, picnics, beaches, long days spent outdoors, and lots and lots of books!

Summer reading is its own special category of literature–it’s the time of year when we remember that books are instruments of delight and amusement. It’s also the time of year when so many other things compete for our time and attention that reading sometimes is put aside until autumn and the required reading lists roll around.

When The Papertigers blog first began, Corinne had a wonderful post that discussed summer reading programs presented by libraries (which, Marjorie told us, also takes place in England under the wonderful name of “reading schemes.” Wouldn’t you rather scheme than take part in a program?) and said that she and her children celebrated the end of school by going to their library, signing up for the reading program, and going home laden with books. What a splendid way to mark the beginning of summer!

Of course not everyone lives near a library that offers such a program–I certainly didn’t when I was a child–or perhaps a crowded schedule of sports, summer camp, and family vacations prevent participation in a library program. For these people, we invite you to make The Tiger’s Choice your summer reading program. It fits into any schedule since you can comment when you are ready, on your computer, at any time of the day or night. It welcomes readers of all ages who love children’s literature, so you can discuss books with your friends, your parents, or even your teacher! It’s also a great way for youth group leaders to supplement their own summer activities with discussions about books, or for educators to stay in touch with their students.

If the monthly selections don’t appeal to you, tell us what you are reading on your own and why you like it–you may help someone else to find a new favorite author. (This is what happened to kids who responded to our Asking the Kids questionnaire–Geronimo Stilton and Young James Bond now have new readers.)

We’ll keep track of your suggestions and comments–when the end of August comes around we hope all of us will have found new books to love and new ways at looking at old favorites. Please join us!

And please add your comments to our discussion of The Boy in the Striped Pajamas, which will end as June draws to a close.

There are lots of great literary events for kids happening throughout the summer but one of the closest (and according to my kids the best) events may be found at your local library. At this time of the year as schools let out for summer holidays, libraries unveil and promote their summer reading programs.

Summer reading programs began in the late 1800′s as a way to encourage children to read during their summer vacation, use the library and develop the habit of reading. Numerous studies show summer reading programs help ensure children retain reading and learning skills throughout the summer. As the American Library Association says “Summer reading programs are geared for reading for the fun of it. If you can read, thank a teacher. If you love to read, thank a librarian. Libraries are in the business of creating a new generation of readers – people who are curious and love to read. Summer library programs take advantage of children’s natural curiosity to introduce new subjects and different genres – things kids might not study in school but are interested in.”

Summer reading programs may vary but there is usually some incentive for the kids to read. At our local library kids that read for 15 minutes or more, 50 days throughout the summer receive a medal. Stickers are given out for every seven days of reading and special events for children and teenagers are held at the library throughout the summer. (I think almost every library is hosting a Harry Potter party on July 21st when the 7th and final book is released).

In our household it is a tradition that as soon as school is done we head to the library, sign up for the summer reading program and load ourselves up with a great selection of books. I hope you will make it a tradition in your home as well.