Summertime is upon us once again, and everyone at Grandview is busy promoting the Summer Reading Program. Our "One World, Many Stories" signup booth is a pagoda, complete with dragons and oriental decorations. Our resident artist, Jessica, has completely dazzled everyone with her signup booth design again this year. Participation in the reading program is going well, and it is always our goal at Grandview to grow the Summer Reading Program bigger than the year before.
Here it is only the first part of July, and yet, it feels like summer is half over. I think the reason summer seems to go so fast is because of all the activities and the long days. And even though a lot of people complain about the heat, I feel the warm days also contribute to time passing by so fast. Think about it, in the winter when the sun has set by 6:00 p.m., you’re pretty much stuck inside.
It's summer time! Ever since I was a kid and participated in the Summer Reading Program, and later as a student, I loved that I could read as much as I wanted, when I wanted, and what I chose to read. That was all the incentive I needed.
While enjoying the holiday weekend, I heard "The Star Spangled Banner" several times. I was reminded of Beverly Cleary's character, Ramona, who misunderstood the lyrics of "...by the dawn's early light.." to be "...by the donzerly light.." For a long time, Ramona wondered silently what a "donzerly" was, and when she finally asked what a "donzerly" was, she was quite embarrassed by the answer. Beverly Cleary does such a good job of conveying the intensity of her embarrassment and other key moments in Ramona's very emotional childhood.
Independence Day is past, summer has begun its downward spiral to August, and alas, the dreaded time known as Back to School. That time that seemed an impossibly long way away back when school let out in May is coming, and it will be here before you know it.
It is officially summer. As usual for Missouri, we got a taste of summer heat and humidity a few weeks early this year. Even knowing that our hottest days are yet to come, you won't hear me complain. I am the same person who wrote a blog about hating winter.
Now I must say "Bonjour" since I am in Paris. I survived the bumpy ride on the plane, and it tickled when the custom inspectors searched the suitcase. Anyway, here I am on top of the Eiffel Tower! C’est magnifique! It’s a little scary because of the gusty winds up here, so I must hold on tight. It’s also a little rainy today. There are crowds of people from many countries up here and so many languages. I wish I could understand their stories.
It may seem surprising that even though babies cannot read, MCPL delights in having them involved in the Summer Reading Program. MCPL knows what smart parents, educators, and researchers know; it is never too early to start reading to your children.
Are you ready for a free, exciting journey around the world? Come and join us as we celebrate our One World, Many Stories summer reading successes!
All summer reading participants and their families are welcome, including teens! "Passengers" traveling with us will obtain a passport, and make their way around the world one last time this summer, playing a game for each continent. At the final destination, each traveler can trade their passport in for a souvenir bag.
