Book bliss
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• Photo gallery: Summer Reads
By Zenaida Serrano
Advertiser Staff Writer
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For book lover Ryan Ogasawara, 11, reading doesn't end when school lets out for summer break.
Ryan and his younger bookworm brother, Peyton, both frequent visitors of Kalihi-Palama Public Library, are looking forward to their seventh year of participating in the state Public Library System summer reading programs.
"I really like the summer reading program because it makes me want to read more over the summer," said Ryan, who will be in the sixth grade.
The programs take place Sunday through July 18 at public libraries statewide and are open to children, teens and adults. Reading incentives include free stickers, stationery and snacks, as well as drawings for prizes such as bookstore gift cards and iPod Shuffles.
"Originally, summer reading programs started (at public libraries) to continue the efforts of schools to strengthen reading habits during the summer months, but now summers are so much shorter," said Susan Nakata, section manager with the system's library development services. "We truly want people to come in and read for the pure enjoyment of it."
Anyone can register for the program at any public library. Participants are encouraged to both visit a library and read at least one recommended book each week during the five-week program.
The campaign's incentives and prizes for drawings vary among the public libraries. There will also be performances by award-winning artists at libraries statewide throughout the summer.
"We're the best deal in town," Nakata said of the free programs, "and we have something for everyone."
Nu'uanu resident Jan Kobayashi, Ryan and Peyton's mom, said the campaign really motivates children to read.
"It teaches them at a young age that reading is fun," said Kobayashi, 47, a stay-at-home mom.
Highlights of the summer reading programs:
Reading incentives include growth charts, animal crackers and crayons. There will also be in-branch prize drawings for $50 bookstore gift cards, free DVD rentals at public libraries and more.
The children's program features performances by nationally acclaimed, award-winning storytellers Bobby Norfolk, Sherry Norfolk, Jim May and Diane Ferlatte. The performances are recommended for children 5 and older.
In addition to incentives such as mechanical pencils and potato chips, there will be in-branch drawings for iPod Shuffles, personal pan pizza certificates and various electronic gadgets. There will also be performances by Danny Carvalho, a Na Hoku Hanohano Award nominee for his CD "Somewhere," a slack-key album.
Incentives include snack bars, coupons for free coffee and CDs.
RECOMMENDED READS
Among the books recommended by the state Public Library System summer reading programs:
Infants and toddlers
"Goodnight Moon" by Margaret Wise Brown
"Moo, Baa, La La La!" by Sandra Boynton
"If You're Happy and You Know It!" by Jane Cabrera
"Brown Bear, Brown Bear, What Do You See?" by Bill Martin Jr.
"How Do Dinosaurs Say Goodnight?" by Jane Yolen
Preschool and kindergarten
"Elephants Can Paint, Too!" by Katya Arnold
"Angelina Ballerina" by Katharine Holabird
"I Spy Shapes in Art" by Lucy Micklethwait
"Bear's Picture" by Daniel Pinkwater
"Tanka Tanka Skunk!" by Steve Webb
Grades 1-3
"Luka's Quilt" by Georgia Guback
"The Dot" by Peter Reynolds
"Arthur and the Poetry Contest" by Marc Tolon Brown
"I Love to Draw" by Jennifer Lipsey
"Easy Earth-Friendly Crafts in Five Steps" by Anna Llimos Plomer
Grades 4-6
"The Seer of Shadows" by Avi
"Happy Birthday, Mrs. Piggle-Wiggle" by Betty MacDonald
"The Guide to Hawaiian-style Origami for Keiki" by Jodi Fukumoto
"The Jumbo Book of Drama" by Deborah Dunleavy
"Emeril's There's a Chef in my Soup! Recipes for the Kid in Everyone" by Emeril Lagasse
Grades 7-12
"Born to Rock" by Gordon Korman
"Into the Volcano" by Don Wood
"Nick & Norah's Infinite Playlist" by Rachel Cohn
"Tiger Moon" by Antonia Michaelis
"Punk Rock Etiquette: The ultimate how-to guide for punk, underground, DIY, and indie bands" by Travis Nichols
