South Windsor Summer Reading Dreams Big

When you teach a child to read, you give them the tools to succeed, to be creative and to dream big.

This summer, the South Windsor Public Library is not only encouraging young readers to "dream big," but to also "own the night." The 2012 Summer Reading program is in full swing having started on June 25 and already children are racking up page turning hours.

This year's focus is on nighttime reading. Children in Kindergarten through fifth grade can participate in the Dream Big - READ program, while pre-teens and teenagers starting in sixth grade can take part in Own The Night. There is even an adult summer reading program called Between the Covers. 

For children, the library offers a variety of special activities, from crafts to movie marathons to dream themed story hours, to encourage the young readers to use their imaginations and lose themselves in stories.

On Thursday morning, Reeya Khurena hunkered down in the children’s room waiting for young readers to come in, log their hours and then join her at the craft table.

Khurena is one of dozens of older summer readers who volunteer their time to encourage the younger children to participate by working with them on special craft each week and talk to them about what they've read.

"I like to help kids and volunteer at the library," Khurena, 13, a rising freshman at South Windsor High School, said. "It's also good for community service hours."

Children’s Librarian Sandy Westbrook said that sometimes, young children are shy or uncomfortable talking to adults about what they've read or stories they've enjoyed. Westbrook has noticed that they are more likely to open up to older children about their favorite characters or what they want to read next.

Khurena's mother, Renu Khurena, said the volunteer program is a great opportunity for her daughter to work with younger children and continuing her own reading.

"It gives a good opportunity to teens to help little kids and it's a good volunteer opportunity for high schoolers. [Reeya] loves to read, so this is the best thing," she said.

For more information about the summer reading program contact the South Windsor Public Library at (860) 644-1541.