Children’s Summer Reading
2024 Children's Summer Reading
2024 Children's Summer Reading Challenge
Read, Renew, Repeat with the Windham Public Library Children’s Summer Reading Program! From June 17 – August 16 we will have programs, activities, and challenges to engage your brain and body and help you learn about yourself. Earn prizes by completing activities on bookmarks! The first bookmark earns you a free book! Every completed bookmark after that gets you a choice from a selection of small prizes.
Completed bookmarks must be turned in by August 30th!
Register and get your materials in person at the Children’s Room desk starting June 17th or sign up online and print a copy of the challenge from home.
Summer Reading Events!
Books & Babies
Tuesdays @ 10:15 - 10:35 am
Appropriate for children from birth - 24 months. Program lasts approximately 20 minutes and includes songs, fingerplays, and a story. Will meet outdoors unless there is inclement weather. Feel free to bring your own seating.
Preschool Story Time
Wednesdays and Thursdays @ 10:30 - 11:00 am
Children up to age 5 and their parents/caregivers are invited to join us. This interactive program includes stories, songs, fingerplays, dancing and more. Will meet outdoors, weather permitting. Feel free to bring your own seating.
Wonder Wednesdays
Wednesdays, July 10 - August 14 @ 2:00 - 3:00 pm
Join us in celebrating Smokey the Bear’s 80th birthday by participating in the Smokey the Bear reading challenge: read 3 books and earn 4 badges to complete the challenge and earn a prize. Each of these weekly programs about wildfire prevention and the environment will count for one badge. This program is designed for students in grades 2-6 and parents/caregivers are encouraged to stay too. Some programs will be outside, weather permitting.
Outdoor Movement
Thursdays, July 11 - August 15 @ 4:00 - 5:00 pm
Let's get physical! Join the children's department for yoga, improv games, obstacle courses, hula hoops, dancing, and other activities to get us moving around and engaged outdoors. Open to kids and their families from K-6. This program is weather permitting and will meet outside the Children's Room.
Fun with 4H
Fridays, July 12 - August 16 @ 10:00 - 11:00 am
Join us for an introduction to animal science with Allison from 4H! We’ll read stories and learn all about your favorite farm animals. This program will be aimed at ages 4-9. Registration preferred, call the library or see our calendar for the registration link.
Story Time With Horses! (OFF-SITE)
Wednesday, June 26 @ 10:30 am - 11:30 am
Join us at the Maine State Society for the Protection of Animals to have a story time with horses! We’ll read books and do our normal story time routine, and then after that we’ll have time for questions and visiting horses. Aimed at kids ages 2-7.
Smoothie Making
Wednesday, June 26 @ 2:00 - 3:00 pm
Do you enjoy smoothies but aren't sure how to make them? Maybe you want to learn some new recipes? Join us for smoothie making with Alola. This program is aimed at grades 2-6.
Mr. Drew and His Animals Too (OFF-SITE)
Wednesday, July 3 @ 2:00 - 3:00 pm
Are you interested in animals? Love reptiles? Then we have a show for you! Join Mr. Drew in seeing some awesome creatures and learn all about their life. This program will be at Windham Middle School. Aimed at ages 3 and up.
Stuffed Animal Sleepover
Tuesday, July 9 - Wednesday, July 10
What kind of mischief can your stuffed friend get up to at the library? Drop them off for our sleepover to find out. Participants will get a slideshow of their friends activities, and a small surprise. Friends should be dropped off during the library's open hours on July 9th and picked up on the 10th. Registration required.
Author Storytime: Holly Valero
Wednesday, July 10 @ 10:30 am - 11:30 am
Join us for a story time with the author of the Mouse and Elephant series! We’ll read at least one of these fun books, and then Holly will discuss where she gets her ideas and give us a demonstration of how she does the illustrations. For ages 2 and up.
Garden Party
Monday, July 15 @ 10:00 - 11:00 am
Put your hands in the dirt with Alexis! We will be exploring ways to build and support healthy, happy, and sustainable gardens both indoors and out. Learn about permaculture techniques such as water retention and recycling, supporting our native pollinators, and composting. Best for ages 4 and up.
Author Visit with Tamra Wight
Monday, July 22 @ 6:00 - 7:00 pm
Join us to learn all about the amazing Cooper and Packrat series with Tamra Wight! She’ll tell us about what it’s like to own a campground and awesome stories about the wildlife she’s seen while researching for her books. Books will be available for purchase and signing. Aimed at ages 8 and up.
Family Art Day
Monday, July 29 @ 1:00 - 5:00 pm
Join us for a day of celebrating art! Play with the art supplies scattered around and outside the library. Get messy, have fun, and embrace your inner artist. For all ages.
Beekeeping- The Honey Exchange
Wednesday, August 14 @ 6:00 - 7:00 pm
Phil Gaven, the owner of “The Honey Exchange” in Portland and an expert beekeeper, will dazzle participants with an actual hive of bees, provide a honey tasting, and give a PowerPoint slide show about beekeeping. For ages 8 and up. For more information contact Ray at the Help Desk.
Caring for Horses (OFF-SITE)
Tuesday, August 20 @ 2:00 - 3:00 pm
Curious about the care of horses? Want to learn more about animal rescue? Not ready for 4H Animal Science to end? Join us for an afternoon at the Maine State Society for the Protection of Animals to get all your questions about horses and horse rescue answered. For ages 7-12.
Sewing with Alola
Wednesday, August 21 @ 2:00-3:00 pm
Do you know how to sew? Would you like to refresh your memory on some basic stitches? Join us for sewing with Alola, where we will learn some basic stitches and how to sew on a button. Appropriate for grades 2 and up.
For more information please contact the children’s room at 207-892-1908 ext. 4.