By Katie Warrener

Children’s Services Department, Warsaw Community Public Library

Jeannie Pullin won the Young Adult Book Madness contest.

WARSAW — The Warsaw Community Public Library Summer Reading Program is a fun way to include reading and learning activities in family time.

Our free program motivates children of elementary school age to enjoy being creative and keeping their minds active during summer break. It helps babies, toddlers, and pre-school children get ready to read. It supports the grown-ups in a child’s life, too.

Summer Reading begins Friday, June 1, and continues through Tuesday, July 31. Children are encouraged to read on their own or with their family at least 15 minutes a day, keep track of time spent reading, and celebrate their achievements with us. A library card is not required to participate, and participants may read whatever they wish, in any format. Along the way, children can earn a free book, small prizes, coupons for local treats, and entries in a grand prize drawing. Bonus challenges engage reluctant readers and avid readers alike.

This year’s theme is a celebration of music with “Libraries Rock!” Our summer calendar of events offers a whole slate of activities for children and their families. Weekly story times for children from birth to age 6 resume June 4 and continue through July 26: Mondays with Teddy for babies; Toddler Tuesdays for new walkers and talkers; and Pre-School Story Time Thursdays for confident walkers and talkers from age 3 to 6. We also host an all-ages story time Mondays at Central Park in June and at Winona Lake Park in July.

For children of elementary school age we have scheduled Minecraft, LEGO, coding activities, a musical movie makerspace, and an escape room game on various afternoons throughout the season.

We are excited to welcome five special guests to Warsaw this summer for child-friendly events. The Potawatomi Zoo shows how much animals rock by bringing the zoo the library at 4 and 6 p.m. Monday, June 18. Liza and Mark invite folks of all ages to dance and play along to traditional songs at 3 and 5 p.m. Tuesday, June 26.

Science Central demonstrates the science of sound in “Good Vibrations” at 3 and 5 p.m. Thursday, June 28. Daniel Lusk presents a musical magic show at 2 and 6 p.m. Monday, July 16. Stevens Puppets performs the classic tale “Beauty and the Beast” in a musical marionettes show at 2 and 6 p.m. Monday, July 23.

For full details about children’s Summer Reading programs and events, visit warsawlibrary.org or call (574) 267-6011. Rock on!