Summer reading program ends with special event in Jemison
Published 3:45 pm Friday, July 18, 2014
Readers participating in the Jemison Public Library one-week summer reading program were recognized on Friday during a special ceremony at Jemison Municipal Complex.
Readers participating in the Jemison Public Library one-week summer reading program were recognized on Friday during a special ceremony at Jemison Municipal Complex.
The theme for this year’s program was “Fizz, Boom, Read!” with an emphasis on science, and kids were asked to become a “readologist.”
The program was free and incorporated the statewide theme chosen by the Alabama Public Library Service for 2014.
Librarian Tammie McGriff said the program was designed to encourage kids to enjoy reading.
“I just want them to have fun,” McGriff said.
Roughly 25 kids attended Friday’s event with free face painting by Hope Swindle, a visit from Rex Bittle with Regions Bank, Allison Ray with Hayes Drugs and Kendell Blackwelder with Sarrell Dental.
Bittle handed out green piggy banks to each child who attended and spoke to those stopping by his booth about the importance of saving money.
Jasmine Parsons, 8, spends part of her summer each year staying with her “Mimi” Rosellar Lowery in Jemison where her favorite thing to do each day is read.
“I love to read chapter books,” Parsons said. “I like anything with cats.”
Parsons took home the first place prize for reading 71 books this week for the reading program.
“She loves to read,” Lowery said. “That is all she wants to do. She hasn’t stopped reading since the program began on Monday.”
Parsons said her favorite book was “The Pig in the Pond” by Martin Waddell.
“I liked it because the pig actually jumped in the pond,” Parsons said.
The top three readers were Parsons who read 71 books, Noah and Kaleigh Taylor who tied for second place by reading 43 books each and Natalie and Madison Higgins who tied for third place by reading 30 books each.
“Everyone did a great job this week,” McGriff said. “You all get a prize for participating.”
Dr. Narvel Black, a dentist in Jemison, spoke to the kids about the importance of brushing their teeth on Monday.
On Tuesday, kids learned about the Jemison Police Department; on Wednesday, Dr. Lisa Green, an eye doctor in Jemison, visited with the kids; and on Thursday, kids visited the Jemison Fire Department.
Each child participating in the program received a prize for reading.
Kaylee Taylor gets her face painted by Hope Swindle during a special ceremony held on Friday for the summer reading program held at the Jemison Public Library.
For more information about programs sponsored by the Jemison Public Library, call McGriff at (205) 688-4491 ext. 318.
