Prizes, crafts, magic, Teddy Bear Picnic, summer reading club, arrive from Fall River Public Library

Despite COVID-19 and the coronavirus pandemic, Fall River Public Library is still eager to share the love of reading, making crafts, and other fun activities summer visitors have long enjoyed! Online storytimes, craft demonstrations, magic workshops, video presentations, the popular Teddy Bear Picnic, and this year’s summer reading club, “Imagine Your Story”, will be available for families to participate in throughout the summer starting Monday, July 6.

Parents can obtain an official “Imagine Your Story” reading log for children to keep track of their summer reading progress by calling the Children’s Room at 508-324-2700, ext. 4, to schedule a curbside pick-up. Online registration is also available this year by utilizing the new online app called Beanstack, found on the library’s website at fallriverlibrary.org. Reading logs must be returned to the library by August 21 by 4:00 p.m.

Each child that actively participates in the summer reading program and reads at least 20 picture books or 5 chapter books will receive a reading certificate, a special gift, and a chance to win one of several grand prizes including a bicycle! Winners will be announced during a live, online drawing on Friday, August 21 at 11:00 a.m. The summer reading club is open to children 12 years and younger. Even if a child cannot read on their own, they can still participate by having an adult read to them.

Throughout the summer, the library will be offering online Preschool Storytimes featuring a variety of popular children’s authors and different themes. These can be found on the library’s Facebook page and YouTube channel. Every week the Children’s Room will offer a different easy-to-make craft that can be obtained through the library’s curbside pick-up. Floating submarines, tropical fish mobiles and an octopus necklace are just a few of the crafts that will be featured. Each pre-packaged kit contains everything a child will need to complete one craft. A couple of the more involved crafts will have easy-to-follow video demonstrations presented by Children’s Staff available for viewing on the library’s Facebook page. Parents can call the Children’s Room at 598-324-2700, ext. 4 to arrange a pick-up date and time.

Other special online events this summer will include Magic at the Library, a fun demonstration of magic tricks that can be performed by children at home using easy-to-find items. The online workshop is performed by local entertainer Tony Medeiros and can be viewed any time on the library’s web site and Facebook page. Continuing its decades-long tradition, the library’s annual Teddy Bear Picnic will be broadcast live on the library’s Facebook page as well as on local FRCTV on Thursday, July 13 at 11:00 a.m. A Jungle Adventure Storytime will premiere on the library’s Facebook page on Tuesday, August 4 at 11:00 a.m., and Father Goose’s Tales: A Shadow Puppet Show will also be broadcast live on Thursday, August 20 at 11:00 a.m., and will remain available for viewing for two weeks on the library’s Facebook page.

For further information about these or other children’s events, contact David Mello at 508-324-2700, ext. 4 or visit the library’s website at fallriverlibrary.org.