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Friday, August 17, 2007
Seashore Trolley Museum and the Southern Maine Library District will welcome Maine’s First Lady Karen Baldacci (wife of Governor John Baldacci) to the opening of the 7th annual Summer Reading Celebration on Friday, August 17, 2007. Baldacci will be on hand to welcome summer reading program participants and other visitors, and to enjoy a ride on Seashore’s historic railway line.
The theme of this year’s Celebration is Get a Clue @ Your Library! The Reading Celebration will feature three award-winning children’s authors and illustrators who have created books that relate to this theme. Additional entertainment and children’s activities will take place throughout the day, along with an expanded schedule of railway operations.
Many local families include the Reading Celebration as an essential part of their summer schedule, eagerly anticipating the event each year. Summer reading program participants at York and Cumberland County libraries receive passes and family discounts to the Celebration. Other visitors enjoy the full schedule of Reading Celebration events at regular Seashore admission fees (free for ages 5 and under).
| 10:00 – 5:00 |
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Seashore Trolley Museum open to visitors (last ride at 4:15) |
| 11:00 - 11:25 |
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Library Book Cart Drill Team |
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Welcome by First Lady Karen Baldacci |
| 11:30 – 11:55 |
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Mystery of the Missing Book: a skit by Crossroads Youth Star Camp |
| 12:00 – 12:25 |
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Author Laura Rankin |
| 12:30 – 12:55 |
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Magician Peter Boie |
| 1:00 – 1:25 |
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Author Sarah L. Thomson |
| 1:30 – 2:30 |
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Author Brian Lies and the “Bats at the Beach” party |
The Celebration will be held rain or shine.
The featured authors will offer book signings, and Longfellow Books of Portland will be on hand to sell books by these authors. Laura Rankin is a picture book writer and illustrator who lives in Kennebunk. Portland resident Sarah L. Thomson is the author of children’s non-fiction and young adult novels. Brian Lies, of Duxbury, MA, wrote and illustrated the New York Times bestseller Bats at the Beach and many other picture books. As part of his “2007 BATS at the Beach Tour” promoting reading, Lies will delight children at the Celebration with his BATSmobile.
Entertainment will include a performance by magician Peter Boie, and a skit by the Crossroads Youth S.T.A.R. (Self-esteem through Arts and Recreation) Camp. Written for ages 5 to 9, and performed by young teens, Mystery of the Missing Book tells the story of Millie Mouse, who loses her favorite library book. Millie and her animal friends find clues in pursuit of locating the missing treasure.
Seashore's exhibit barns will be open for exploration, and all visitors are welcome on unlimited railway rides aboard the restored, historic streetcars (trolleys). Other activities for children will include a Scavenger Hunt with book prizes, a crafts table, and refreshments.
Seashore Trolley Museum has supported and hosted the Celebration since its inception. Dozens of museum and library volunteers work each year to make the Celebration exciting for the hundreds of children who attend.
The Southern Maine Library District is one of three Maine regional library districts. It includes 300 public, school, special, and academic library members in Cumberland, York and selected Oxford County towns. The Summer Reading Celebration was conceived to promote family literacy, reinforce a love of libraries and reading, and honor children who participate in summer reading programs. Public libraries throughout the country sponsor summer reading programs to emphasize reading for pleasure. Although many schools have required reading lists, summer is ideal for giving children time to immerse themselves in their favorite books, or find exciting new reading to enjoy. Involvement in summer reading programs helps facilitate that exploration.
Also see the Southern Maine Library District's website about the Summer Reading Celebration.
Photos by Phil Morse
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