Summer Stars returns for ’19
The school summer holidays are here, and that means that the Summer Stars Programme is back in Westmeath Libraries.
The cathaoirleach of Westmeath County Council, Cllr Paddy Hill, joined classes from Presentation NS and St Mary’s CBS to welcome author Dave Rudden for the launch of the Summer Stars Programme in Mullingar Library last week.
This was Cllr Hill’s inaugural event as cathaoirleach and he was delighted to meet the keen young readers and to encourage them to take part in Summer Stars.
As part of the launch, classes in Athlone, Mullingar, Castlepollard and Moate met Dave Rudden, author of the Knights of the Borrowed Dark Trilogy.
Dave has created a gripping series of books set in a supernatural world featuring 13-year-old Denizen Hardwick, who is short, red-haired, inquisitive and whose adventures are addictive.
Dave enthralled and entertained the classes and encouraged them to think about reading, writing and indulging in creative flights of fancy.
Summer Stars is the free national reading programme for children of all ages. It takes place in all 330 public libraries throughout the country this summer, until the end of August.
The reading adventure encourages children to read over their summer holidays, to enjoy the fun and pleasure of reading and participate in events and activities at their local libraries.
Children who participate receive a card to record the books they read and get recognition and encouragement for each step of their reading adventure.
The Summer Stars provides the whole family with an opportunity to explore the range of events and facilities available, including story time sessions, children’s activities, access to talking books and games, workshops, computers and internet access, and of course children’s books for all ages.
Reading during the summer helps children to maintain and improve their vocabulary and their reading and literacy skills.
Children are asked to register for the programme at their local libraries and pick up reading card.
Remember, there are no fines or fees when borrowing books from your library so drop in to Mullingar, Ballynacargy, Castlepollard, Kilbeggan, Killucan, Moate or Athlone and to find out more or visit www.westmeathcoco.ie/library.