Published July 1, 2021

NORTH READING — The Flint Memorial Library’s summer reading program, Tails & Tales, is off to a successful start following the first in-person library event held in over a year. More than 225 children, parents and caregivers attended the kickoff party on June 21, enjoying Popsicles at the Ipswich River Park gazebo on a sunny morning while Ed the Wizard taught attendees how to make balloon animals.

Ed the Wizard made special balloon creatures just for the kids, magically transforming balloons into many puppies, bunnies, butterflies and dragons.

ED THE WIZARD (at far left under gazebo) creates balloon animals for dozens of kids at Ipswich River Park during the Summer Reading kickoff party. (Danielle Masterson Photo)

Coming up on Wednesday, July 7 at 10 a.m. is the next in-person Summer Reading event, Animal Adventures. Tails & Tales will celebrate animals and their stories during this special exotic animal program.

FRIENDS OF THE LIBRARY member Pat McKenna takes a break from the heat while volunteering at the event. (Danielle Masterson Photo)

Participants will join an Animal Adventures zookeeper and eight to 10 exotic animal friends. This one-hour program will also feature an African Bush Baby! Children will learn about, pet and see a variety of animals. This event will be held at Ipswich River Park. In case of inclement weather, this event will be held on Wednesday, July 14 at 10 a.m.

Register books read on

Beanstack

So far, after one week, 236 participants have registered for summer reading. Early registrants Cailey Bythrow, Brantley Rosenthal and Patrick Higgins won Tails & Tales T-shirts courtesy of the Massachusetts Library System. To register for both Tails & Tales, and the state-wide Boston Bruins reading challenge, visit the library’s website at flintmemoriallibrary.org/summer-reading.

Summer reading is being offered to all ages this year; you’re not too old to take part! For every day that you read or are read to by a parent or caregiver, and enter your reading on Beanstack, participants from newborns to 18 will receive an entry for a weekly prize pack giveaway. The library will give away 10 prize packs each week until August 13. Participants may only win once. The more you read, the more entries you receive, which will carry over throughout the program.

JOANNE GIBSON and her daughters, Anna and Charlotte Gaillard (background) were kept busy handing out Popsicles to over 225 guests attending the library’s Summer Reading kickoff party. (Danielle Masterson Photo)

The library is also eligible to win Boston Bruins prizes such as in-game experiences, signed pucks, signed sticks and signed jerseys. All ages count for the Bruins program. Participants may take part in both programs, but they only need to log their reading once on Beanstack.

The Summer Reading Program is sponsored by several local businesses: Bark n’ Roll, Beacon Hill Staffing Group, Pampered Chef (Kristen Russell), Park Street Veterinary Clinic, Paws at the Park, Royal Air Systems, Scotty’s Tire, Urban Air Adventure Park and Wunderlich-Malec.

The Friends of the Flint Memorial Library, North Reading Cultural Council, federal Institute of Museum and Library Services, Massachusetts Board of Library Commissioners, Massachusetts Library System, Boston Bruins (NHL) and Boston Pride (NWHL) are also sponsoring summer library events and programming.

For more information on the program, visit flintmemoriallibrary.org/summer-reading or call 978-664-4942 ext. 3. Participants may sign up at any time during the summer either in-person or online, but they must log their reading on Beanstack to be eligible to win prizes.