Every Hero Has a Story

Posted on June 16, 2015 at 6:00 am

By Gwendolyn Haley

There’s something about reading during the summer that’s just magical as a child. I remember one year, I spent an entire day in my treehouse with my friend Darcie. We had snacks and the complete Anne of Green Gables series. We must have read for over 10 hours; ok, maybe it wasn’t quite that long, but we definitely read until the sun went down. I think a big part of the allure was the freedom to choose whatever books I wanted to read with no assignments to complete. That same summer, I checked out every field guide to local wildflowers I could find in the North Spokane Library so that I could identify the massive collection that I was gathering and pressing between the pages of our World Book Encyclopedias.

At Spokane County Library District, we want all kids and kids-at-heart to have that same experience. This summer, we have a whole series of programs centered on the theme “Every Hero Has a Story.”

We’ll kick off the summer with a cardboard car drive-in movie on June 17 and 19. Need a car for the drive-in? We’ll provide the cardboard and other supplies so you can build the car of your dreams, and then watch that fabulous family of heroes, The Incredibles. Starting on June 22, we have seven weeks of programs to engage, inspire, and entertain children in grades K-5. Program presenters include the Knights of Veritas, musicians, and puppeteers, along with science programs hosted by local partners West Valley Outdoor Learning Center and Mobius Science Center.

We’ve also planned special programs throughout the summer, including a Late Night at the Library programs for kids in grades 3-5. Ever wonder what really happens at the library after everyone goes home? This is your chance to find out. For fans of that galaxy “far, far away”, our friends from the Havoc Squad will be here on August 10 to celebrate all things Star Wars.

Teens and tweens can try their hands at drawing comics, or recycling comic books into fabulous new creations, and even creating the perfect costume to cosplay their favorite fandom. We’ve supersized some favorite games for one event, and we’ll help turn a sandwich from a zero to a hero in another. Spokane Valley Library will host Lights Out at the Library for teens in grades 9-12, which includes a showing of the hit movie Guardians of the Galaxy, crafts inspired by favorite fandoms, and life-sized Clue.

Summer is the time to engage with your passions and learn something new—no matter what your age. As a parent, I know that encouraging my kids to spend the summer reading not only keeps them entertained, but also sets them up for a successful school year next fall. What turns a non-reader into a reader? Finding a book that they love. The library can help.

Tags: community, events, kids, teens, tweens, young learners