It’s hard to believe that tomorrow (June 21) is only the first day of summer. With the high heat in the early part of the month, it seems like it’s been summer for awhile.  But tomorrow’s date is a good reminder that we have plenty of time left to enjoy the rest of the summer. Summertime to me has always been a welcomed chance to catch up on my reading. With the long days stretching ahead, you can encourage your children to pick up a book to read. Now that they are not in school, they can have their choice of what to read: graphic novels, chapter books, magazines, biographies, whatever strikes their fancy. Our local libraries have additional summertime opportunities to expose children to new books and activities. Blount County Public Library is showcasing “Starship Adventure @ Your Library” for its Children’s Summer Reading Program. Check out the library’s web site for a list of events. Knox County Public Library also has a number of activities that are built around this theme. 

If your gas tank is running on empty, this is a great way to transport kids to other lands and other adventures without having to spend a fortune. It also has the added bonus of keeping reading skills in tune and further developing them for the upcoming school year. 

You can also encourage your kids by picking up a book to read yourself. For the first time, the Blount County Public Library has an adult reading program this summer. You can check out what the new program is all about on their web site. It’s easy: you just sign up and then start reading!

So now that summer is officially underway, find a shade tree and a good book and take a trip to another place and time. Happy reading!