Read Like An Animal This Summer!
“Tails & Tales” 2021 Summer Reading Program
Summer 2021 at the library isn’t quite what Summer 2019 was, with big inside events and crowded buildings, but fortunately, neither is it exactly like Summer 2020!
One big difference this year: The Tulsa City-County Library begins a more robust Summer Reading Program for all ages beginning June 1and ending July 31.
Coupon books are back! Medals! Grand prizes! And READING, of course!
Summer Reading Program in a Nutshell
- “Tails & Tales” is the theme (animals!)
- June 1 – 31
- Four program categories: 1. Littles; 2. Children; 3. Tween/Teen; 4. Adult
- Register at tulsalibrary.beanstack.org or at any of the 24 branch libraries
- Read eight books (Littles and Children’s), six books (Tween/Teen), or four books (Adult) to complete
- Littles and Children earn a commemorative medal and coupon book for completing and are entered to win grand prizes
- Tweens/Teens and Adults earn coupon books and are entered to win a variety of grand prizes
- Be sure to pick up an SRP Event & Activity guide at any library: This expanded guide includes activities to do at home, a special magazine section with articles for school-aged children, coloring pages, bingo cards, and more!
- Learn more at tulsalibrary.org/summer
Awesome Animal Books, Part 1: Littles (Birth – PreK)
Reading about animals with your Littles can run the gamut from complex picture books with wide-ranging stories and characters to simple board books, like three of my favorites focusing on animal body parts. Help your babies and young children in an animal guessing game with the books “Feet,” “Noses” and “Tails.”
Awesome Animal Books, Part 2: Children’s Fiction
Every year, the Association for Library Service to Children (ALSC, www.ala.org) creates summer book lists for children. Here are some of my favorite ALSC entries for 2021 (descriptions by ALSC):
“Baloney and Friends” by Greg Pizzoli
This funny graphic novel for beginning readers stars Baloney the pig alongside his friends Bizz (a bee), Peanut (a horse), and Krabbit (a very cranky rabbit).
“Milo Imagines the World” by Matt de la Peña and illustrated by Christian Robinson
While on the subway, Milo imagines different stories for the people he sees, but he soon realizes you can’t tell who people really are just by their appearance.
“Skunk and Badger” by Amy Timberlake, illustrated by Jon Klassen
No one wants a skunk as a roommate, but Badger doesn’t have a choice. His quiet, solitary life is turned upside down by cheery Skunk in this odd-couple tale of friendship.
Awesome Animal Books, Part 3: Children’s Nonfiction
Stories are awesome, but nonfiction books that give children FACTS about the world deserve your child’s attention. Finding these books in the library is as easy as going to the 591s in the Juvenile Nonfiction section (just ask your friendly local librarian). If you’re searching online, use the keywords “Animals – Juvenile Literature” for tons of great books.
A few to get you started:
“Cuddly Critters for Little Geniuses” by Sue and James Patterson
That’s right – your favorite adult suspense writer has been on a crusade to get kids to read, and this adorable book identifies lesser-known animals like the pink fairy armadillo and parrotfish and explains why they are worth learning more about.
“Play Like an Animal! Why Critters Splash, Race, Twirl, and Chase” by Maria Gianferrari
Figuring out how animals play is endlessly fascinating, whether it’s splashing, dashing, or hiding! This will be sure to inspire outdoor play of all animal kinds in your children this summer.
“Can We Be Friends? Unexpected Animal Friendships Around the World” by Erica Sirotich
Unlikely animal friendships is one of my top go-to YouTube searches, but this book gathers five especially interesting animal friendships from around the world that will pique your child’s curiosity and have them wanting to learn more.
