Summer readers at the Fairfax Library walked and talked like pirates, learned some Morse Code, and created treasure maps with invisible ink made from lemon juice. Books read included “Treasure Hunter’s Handbook,” “Pirates – Scoundrels and Scallywags,” and part of “Treasure Island.”

Atchison County Library Summer Reading Program volunteers Tiffanie and Stevie Gaines read “Down, Down, Down,” “Rainbow Fish And The Sea Monster’s Cave,” and “The Nantucket Sea Monster: A Fake News Story” to the Rock Port attendees.

Mackenzie Dougherty leads the children in creating a message in a bottle at the Rock Port Summer Reading Program.

Waylon Blackman and Rylynn Comstock took part in a Pirate Challenge Obstacle Course at the Atchison County Library Summer Reading Program last week in Tarkio.

Atchison County Library Summer Reading Program welcomed certified scuba diver Todd Turner to the Tarkio Library’s session Thursday, June 30, 2022. Todd talked to the students about all the equipment needed to scuba dive. The kids also enjoyed scuba snacks and listened to the story “Pete The Cat: Scuba Cat.”

The Atchison County Library Summer Reading Program “Oceans of Possibilities” came to an end last week at all three branches. The students had a fantastic time learning about all the oceans have to offer through books and presentations and the library appreciates the many volunteers who brought this knowledge to the forefront of these young readers’ minds.

Rock Port

In Rock Port, Kaitlea Hastert assisted with the 3- and 4-year-old group and Amanda Vette led the 5- and 6-year-old group June 28. Both groups heard “Viking in Love” by Doug Cenko and “The Littlest Viking” by Alexandra Penfold. The 5- and 6-year-olds also heard “How to be a Viking” by Cressida Cowell. After story time, the 3- and 4-year-olds made tin foil viking hats, put together foam boats and played with Play-Doh. The 5- and 6-year-olds also created viking hats, made with gems and glittery decorations.

The final day of the Summer Reading Program in Rock Port, volunteers Tiffanie and Stevie Gaines shared the books “Down, Down, Down” by Steve Jenkins, “Rainbow Fish And The Sea Monster’s Cave” by Marcus Pfister, and “The Nantucket Sea Monster: A Fake News Story” by Darcy Pattison. Tiffanie led an experiment that helped teach the readers about ocean zones and worked with water, oil, and soap. In the second group, Mackenzie and Audrey Dougherty shared the stories of “One Cool Friend” by Toni Buzzeo and “Jangles: A Big Fish Story” by David Shannon. The children had fun creating artwork with animals, playing games and creating a “message in a bottle.” All children received books, prizes, reading certificates, necklace medal and a small stuffed toy. This year, everyone had fun with Oceans of Possibilities.

Tarkio

On the last day of the Summer Reading Program in Tarkio, the 5- and 6-year-olds (led by volunteer Brooke Walton) had boatloads of fun doing pirate activities and reading books about pirates. Young readers listened to “Pirates Don’t Change Diapers” by Melinda Long and “Henry And The Buccaneer Bunnies” by Carolyn Crimi. The children also had fun completing a Pirate Challenge Obstacle Course. We finished up by making a pirate ship craft. Each participant took home a small stuffed animal, book, reading certificate and medallion, pencil and notepad, and stickers. The second group (grades 1-5), led by Jayne Martin, welcomed a special guest for her last Oceans of Possibilities event. The Tarkio Branch Library hosted scuba diver Todd Turner from Bolckow, Missouri. Todd treated the children with information about scuba diving and brought equipment for them to see. The children also had scuba snacks and listened to the story “Pete The Cat: Scuba Cat.”

Fairfax

On the final day of the Summer Reading Program in Fairfax, the program was all about pirates! Book excerpts included “Treasure Hunter’s Handbook” by Liza Gardner Walsh, “Pirates – Scoundrels and Scallywags” by Madeline Donaldson, and “Pirates Most Wanted: 13 Of The Most Bloodthirsty Pirates Ever To Sail The High Seas” by John Matthews. They also completed reading aloud part one of “Treasure Island.” Readers walked and talked like pirates, learned some Morse Code, and made treasure maps with invisible ink made from lemon juice. The readers also received award necklaces, participation certificate, an ocean-themed book, and prizes.

The final session of the Summer Reading Program at Atchison County Library is in the books, but an Ocean of Possibilities still exists when you come in and check out materials at the library.