Summer Reading Program

"Imagine your Story"

This summer the library is promoting reading and nature. We are encouraging all children and families to get outside more and to read more. There will be prizes for all young people who do 3 things for 10 days (you may do this multiple times for more prizes).

1. Read a book (youngsters can be read to), or a chapter each day, or share a book with someone (your dog, cat, grandma, tree or anyone else). How to get a book from the library:  http://opac.libraryworld.com/opac/signin.php

Enter: Harrisville (no password needed).

-When you see an item in the catalog that you would like, please call (603-827-2918) or email Harrisville Library  to reserve it and have it checked out to you.

2. Do a nature activity each day. These can be from the list or you can create your own.

3. Keep a nature and reading journal. Write down the date, what you read and what you did outside, add a picture if you want to. After you complete 10 days (you may skip days if you want to) email a picture of your journal page or write to the library at our email Harrisville Library . Please include your mailing address and age. We let you know how to get your prize.

Nature Activities (at least 15 minutes each or more if you are really having fun!):

1. Go outdoors and decorate your nature journal.

2. Forest bathing: Quietly walk or sit in the outdoors and listen and watch.

3. Take off your shoes and feel the ground under your feet.

4. Lay on the ground and watch the clouds.

5. Eat a meal outdoors.

6. Gather treasures and build a nature sculpture. You could use acorns, leaves, rocks and more.

7. Lay on your belly and focus on the ground. What do you see?

8. Go on a litter clean up walk.

9. Find a seed pod and a stick and examine them.

10. Lift up a rock and see what is underneath.

11. Help a neighbor by performing an outdoor chore for them.

12. Go birding: see how many feathered friends you can see.

13. Go outside and see how many different trees you can find.

14. Plant some seeds in a garden or a pot.

15. Go for a hike or nature walk.

16. Look at the stars.

17. Make a mud pie.

18. Sit next to a tree and feel it’s aliveness.

19. Climb a tree.

20. Paint or draw a picture of a plant.

21. Build a fairy house.

22. Find some water and watch it.

“Nature-deficit disorder describes the human costs of alienation from nature, among them: diminished use of the senses, attention difficulties, and higher rates of physical and emotional illness. This disorder can be detected in individuals, families, and communities.”
― Richard Louv , Last Child in the Woods: Saving Our Children from Nature-Deficit Disorder

This is a fairy house.

Here are Tansy. Phlox and grassy. Tansy is the one with a sense of humor and the leader of the group. Phlox  is just a well-meaning stick and grass he is shy and unassuming. I am going to have these characters show up and more weekly postings.