Splat!
As soon as the 10th water balloon burst during a face-off between D.J. Belcher and Jared Saylor, both took off in a run to request yet another balloon from the waiting attendant.
"I'm just playing for fun," said Belcher, 8, as he scampered after a balloon tossed by his friend. The two tossed more than a dozen balloons in total before opting to accept a couple of tickets each as prizes for participating.
Saylor, 7, flashed a snaggle-toothed grin as he considered his ticket stash won from trying assorted carnival games. "I'm going to do something with them, but I don't know what," he said.
The duo were among several hundred children and parents who attended the Summer Reading Program Kickoff Carnival held at the Cape Girardeau Public Library Saturday. The annual carnival gives children a chance to enjoy games and win tickets for prizes while their parents register them in one of two reading programs.
The original program promotes literacy among children in preschool through fifth grades using the theme "Turn Over a New Leaf -- Read." Children are given a game board to mark each 15-minute reading period. Once they reach any of three milestones, they receive gift certificates from area restaurants. Those who achieve the goal of 900 minutes of reading before Aug. 4 receive a free book, certificate, and chance to win one of four bicycles donated for the program.
A similar program is planned for students in sixth grade or older. Older readers will play library bingo, reading books from different categories to make a bingo. After each bingo, the child earns a video rental and other special prizes. Donations are still being sought for older readers who achieve reading goals.
In addition to the reading incentives, the library has a series of story times, craft programs and lectures scheduled throughout the summer.
"It's something fun to do for the summer," said Ann Reynolds, youth services coordinator at the library. "We want them to know reading is fun, too."
Reynolds said numerous studies have proven that reading during the summer benefits students the following school year. Students in the program develop a love of reading and retain literacy skills better than those who don't read at home.
"It keeps your mind exercised, and you're more likely to remember things during school," she said.
Catlin, 9, participated in the program last year. She said she liked the rewards she received for reading, but her brother Caleb, 7, thought the annual water balloon toss was the best part of the program.
Parents may register their children in the program through the end of July. The grand prize drawings will be held Aug. 4 following a presentation by the World Bird Sanctuary of St. Louis.
The program is supported by the Friends of the Library, the YELL Foundation, the VFW and VFW Ladies Auxiliary, and the United Commercial Travelers. In all, more than 1,200 children up to age 18 are expected to participate.
Tamara Zellars Buck may becontacted at 335-6611, ext. 128 or by e-mail at tbuck@semissourian.com.
Connect with the Southeast Missourian Newsroom:
For corrections to this story or other insights for the editor, click here. To submit a letter to the editor, click here. To learn about the Southeast Missourian’s AI Policy, click here.