TURN OVER A NEW LEAF -- READ

Looking for something good to do this summer? Try this: Pick up a new (or your favorite) book, find a comfortable spot, and spend some time reading.

Studies show that children who read over the summer have better retention of literacy skills and larger vocabularies than children who don't read during summer vacation. Besides being a good skill builder, reading also can be fun and introduce students to worlds they might never imagine otherwise.

"With a book, whenever you're reading you're thinking, and it's a very good experience," said Lynn Farrow, children's librarian at the Riverside Regional Library in Jackson.

To encourage reading outside of school, Missouri libraries sponsor summer reading programs for children of all ages . The theme for this year's program is "Turn Over a New Leaf -- Read."

Children participating in the programs receive rewards whenever they reach milestones for reading a specific number of minutes. At the end of the summer, most libraries provide grand prizes for children who have read the most minutes.

The Cape Girardeau Public Library and all six branches of the Riverside Regional Library are providing free summer reading programs this year. In addition to participation in the reading program, children can attend free programs featuring arts and crafts, guest readers and other presentations throughout the summer.

The Cape Girardeau Civic Center, which houses a branch of the Cape Girardeau library, has incorporated the reading program into daily activities at its summer camp. Some 70 children ages 5 to 15 at the camp are required to read a minimum of 15 minutes daily.

"We're doing this because we believe children read best when there is no interruption during the summer," said Harry Schuler, interim director at the Civic Center. "Because we do have a librarian who comes and works in our library throughout the week, we see this as a wonderful opportunity for children attending our camp."

Children also are encouraged to read with family members as often as possible. There are many benefits for children and parents when they spend time together.

"One of the most important things is not only are children learning, but parents are to," Farrow said. "It's quality time."

Over the years, Farrow has found children of various ages gravitate to specific interest areas. Young children enjoy books with beautiful pictures and simple text, while older children are more apt to read mysteries, chapter books and serials like the popular "Babysitters Club" and "Goosebumps" books. Young adults enjoy broader interests and may begin reading adult fiction and westerns. This summer, books about dinosaurs have been especially popular.

"I don't think there's much that they're not reading," said Farrow. "They read nonfiction and they read biographies, too. It just depends on the children."

SUMMER PROGRAM SCHEDULE

Riverside Regional Library at Jackson

Youth schedule of summer programs

TODAY, 9:30 a.m. Missouri Conservation

July 7, 5 p.m. Family Night

July 11, 9:30 a.m. Movie Day

July 18, 9:30 a.m. Cape County Sheriff's Department

Riverside Regional Library

Young adult schedule of summer programs

Ages 9-14 Limit of 25 participants

July 8, 1-3 p.m. Computers

July 15, 1-3 p.m. Pizza Party