4th-, 5th- & 6th-graders Winners1ST: Taylor Sonnier, 112ND: Kylie Musumeche, 123RD: Justin Clay, 10HM: Mikayla Ward, 10 &Kailee Sandburg, 12

Summer reading rocks at home or on the go.

‘June is busting out all over,’ the Rogers and Hammerstein song from “Carousel,” certainly applies to the Iberia Parish Library’s summer workshops. “Read to the Rhythm” is this year’s theme which will kickoff on Wednesday with a carnival of games, crafts, music and storytelling.

In fact all Teche Area libraries are geared up and ready to provide children with summer activities.

To introduce the theme for the 32nd annual summer reading and workshop program, Iberia Parish Library engaged 893 children competing in the 17th annual bookmark contest.

“Judging was very difficult because there were so many excellent submissions,” library director Kathy Miles said. “The quality of work was astounding. It came down to the ones we felt had a clear adhering to the rules.”

The first place winners in each of four categories will have their bookmark artwork given away throughout the summer. Color reproductions were made by Sir Speedy Acadiana. Dee Strother, production specialist, was among the judges which also included Miles and Vicky Branton, Teche Life editor for The Daily Iberian.

“I loved it (judging),” said Strother, “It was fascinating to see the talent at such young ages. I was surprised at how well the younger ones did.”

First, second and third place as well as two honorable mentions were selected in each category evaluated by theme, originality and design.

Summer Workshops Filled Fast

“This year’s registration had us busting at the seams,” said Sami S. Haggood, summer workshop coordinator for Iberia Parish Libraries. “We had 453 young people sign up for 29 workshops running June 4 through July 17. It’s going to be a great summer.”

The official Summer Kickoff Carnival will be Wednesday at the Main branch beginning at 9:30 a.m. Children will play games, make craft musical instruments based on the “Read to the Rhythm” theme. Sarah Boatman, the children’s librarian will present awards to the winning bookmark artist and at 10:30 a.m. Roger Day, a children’s guitar playing storyteller, will entertain.

“We try to provide free fun activities for kids throughout the summer,” said Boatman. “Nature related, crafts, technology, we’re lucky to have so many people willing to volunteer to teach.”

Children ages 5 to 17 will enjoy a wide variety of workshops including canoeing. Teche Project will provide canoes and instruction for 16 children taking the class.

Stage combat, mad scientist, watercolor pillow case art and even fishing are among the listed events.

Haggood said the most popular and quickest to fill up with both boys and girls was the “Lego Masters” workshop. Different than the monthly forum that takes place all year, these two groups will actually compete with their creations. Haggood said although the regular session is popular, this workshop includes a number of first-time participants.

The Princess Parade was a favorite but not as much as “Sweets and Treats” where 5- to 8-year-olds will decorate cupcakes and brownies in a cup.

Number three on the list by popularity with 9- to 15-year-old boys and girls, was “Primp and Pamper.” Haggood said a licensed esthetician, on staff and a summer volunteer, will be teaching children about good hygiene while they make the fun mixtures. Participants will create “Sugar Scrubs” and “Bath Bombs” made with essential oils and other ingredients to make the skin smooth and fragrant.

“The Pizza … Easy as Pie” filled both the 7- to 9-year-old and 10- to 12-year-old classes. Haggood said there will be 20 children in each group.

The biggest surprise, exciting for all the organizers, said Haggood, is new this year, “Kid’s Farmers’ Market.”

Seventy children from 5 to 17 years of age will create a flash market set up inside the St. Peter branch library. BestLife Iberia is the sponsor of the event and donated everything for the children to build and run their own regular market.

Child-buyers will have BestLife Bucks to spend on purchases, watch cooking demonstrations put on by LSUAg Center. The New Iberia Recreation Department Fitness will have exercises for anyone who hasn’t dropped from the shopping.

“Without the help of our sponsors, the many skilled volunteers, we would not be able to offer these fun activities,” said Haggood. “New Iberia Optimist Club has supported our efforts for all 32 years. This year Community First Bank, Cox Communications and Friends of the Library, as well as others sponsoring specific things, have made it all possible.”

Still Time to Play

Early registration ended in May, but for parents and children who would like to take part in the summer reading program, Haggood said several events are planned this week to kickoff the program and everyone is invited.

Yo-yo expert Matthew Noel will be performing stunts, juggling and magic, Haggood said. Monday Noel will be at the Lydia branch at 10:30 a.m., Loreauville at 2:30 p.m. and Parkview at 6:30 p.m. Tuesday he will be in Jeanerette at 10:30 a.m. and at 2:30 p.m. Coteau.

For more information on the schedule of events, visit www.iberia.lib.la.us.

Reading for All Ages

St. Mary Parish and St. Martin Parish Libraries are sharing the same themes for its summer reading programs which also begin Monday.

Themes this year include “Every Hero Has A Story” intended for children and “Unmask” for young adults. “Escape The Ordinary” is for adult readers. Monday will be the first day to check out books that will count towards summer reading minutes.

St. Mary Parish

The St. Mary Parish Library begins their program at 10 a.m. Monday. Registration ends at 4 p.m. and is allowed at only one branch, however, other activities at the branches are open to the public.

“Our goal is to increase reading,” said Connie Durocher, branch manager in Franklin. “Therefore, we’re doing things a little differently this year. Readers will need to turn in at least the minimum of 600 minutes or more, that’s just 20 minutes per day. We encourage you to set higher goals to place as a reading winner.”

For a finale, from 6 to 8 p.m. July 16, Durocher said only invited readers will be treated to a “Pizza Extravaganza” featuring final awards, prizes, treats and games. To obtain an invitation, she said, simply read and turn in at least the minimum of 600 minutes.

For specific schedules, visit www.stmarylibrary.

St. Martin Parish

Summer Kick-off for St. Martinville Branch Library is 2 p.m. Monday. The series of workshops runs from June 9 through July 10 and includes “Who’s Your Hero,” a family genealogy workshop, “Play Some Guitar Hero” and “Draw Your Own Comic Strip” for teens and tweens. “Canvas with a Twist” is for adults.

A full schedule of activities can be found at www.stmartinparishlibrary.org

An “End-of-the-Summer Celebration” will be held July 15. Acadiana Center for the Arts and the Louisiana Division of the Arts helped provide funding.

The public is invited to all movie and summer entertainment, no registration is required.

Performances in both St. Mary and St. Martin libraries will include Daveed Korup, Rhythm N Soul, Roger Day, Ken Waldham, Matthew Noel, Matt Sandbank and a two-part workshop with Trish Ransom, a debris artist.