Raymondale Little Library Sunday Afternoon!

Raymondale's first Summer Reading Kickoff at the Little Free Library was a big success. About 30 neighbors wandered through, browsing through 200+ free books for all ages and tastes, dropping off a few more, sipping lemonade and talking over their favorite books and recent reads. Kids jumped on the trampoline, nabbed cookies or just enjoyed reading in one of the chairs set up the shade of a sprawling apple tree. Adult books ranged from  literary prize winners to bestsellers, from anthologies  to cookbooks, from timeless classics to out-of-print titles that evoke a different era. Many thanks to Nicole and Tony Britton for hosting the event -- and most especially for starting the Little Library and keeping it well stocked 24/7 with interesting titles! 

And please browse the list of Online Resources (after the photos) kindly provided by Nicole Britton to help your little readers with summer reading programs! Happy Summer! Happy Reading!

online resources

summer reading Programs

FCPS Book Your Summer  Program

                  http://fcps.edu/is/book/

Fairfax County Library’s Summer Reading Program

                  http://www.fairfaxcounty.gov/library/srp/

Scholastic’s Summer Reading Challenge

http://www.scholastic.com/ups/campaigns/src-2016

Barnes & Noble’s Summer Reading Triathlon

                  http://www.barnesandnoble.com/b/summer-reading/_/N-rs9

Pizza Hut’s BOOK IT! Summer Reading Program

                  http://www.bookitprogram.com/summer/default.asp

Book Lists & other resources

PBS Kids Summer Adventure

                  http://www.pbs.org/parents/summer/

Reading Is Fundamental’s Free E-Books                                                    

                  http://www.rif.org/50ebooks/

Association for Library Service to Children- 2016 Summer Reading Lists

                  http://www.ala.org/alsc/2016-summer-reading-list

Reading Rockets Summer Book List

http://www.readingrockets.org/articles/books/c349

National Endowment for the Humanities Non-Fiction Book List

http://www.neh.gov/news/nonfiction-favorites

Start with a Book

                  http://www.startwithabook.org/

Library of Congress Family Activities

                  https://www.loc.gov/visit/activities-for-kids-and-families/

School's Out! Annual Homework Burn Highlights!

THANK YOU to the Wroblewskis who offered up their driveway and lots of hospitality to host the Annual Homework Burn! About 20 kids and 40 people attended, and we lucked out on the weather (not too hot not too rainy not too muggy). The kids pulled apart  their notebooks and balled up their worksheets with admirable focus and determination - so much so that a second fire pit soon became necessary! The Wroblewskis kept the hot dogs and marshmallows coming. All the kids had a great time stoking the fires and then playing games such as sharks and minnows. Ages from kindergarten through 9th graders - (or dare we call them rising first graders to rising sophomores?  not till September thank you very much!)

The next fun thing is right around the corner - Summer Reading Kick-off Sunday afternoon at the Little Free Library in st James place - tables of free books for kids and adults, so bring a book to swap or come empty handed - either way you are sure to find a good free read :)

Here are lots of fun photos of the Homework Burn!