Calling all dreamers! Tiverton Library Services will kick off its six-week children's summer reading program with an interactive magic show that will inspire children to read and achieve their dreams.

Join professional magician Mat Franco on a fun-filled magical adventure at 10:30 a.m. on June 29 at the Knights of Columbus Hall, located at 28 Fish Road in Tiverton. The 45-minute show is free and designed for children ages 4-10. Children ages 3 and under may attend, but must be supervised during the show and remain seated in the chair section with their parents or caregivers. All parents and caregivers are asked to remain inside the hall during the program.

Franco's magic program has a powerful underlying message that encourages children to develop strong reading skills to help them identify
and follow their dreams. He uses magic as a tool to engage his audiences. Throughout the show some of the magical effects will exemplify how reading has played a role in Franco's own success in following his dream to be a professional magician.

Per fire code, 260 tickets are available to the show and will be distributed the morning of the show on a first-come, first-served basis after the doors open at 10 a.m. Please note, out of courtesy to our performers cell phone ringers must be turned off during programs.

Contact the library's children's department or click here for directions to the Knights Hall.

Summer Reading Program: Dream Big - READ!

Tiverton Library wants to encourage all children - babies, toddlers, pre-readers, preschoolers, students and home-schooled children up through grade 5 - to participate in its free sumemr reading program.

The program, Dream Big - READ!, runs from June 29 through August 8. Children are encouraged to read or listen to six chapter books or 36 picture books during this six-week program that will feature a special free children's even each week.

This summer children will explore the night through books and their imaginations via the Tiverton Library Services 2012 children’s summer reading club.

Who’s awake at night? Through ‘Facts & Fun sheets’ we’ll introduce a new nocturnal animal each week, one who’s awake while you are normally sleeping. These sheets will be available beginning on June 29. Click here for a list of suggested books.

Brochures on the remaining five free themed night programs sponsored by the Amica Companies Foundation are available at the library and after the magic show. All of the programs will take place at the Knights of Columbus Hall:

• MAD SCIENCE: Friday, July 13, 2012 at 10:30 a.m. Science is about Dreaming Big!  Albert Einstein, Steve Jobs and Benjamin Franklin are just a few of the famous who dreamed big.  Mad Science provides a fun filled “edu-taining” performance that will show how science can help you achieve your dreams! 
• ERIC FULFORD, Cartoonist: Wednesday, July 18, 2012 at 10:30 a.m. Do you like reading comic books? Would you like to help CREATE one?  Cartoonist Eric Fulford uses ideas from the audience to draw and tell the story of a brand new comic book hero!   All ages will enjoy the fun, comedy, cartoons, and creativity!
• SHAWN MIDDLETON, Storyteller: Friday, July 27, 2012 at 10:30 a.m. Shawn captivates his audience in this unique storytelling experience.  Stories are brought to life through finger puppets, sound effects, voice dramatization, rhythm, sign language, mime and Hip Hop dance. Audiences don’t just listen-they sing, clap, dance, chant and roar with laughter.
• JOHN TIERNEY & BURT THE RACCOON Puppet Show: Friday, August 3, 2012 at 10:30 a.m. This show is perhaps the funniest of all the one-man/raccoon puppet shows that you are likely to see in Rhode Island.  Life in the forest is explained through puppetry, storytelling, American Sign Language and incredible tree impersonations! Don't miss your chance to "shake hands" with a real raccoon puppet!  Interesting, informative and interactive!
• GREG COONEY, Musician: Wednesday, August 8, 2012 at 10:30 a.m. Join the musical fun with Greg Cooney as you learn about people who had BIG DREAMS that changed the world. Reach into the "Think Tank" and explore some of the great things that came from the dreams of people like Clara Burton, Thomas Edison, Steven Spielberg, and Martin Luther King. A musical delight! This 45-minute show will be followed by an awards ceremony to celebrate the conclusion of the summer reading program.

There will be two segments of our “Dream Big-READ!” program: pre-readers join the Read-to-Me portion of our program, and readers join our Independent Reader portion of the program.

Reading Records will be kept at the library and book logs will be available for home use. A guessing contest, free weekly reading incentive prizes, free or reduced rate coupons to local attractions, and more will all be available at Essex Public Library this summer.

Register now through July 31 at Essex Public Library, 238 Highland Road, Tiverton or call to register at 401-625-6796 ext. 14. There will also be opportunities to register before and after Friday's magic show kickoff event.

The Essex Public Library would like to extend a special thanks to the sponsors and donors who make this program possible: Amica Companies
Foundation, Rhode Island Office of Library and Information Services, the Institute of Museum and Library Services, The Friends of Tiverton Libraries, Tiverton Library Services, Knights of Columbus, Pawtucket Red Sox, Citizens Bank, Pepsi, Gray’s Ice Cream and Subway Sandwich, Mariano Bishop Blvd., Fall River, MA.

For more information on children's services available through the Essex Publix Library, please call Janet Kosinski-Linhares of the Children’s Services Department at 401-625-6796 ext. 14.