People of all ages are invited to pop into Marvin Auditorium, cozy up with a book and record time. We will be adding up all of the time recorded – every minute matters. Each participant may take one book home to keep (while supplies last). We will also have random prizes drawings.

Cozy spots will be set up for independent reading. You may also read to a furry friend; the R.E.A.D. dogs will be here for part of the afternoon. Being read to also counts.

Preschool storytimes will be held at 12:30pm and 4:30pm.

Got a tween in the family? Bring ‘em by at 1:30pm and 3:30pm to listen to age-appropriate stories.

And at 2:30 adults and others will be taken on an outer-space voyage as they listen to a selection from The Hitchhikers’ Guide to the Galaxy.

This event is cosponsored by The Library Foundation, The Chandler Booktique, operated by the Friends of the Library, and Discovery Furniture

Pick up a backpack time tracker at any bookmobile or at the library’s Youth Services desk (starting Sept. 20) to get your child started. Track hours read through Nov. 13. When kids reach 8 hours read, come to the library to claim a free book, bookmark and Arby’s coupon. For pre-readers, having someone read to them counts toward the reading goal too.

Each week, our librarians will make recommendations to go along with this year’s theme of “Read Beyond.” Make sure to make frequent visits to our Kids Library. But you can read whatever you want, even a magazine or a web page can count. Psst, hey parents, homework can count too, in case you need to give your little one some motivation.

Sign up and read with us as we explore a new genre each week:

Week 1 is historical fiction. We suggest reading Wichita author Clare Vanderpool‘s Moon Over Manifest. It is only one of the many good books in our collection that take place sometime in history.
Week 2 is sports fiction. Read a book about your favorite sport. While you are in the sporting mood, sign up junior for Mother Goose Games on Sept. 27 and 28. (Program limited to children 3-5 years and their parent or caregiver. Call 785-580-4565.)
Week 3 is science fiction and you can travel to other worlds with a variety of sci-fi books from our shelves.
Week 4 is graphic novels. Have you read any of the children’s graphic novels? I am reading a Hardy Boys book. Kids grades 1-3 may sign up for How to Make a Graphic Novel on Oct. 12. (Space is limited)
Week 5 is non-fiction. In addition to reading and learning about something that you enjoy from real life, how about signing up for Crazy Extreme Science on Oct. 17 for some real messy science experiments.
Week 6 is mystery. Pick a safe cozy place and read until you know “who done-it,” and if you like being scared come celebrate your Halloween at the library. We got treats, and maybe a few tricks.
Week 7 is animals. What is your favorite animal? I bet we have books about them. Come meet real animals at Zoo Animals Live on Nov. 3.
Week 8 is fantasy. Tamora Pierce is my favorite fantasy author. Do you like to read about magic and dragons, fairies and elves? Who doesn’t!?

Stop in at the library to tell me what books you read this fall and which one was your favorite. Or leave a comment below. We love hearing from you.

There is a special wacky Preschool Storytime from 10:00 to 10:45 for children ages 3-5 in the Story Zone. I will read some of my favorite Dr. Seuss books, and we’ll do some fun activities.

At 4:00 in the Story Zone, I will be reading some of his books for an older audience as we have a special After School program for children in grades K through 3. There will be activities there as well as some books that make me laugh and tie my tongue in a knot.

At 6:30 in the Story Zone will be Sing, Move and Learn. This program for 3-5 year olds will be about silly stories Dr. Seuss would have liked and can be registered for at ERC 785.357.5171.

The group from Sing, Move and Learn will march to the Marvin Auditorium at 7:00 where you can  join them and other friends of Dr. Seuss for a Party to celebrate reading. Come for games and crafts until 7:30. (Maybe you can sing happy birthday to me too?)

Dr. Seuss has created some of my all-time favorite book characters – after all big-hearted Horton Hatches an Egg, staying faithful 100 percent, and saves Whoville.

The Cat in the Hat causes trouble while mom is out, and Poor Bartholomew must knock off his hat, or they might knock off his head.

That Sam I Am seems like a pest at first, but I come to like him as well as Green Eggs and Ham.

The Lorax will protect my beautiful trees. And at the end the Grinch isn’t such a bad guy.

Have you read about Thidwick the moose and his troubles? Or listened to the noises of Gerald McBoing Boing? Who are your favorite Dr. Seuss’ characters? Leave your comment below or come tell me in person at our Read Across American event, celebrating Seuss’ birthday, March 2.

Many of our Seuss books are published en espanõl too.

We’re hosting four Read Across America events.