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Schools

Children's Reading Rewarded with 'Bubblemania'

Ferguson Library hosted "Bubblemania" at the Palace Theater Saturday morning to reward the children involved in their summer reading program.

Nearly 1,400 children received invitations from to attend “Bubblemania” at the Saturday morning. The event, performed by Connecticut-based “bubble-ologist” Casey Carle, rewarded children who partook in the library’s .

The children, who ranged in ages from birth through sixth grade, had to read a minimum of five books to be invited to the show. This summer, the library launched its book club online for the first time and allowed students to log the books they read, or for younger children, books their parents read to them.

Carle, a comedian who performs tricks with bubbles, was last invited three years ago to host this same event for the library. He’s been featured on the Science Channel and Discovery Channel and performed with Cirque du Soleil and Ringling Brothers Circus.

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Carle captivated the crowd demonstrating tricks with different kinds of bubble wands while teaching the children the science behind them.

“The bubble thing has such wide appeal,” said Lynn McKay, a librarian at Ferguson's Main Branch. “It’s really something for the whole family to enjoy.”

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The children’s book club them this year was “One World, Many Stories,” although according to McKay, the children are free to read any book that is age and reading ability appropriate.

The ultimate goal is to encourage students to continue reading throughout the summer. While the library does have events throughout the summer to encourage reading discussions, the book club is free to join and could be done independently online.

The library generated a suggested reading list for each grade level in cooperation with the . Likewise, teens had a separate book club and their event was held Friday evening at the library. The library closed down for the teen’s private party, which included food, a movie and a raffle for a Nook Color e-reader.

Although summer is nearing the end, Nancy Platt, a librarian at the Main Branch, says there is still time for children to get involved.

“You can join anytime,” said Platt. “There’s no fee involved and they can still come to the library to receive their incentive prizes, which include a free book.”

To learn more, visit www.fergusonlibrary.org.

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