RUMFORD – The theme of Rumford Public Library’s summer reading program, “Dragons, Dreams and Daring Deeds,” encourages the exploration of fantasy lands, or any other place the reader wants to go.

The program, which will run from Sunday, June 26, through Saturday, July 23, is a major component of the annual Summer Fest event.

The program is designed not only for children who are independent readers, but also for children who have books read to them by parents, grandparents, siblings or caregivers. All children from preschool through age 14 are invited to participate.

Research has shown that reading during the summer helps children maintain and enhance their reading and comprehension skills and vocabulary.

Younger children develop a positive, enthusiastic attitude toward learning to read when they are read to regularly.

Children are to read at least five days a week, for a length of time determined by the child’s age.

Books read must be from the Children’s Room and should be appropriate to the child’s age and reading level.

Each week that a child meets the reading goal, she/he will receive a sandwich coupon. Those who meet the reading goal all four weeks will receive a certificate good for an ice cream treat and a half-day pass to a Bethel park.

Those meeting the goal in either of the first two weeks will qualify for a ticket voucher for the Sea Dogs baseball game on Sunday, Aug. 14. Old Fort Western in Augusta will admit summer reading program participants and their immediate family free when they present verification from their library.

Visit the Web at www.oldfortwestern.org to see the summer schedule.

Readers are invited to attend the second annual Summer Reading Celebration, “Ride the Rails to Reading,” coordinated by the Central Maine Library District.

The event will be held on Friday, Aug. 19, at the Boothbay Railway Village on Route 27 in Boothbay.

This year’s four-week schedule of daily Summer Fest events will begin on Tuesday, July 5, and continues through Friday, July 29. The program is open free to all area youngsters.

It includes magic, crafts, dancing, Picnic in the Park story times, theatrical productions, a pet show and other activities. Special people from the community will share their talents and interests with the children for an hour of enrichment.

Summer reading logs with full details are available in the Children’s Room.

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