LEWISTON – The Lewiston Public Library will begin registering children for its summer reading game on Monday, June 19.

The state theme is “Paws, Claws, Scales and Tales,” and two live animal programs will be presented by the Chewonki Foundation on Thursday, June 22, at the library. At 9:30 a.m., “Fur, Feathers and Feet” will use a discovery lesson to teach the differences and similarities between birds and mammals.

At 11 a.m. “Predators!” will dispel commonly held myths about predators and their roles in nature. Both events use live animals and are free, but require tickets, which may be picked up in the children’s room.

In the summer reading game children will sign a contract to read for two hours or more each week and, if they do the reading, they will win a weekly prize. All children from birth through age 12 can play. Prereaders can play by having their parents read to them.

The games are designed to encourage steady reading throughout the summer. Educators have found that children who do not read during the summer sometimes lose as much as one year’s progress in reading skills and preschoolers who are not read to are at a severe disadvantage when they attend kindergarten. Just a small amount of reading each day can pay big dividends in school.

The library will also host National Geographic movies at 2 p.m. June 22, 29 and July 6; Conjuring Carroll the Magician at 10 a.m. July 6; and a second pair of Chewonki programs at 9:30 and 11 a.m. July 27. All events are free but require tickets.

The children’s room is looking for volunteers ages 12 to 18 to help with summer activities. No experience is necessary.

For more information about programs, call the library children’s room at 784-0135, ext. 4, or look online at lplonline.org.