MEXICO – “Saddle Up and Read, Bookaroo!” is the theme for this year’s children’s summer reading program at the Mexico Public Library. The program will run from June 18 to Aug. 21.

The library will offer the program and reading incentives to readers ages 2 to 14. Readers ages 2 to 5 will receive a prize for every two hours that they spend reading or looking at books with an adult.

Readers ages 6 to 10 will receive a prize for every three hours spent reading with an adult or by oneself. Readers ages 11 to 14 will receive a prize for every five hours spent reading.

Prizes will include coupons for free ice cream, pizza and kid’s meals.

A variety of nonfood prizes will also be offered. All readers who participate in the program will be invited to a special summer reading celebration in August.

To sign up for the program, visit the library any time after June 1 and register. All children who sign up will receive a free “Saddle Up and Read, Bookaroo!” book bag with theme-related things inside.

Story and craft hours will continue throughout the summer on Tuesdays. Children ages 2 to 5 will meet at 10 a.m. An additional story and craft hour will be held at 1 p.m. on most Tuesdays for children ages 6 to 10. If a family has children in both age groups, they can choose a story hour and bring all the children to the same one.

Among the special programs for the summer will be a cowboy-cowgirl programs, a puppet show, a snake man, an American Girl Tea Party, a juggler/mime and a Teddy Bear Picnic.

For more information, call the library at 364-3281 or visit www.mexico.lib.me.us.