BY KYLA MERWIN

Kids will be digging into summer reading this year with a kickoff party on Thursday, June 4, at The Community Library in Ketchum.

Families are invited to drop into the Children's Library between 11 a.m. and 2 p.m. that day for fun and games.

At the party, participants can register to "Unearth a Story" in the Summer Reading Program. They can also make their own "dig it up" trail mix, adopt their very own dino reading buddy, and create dinosaurs with new Dino Bone Blocks.

Youth Summer Reading includes special programs, activities and prizes appropriate for various age groups, including pre-school and kindergarten, kids in grades one through six, and teens. The program runs from June 4 through July 24 with a big celebration on Saturday, July 25.

To participate, kids are asked to register, read, and report their reading. The national theme, UNEARTH A STORY, offers opportunities to explore our extraordinary world through a prehistoric lens. The upcoming calendar is packed with activities focused on dinosaurs, paleontology, archaeology, rocks, and more.

“Summer is a great time for kids to explore their own interests and read for fun,” said DeAnn Campbell, director of the Children's and Young Adult Library. “Reading 20 minutes a day is a good benchmark, and local libraries are the best places to dig up good books. The  Library's Bookmobile also puts books on the move with visits to Carey City Park, Bellevue City Park, Balmoral Apartments in Hailey, and the YMCA in Ketchum.”

Librarians are always happy to point kids in the direction of the titles that will help them find joy in reading, Campbell added. And The Library’s summer reading program offers  incentives and prizes to help kids stay engaged in the summer months.

Recommended titles include 10 Things I Love about Dinosaurs, Land of Giants and The Bone Wars.

As for prizes, all participants who register and report their reading will be entered into a drawing to be held at the Awards Party on Saturday, July 25. The Children’s Library has curated rock-star prizes, such as Dinosaur Warmies, books, LEGOs and National Geographic Gemstone Dig Kits.

All participants who submit a reading log will receive a $10 gift card to Chapter One Bookstore in Ketchum or Iconoclast Books & Gifts in Hailey.