By Derek Johnson
Special to the Alpine Mountaineer
With fantasy-themed prizes, magical performances and enough books to fill a castle’s library, the annual summer reading program is back at the Crestline, Running Springs and Lake Arrowhead libraries.
This year’s theme, “Tales of Enchantment,” invites readers of all ages to dive into a world of dragons, fairies, trolls, castles and mythical adventures – all while earning prizes and enjoying live entertainment each week.
The eight-week program began on June 9 and runs through Aug. 3. Kids are encouraged to read five books each week and track their progress using the Beanstack app, a free and easy-to-use reading tracker. With each completed week, they earn a fantasy-themed badge – like the Dragon Badge, Castle Badge or Cauldron Badge – and get to pick a prize from the branch’s treasure-filled prize bin.
A few raffle winners pose with their prizes and crafts.
Once readers log a total of 45 books, they unlock the final badge, “Sword in the Stone,” and are entered into the grand prize drawing to be held at the end of the summer.
Parents of younger children can also enroll their little ones in the ongoing “1000 Books Before Kindergarten” challenge. Any books logged for the summer reading program can count toward both challenges, giving families double credit for every story they read this summer.
The Lake Arrowhead branch kicked off the program with a hands-on event featuring three different craft tables and a special checkout challenge. Children who checked out 10 items were entered into a prize drawing that included two LEGO sets and a bubble gun.
“It’s a fun way to keep the kids busy and learning all summer,” said one local parent. “We try not to miss a week.” Library staff agree, saying they love seeing families come together around books and creativity, and that the summer program is one of their favorite parts of the year.
The fun doesn’t stop at reading. Each week, all three branches host live performances filled with laughs, animals, music and magic. Entertainment is scheduled as follows:
- Crestline: Tuesdays at 12:30 p.m.
- Running Springs: Tuesdays at 3:00 p.m.
- Lake Arrowhead: Thursdays at 3:00 p.m.
While some acts will rotate among the branches, others will appear only at one location. From animal educators to high-energy magicians, every show offers something unique. And with names like The Wacko Show, Mr. Twister, Thor’s Reptile Family, and Billy Bonkers, it’s sure to be a wild summer at the library.
Performers this season include balloon artists, puppet masters, exotic animal handlers, live musicians and science demonstrators. Whether it’s dancing along with Latin percussion, watching magic tricks involving live bunnies or seeing a shoe-balancing performer in action, these free events offer fun for the whole family.
Adults can join the fun, too. Their reading challenge, also tracked on Beanstack, requires reading one book per week. Each completed week earns them a ticket for the adult prize basket drawing at the end of the program.
Signing up is simple: Families can visit the library to register or download the Beanstack app and scan book barcodes right from their phone using the built-in camera scanner. Book logging is manual or automatic via the app, and progress is tracked internally by library staff – no need to show a badge or receipt at the counter. Just read, log and earn your weekly reward.
Whether your child dreams of unicorns or magic spells, trolls or treasure maps, this year’s summer reading program promises to bring stories to life and spark imaginations across our mountain community.
To learn more, visit your local library branch or ask a librarian how to get started. Participation is free and events are open to the public – no registration required for performances.
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