Summer Reading Program 2025
Level Up at Your Library – Children’s
July 7th – August 15th, 2025
Excitement and fun await those who journey to Rogers Free Library and participate in the summer reading program, Level Up at Your Library. In addition to reading great books, library patrons can participate in exciting programs.
Beginning July 7th, log your children’s reading, participate in library programs, and win fantastic prizes!
Our Children’s Summer Reading Program is on paper logs. Anyone wishing to participate can pick up logs in the Children’s Room. Teens are encouraged to participate in the Teen Summer Reading Program and can grab their reading packet at Main Circulation.
Reading recommendations from the Bristol Warren Regional School District can be found on our Reading and Resources Page.
We also have programs for teens & for adults! To learn more, visit our Teen SRP & Adult SRP webpages.
How it Works:
Children 0-6: Board Game Reading Log
- Pick up your log in the Children’s Room and receive a free book to start your reading journey!
- Mark off a circle every time you read for 5 minutes or finish 1 book
- Read books, attend programs, and mark your progress!
- When you finish your log, you can bring it to the Children’s Room to receive a small prize and enter for one of our grand prizes!
Children 7-12: Reading Dragons & Friends
- Pick up your Reading Dragon tracking log and Starter Pack of cards in the Children’s Room. You will also receive a free book to start your reading journey!
- Earn a set of dragon cards for each row you fill on your tracking log. Each set includes 4 cards showing the egg, baby, teen, and adult of the dragon you choose. Each box = 30 minutes of reading.
- Bring your tracker to the library to collect your cards. A staff member will initial your tracker for each completed row.
- Collect all the dragons and return to receive a prize & enter our grand prize raffle!
Prizes*
Children can win giveaway books and gift cards to local Bristol businesses by completing their logs! They will also enter to win one of our Awesome Summer Reading Grand Prizes (3 total!)
Click each heading below to see all the programs in that category
Summer Reading Kickoff Party
Saturday, July 12th, 12 pm-2 pm, at Linden Place
Are you ready to Level Up? Join us at the 2025 Summer Reading Kickoff Party to sign up for summer reading.
There will be games, crafts, music, treats, & more! There will also be a special performance from
The Toe Jam Puppet Band! Toe Jam’s performance starts at 2:00 pm.
All ages event.
*If inclement weather, the event will be held inside
Children’s Summer Craft
Every Monday the library is open, 10-11:30 am, Children’s Room
Every Monday morning, we invite children to our Summer Craft Time! Get creative with a variety of fun and engaging craft projects that are perfect for all ages. Each week, we’ll explore different themes and materials to spark your imagination.
Best for ages 2-8. Drop-in program; no registration is required.
Gamer Lounge
Every Monday the library is open, 12-1 pm, Teen Space
Calling all gamers! Join us for Gamer Lounge, where you can dive into a world of adventure, competition, and fun. Whether you’re a seasoned player or just starting out, our collection of gaming consoles and PCs has something for everyone.
What We Offer:
PlayStation 5 (PS5), Nintendo Switch, & Gaming PCs
Features:
Open Play: Choose your favorite game and play at your own pace.
Multiplayer Opportunities: Challenge your friends or team up for cooperative gameplay.
Casual and Competitive Gaming: Whether you’re in it for the fun or the glory, there’s a spot for you.
Best for ages 8-18. Drop-in program; no registration is required.
Heroes In Training: DnD for Beginners
Wednesday, July 16th, July 30th, & August 13th, 12:30-2 pm, Children’s Room
Looking for adventure? Dive into the world of Dungeons & Dragons! Our beginner-friendly program introduces young heroes to the magic of collaborative storytelling and creative problem-solving.
Designed specifically for newcomers, participants will create characters, learn basic game mechanics, and work together to overcome challenges in a supportive environment guided by our Game Master.
No prior experience necessary—just bring your imagination! Through DnD, players develop teamwork, creative thinking, math skills, and storytelling abilities while having fun!
Best for ages 7-12 years old. Drop-in program; no registration is required.
Sensory Playtime
Thursday, July 24th & August 7th, 11 am-12 pm, Children’s Room
Drop into the Children’s Room for Sensory Playtime! Children of all abilities and their caregivers are invited to play with various engaging sensory toys, sensory bins, and more! Help young ones develop their fine motor skills, cognitive growth, emotional and social skills, and encourage creative and independent thinking.
Best for ages 0-7. Drop-in program; no registration required.
Tabletop Tots
Friday, July 11th, July 18th, & August 8th, 10 – 11 am
Friday, July 25th, 11 am -12:30 pm
Join us for a fun-filled hour of board games designed just for our youngest learners!
This program welcomes children to explore age-appropriate games that build important skills while having a blast.
Best for ages 3-6. Drop-in program; no registration is required.
Mr. Vinny the Bubble Guy
Saturday, July 19th, 2-2:45 pm, Linden Place
Using giant homemade bubble wands, a sound system full of music, and a lot of funny family entertainment, Mr. Vinny gets kids and adults involved in bubble chasing games. The program is all about big beautiful bubbles, running around, and… having FUN! 45 minutes long.
Truly best for all ages. 1-100 years old. Drop-in program; no registration is required.
Ultimate Gaming Truck
Tuesday, July 22nd, 10 am-12:30 pm, Library Parking Lot
Grab your friends and play the latest games in the Ultimate Gaming Truck! Choose from different consoles to play and compete, all in a climate-controlled mobile gaming truck!
Best for ages 7-12 years old. Drop-in program; no registration is required.
Audubon Society: Outdoor Explorations
Friday, July 25th, 10-11 am, Courtyard Garden
Explore and investigate the natural world, right outside the library! Our friends from the Audubon Society will be coming to our Outdoor Courtyard. This hour-long program will focus on birds and their habitats.
Best for ages 6-10. Space is limited. Registration is required. Please register here.
Stuffed Animal Spa
Wednesday, August 6th, 10-11:30 am, Children’s Room
The Children’s Room is turning into a Stuffed Animal Spa! Treat your fluffy friend to a bath, brush, and fluff.
Best for ages 2-6. Drop-in program; no registration is required.
End of Summer Reading Bash
Friday, August 15th, 10 am-12 pm, Courtyard Garden*
Celebrate the end of summer and our Children’s Summer Reading program! There will be a costume contest, crafts, snacks, a photo booth, and more!
We will also be announcing the winners of the Summer Reading raffle.
Best for ages 0-12. Drop-in program; no registration is required.
Storytime at Mount Hope Farm
Tuesday, July 15th & Tuesday, August 12th, 10:00 – 11:00 am, Mount Hope Farm StoryWalk®
Hop on over to Mount Hope Farm, where Miss Sarah has a treat in store for you! Listen to the StoryWalk® tale and an extra story, then dive into a fun craft session.
Best for ages 0-8.
Drop-in program. No registration is needed.
*If inclement weather, storytime will be inside the Barn
All Ages Storytime with Miss Erin
Every Thursday from July 10th to August 14th, 10:00 – 10:30 am, Courtyard Garden
This fun story time will include stories, interactive songs and rhymes, and a Grab & Go Craft Kit (while supplies last). Children, parents, and caregivers join us in the Courtyard Garden*
For children ages 0-7 and their parents or caregivers
Drop-in program. No registration is needed.
*If inclement weather, storytime will be inside the Children’s Room, on the Rainbow Rug.
Mrs. Katz & Her Hats Storytime
Every Thursday starting July 10th to August 14th, 5:30-6:00 pm, Children’s Room
See which hats Mrs. Katz will wear during this fun storytime! Mrs. Katz’s collection of hats has grown to over 200 hats! Once a month, Mrs. Katz has a special giveaway sponsored by the Friends of the Library. Parents and caregivers, storytimes are every Thursday!
Best for ages 2-8 and their parents or caregivers
No registration is needed.
Authors Unplugged for Pre-K to 2nd Graders
Drawing Your World with Raúl The Third
Tuesday, July 8, 4:00 – 4:30 pm
This talk will NOT be hosted on-site at the library. It is online only.
Register HERE.
Join author and illustrator Raúl The Third as he discusses his book ¡Vamos! Let’s Go Read!. Meet Little Lobo and friends as they explore their library’s Libro Love Book Festival! From cookbook demonstrations and comics workshops to mask making and language classes, this library has something for everyone and Little Lobo can’t wait to show you.
Raúl the Third uses his culture and his experience growing up on the US and Mexico border to inspire his art and his storytelling. Students will be encouraged to explore their world through a creative lens. A draw along is planned, drawing supplies and paper are recommended.
Please note that we will be hosting Raúl the Third twice on this date, once in Spanish and in English. Be sure that you are registering for your preferred format.
About the Author: Raúl The Third is a New York Times bestselling and three-time Pura Belpre award-winning illustrator, author, and artist living in Boston. His work centers around the contemporary Mexican-American experience and his memories of growing up in El Paso, Texas and Ciudad Juarez, Mexico. He is currently adapting his World of Vamos! books into an animated television series with Silvergate Media and Mercury Filmworks.
Authors Unplugged para Preescolar a 2º grado
Dibuja tu mundo con Raúl the Third
Martes, Julio 8, 2:00 – 2:30 pm
Esta charla NO se impartirá presencialmente en la biblioteca. Es solo en línea.
Registrate AQUÍ.
Acompaña al autor e ilustrador Raúl the Third mientras nos habla de su libro ¡Vamos! ¡A leer! Conoce a Lobito y sus amigos mientras exploran el Festival del Libro Love de su biblioteca. Desde demostraciones de libros de cocina y talleres de cómics hasta creación de máscaras y clases de idiomas, esta biblioteca tiene algo para todos los gustos y Lobito está deseando mostrárselo.
Raúl the Third usa su cultura y su experiencia de crecer en la frontera entre Estados Unidos y México para inspirar su arte y sus historias. Se animará a los estudiantes a explorar su mundo a través de una perspectiva creativa. Se planea un dibujo conjunto y se recomiendan materiales y papel para dibujar.
Por Favor: Tenga en cuenta que esta fecha tendremos dos presentaciones de Raúl the Third: una en español y otra en inglés. Asegúrese de registrarse en el formato que prefiera.
Sobre el autor: Raúl the Third es un ilustrador, autor y artista superventas del New York Times y tres veces ganador del premio Pura Belpre, residente en Boston. Su obra se centra en la experiencia mexicoamericana contemporánea y sus recuerdos de su infancia en El Paso, Texas, y Ciudad Juárez, México. Actualmente está adaptando sus libros “World of Vamos!” a una serie animada de televisión con Silvergate Media y Mercury Filmworks. with Silvergate Media and Mercury Filmworks.
Authors Unplugged: Smithsonian Biologist Jay Falk
The Stories, Science, and History of Birds
Tuesday, August 5, 2:00 – 3:00 pm
This talk will NOT be hosted on-site at the library. It is online only. Register HERE.
Delve into the fascinating world of birds through astonishing photography and clear explanations in this absorbing global guide, The Bird Book: The Stories, Science, and History of Birds.
Birds are dinosaurs with a history going back millions of years. Our fascination with them runs deep in history, and our close association is reflected in creation stories, myths, legends, songs, and children’s stories.
This book and presentation explore:
- Both the natural history of birds and that deep cultural connection. From their evolution and anatomy to their behavior and diversity.
- Hawks, finches, swans, or birds of paradise, moving the focus away from a predictable species-by-species account and allowing for truly global coverage.
- The bold nature of European Robins and why they are associated with Christmas; the mythical Phoenix, which rises from the ashes; and learn about eagles, from their hunting prowess to their myriads of stories and symbolism.
Packed with information, beautiful photography, and illustrations, The Bird Book is a must-have for nature enthusiasts. Register today to learn more about your very own backyard friends!
About the Author: Dr. Jay Jinsing Falk is a Postdoctoral Fellow at the Smithsonian Tropical Research Institute and the University of Colorado. He is an evolutionary biologist and behavioral ecologist fascinated by the diversity that can be found within species, especially in sexual traits. During his PhD, he began studying White-necked Jacobin hummingbirds as a STRI Short-Term Fellow, and later as a Smithsonian Predoctoral Fellow. His findings, that some females of this species look like males while others do not, has become the cornerstone of his research program. He is inspired by the dizzying array of feather coloration that can be found in hummingbirds. After completing his PhD at Cornell University, he moved to the University of Washington to study hummingbird movement and metabolism. Now at the University of Colorado, he is investigating the genetics and development of feather coloration. Jay currently lives in Gamboa, Panamá, where he studies the hummingbirds that visit the feeders at his house on the edge of the forest.
*Note: While the book will be discussed, please be aware the presenter may explore other topics in the related fields suiting their additional expertise. Presenters can be expected to be experts in the field; however, for the Smithsonian and Library Speakers Consortium Collaboration they may not always be the author of the book being highlighted.