Local children are encouraged to head for the library this summer for a variety of reading and entertainment activities -- all about bugs.

The Kings County Library and the Children's Friends of the Library BookBuddies annually sponsor a summer reading program recommended for children ages 4 to 12 years. The goal is to encourage children to read for pleasure during the summer and to retain their reading skills for the school year. This year's theme is "Catch the Reading Bug."

The summer reading program includes a component where signed up children maintain a reading log that will make them eligible for prizes. The other component is free story times and crafts, which don't require children to sign up ahead of time. Entertainment will be every Thursday at 10 a.m., through July 17, at the Veterans Building.

For the July 10 entertainment, the library will sponsor "Maggot Art," which will be orchestrated by an entomologist from University of California, Davis. Children will dip maggots in paint to create art and learn about the benefits of maggots. More information is available at www.maggotart.com. "Maggot Art" is for children five and up.

Children of all ages are invited to the other weeks of entertainment, which include folktales, magic and bubbles. All ages are also invited to the story times -- about different bugs each Wednesday -- at 3 p.m. in the children's room of the library.

"We just want the kids reading during the summer," said Jennifer Riordan, children's librarian. "The kids should come because it's free summer entertainment and it's fun for all ages. Even the parents usually get a laugh."

The "heart" of the program is reading, Riordan said. She hopes children will visit the library before or after the program, to check out books and read every week as a family.

A more detailed schedule is available at the library. The program will wrap up with music by Oklin Bloodworth, ice cream in the park and a free book. Last summer, the program had an enrollment of more than 1,000 children at branches throughout Kings County, and Riordan expects a similar number this year.

Contact Jennifer Riordan for more information at 582-0261, ext. 111.

The reporter can be reached at 583-2424.

(June 15, 2008)