Nearly 2,000 books read for program

More than 300 children have read more than 541 hours totaling 1, 914 books as a part of the Summer reading program at Tucumcari Public Library.

QCS photo: Thomas Garcia

Cisco Martinez colors his cloth dog Fido Tuesday as a part of the Tucumcari Public Library's Summer Reading Program. Martinez said he and his sister Kaylee are reading up to 10 books a week.

The purpose is to encourage and excite children about reading, said Dianetta Kroeker, library director.

Kroeker said the children have been doing outstanding after the first six weeks of the program. She said the children are enjoying the arts and crafts, magic shows and reading sessions at the library.

"As a parent this is a perfect way to keep my children reading skills current and possibly advance their reading level," said Keren Martinez.

Martinez said she works at Tucumcari Elementary and has heard staff comment on how some students lose reading skills over the summer break.

"My kids read like I do," Martinez said.

Cisco Martinez said he and his sister Kaylee are reading up to 10 books a week. He said his favorite book he has read so far is "Goosebumps: Monster Blood 2."

"My favorite part of reading is finding what could or did happen," Cisco said. "It's exciting to see how a story unfolds."

Children who participate in the program are rewarded for their participation in the program with special events during and at the end.

On Friday, the children and their parents were treated to a magic show at the Tucumcari Convention Center.

Children watched and participated in the magic show performed by The Amazing Bodini, an Albuquerque based magician.

Kroker said the summer reading program is still accepting registrations.