By Becky Friedman and Ann Pearson

Summer officially began on Monday, June 20th, but the Free Library’s Summer Reading Program has already been in full swing!

We kicked off our Summer of Wonder at Parkway Central Library with special guests Mayor Jim Kenney, Councilwoman Helen Gym, our Summer Reading illustrator, Lauren Castillo, the Phillie Phanatic, and our summer reading sponsor, Wells Fargo.

The event featured storytelling with Lauren Castillo, crafting with staff from the Philadelphia Museum of Art, and dancing with the Phanatic. Students from Girard College and the Russell Byers Charter School also signed up for Summer Reading with the Free Library and will participate in literacy-focused activities and games at neighborhood library locations all summer long. You can join the Free Library Summer Reading Program too and attend any of our free events!

For anyone hiding from the heat, there’s also Online Summer Reading, which offers a digital way for readers of all ages to participate in the Free Library’s Summer of Wonder. You can earn badges for reading, posting, or visiting Philly destinations and also win prizes through a weekly raffle!

Looking for a great book to read? Check out our fantastic Summer Reading suggestions!

Have a great summer, Philadelphia!

Happy Reading!