Children are eligible to earn prizes each week based on how much time they’ve spent reading
By: Eric Schwarz
A "mad scientist" melted a "witch" and made slime for about 60 children on Monday at Manville Public Library.
Dynamite Dave Whiteman promoted the library’s summer reading program with "wacky science" demonstrations.
Mr. Whiteman told the children that one of his favorite movies is "The Wizard of Oz," and then proceeded to use acetone to melt a foam head representing the Wicked Witch of the West.
It’s the 12th or 13th year for the reading program, which draws children entering the first through eighth grades.
Children are eligible to earn prizes each week based on how much time they’ve spent reading. They report to the library every Monday from June 26 through Aug. 7, when they earn prizes and participate in activities.
Prizes are given at the plateaus of 100 minutes, 500 minutes, 1,000 minutes, 3,000 minutes and 5,000 minutes.
The children earn prizes like rulers, stickers, games, jacks, yo-yos, pencils, pens and books, said Ruth Bielanski, assistant director and children’s librarian.
The library recommends children up to 5 years old read at least 10 minutes a day; up to fourth grade, 15 minutes a day; and fifth grade and up, 30 minutes a day.
The rest of the summer reading program events run from 10:30 to 11:30 a.m. each Monday.
The July 17 event will feature Jeanne DePodwin of Bernardsville leading a sing-along.
Other events include craft days, with children making rocket sun catchers July 24, outer space mobiles July 31 and paper airplanes Aug. 7.
Ms. Bielanski on Tuesday said the library has one copy of the hugely popular children’s book "Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire" released Saturday.
The library is expecting a second copy and had about 10 to 15 names on the waiting list to borrow the 734-page book.