Summer Reading Program
WCPL’s 2021 Tails & Tales Summer Reading Challenge welcomes readers of all ages for six weeks of animal themed books and activities from Saturday, June 5th through Friday, July 16th.
We encourage participants to read as much as possible throughout the summer. Kids can play reading bingo each week or track their reading by signing up for the Kids Summer Reading Challenge on our Beanstack site. All readers will have opportunities to win weekly prizes.
Join us at all of our libraries for fun activities including story walks, scavenger hunts, and obstacle courses. Storytime To Go kits for younger readers and Take and Make kits for older readers will be available each week for children to enjoy at home, or kids can attend our outdoor storytimes and craft sessions.
Registration for outdoor events is not required, but supplies and space may be limited. Please bring chairs and blankets for outdoor events.
Follow our WCPL Youth Services Facebook page for up-to-date summer reading information.
Week 1: Polar Animals
Play Reading Bingo! Pick up your Bingo sheet for Week 1 and take it home to complete reading challenges and activities. Bring back a completed sheet for a small treat and an entry in our weekly prize drawing! You can also sign up and chart your reading progress on Beanstack at washcolibraryva.beanstack.org.
Week 1-2 Scavenger Hunt: Visit any WCPL library to find hidden animal friends and win prizes.
Kickoff Event (all ages)
Saturday, June 5, 10 a.m.- 2 p.m. at Abingdon library
Join the Washington County Public Library for our Tails and Tales summer reading kick off on Saturday, June 5th at the Abingdon library from 10AM – 2PM. This family friendly event is free and open to the public. Stop by to register for summer reading, grab a goody bag and free book, and enjoy the fun! We’ll have indoor activities including a scavenger hunt and craft space. Outside, families can read our featured story walk book, Animal Symphony by Dan Brown. At 11AM, kids ages 7 and under can join us for an outdoor interactive storytime!
Interactive Story Time (age 7 and under)
Saturday, June 5, 11 a.m. outside Abingdon library
Get wild with an interactive story time at our kickoff event.
OR, stop by any library location to pick up a Story Time to Go kit containing everything you need for this week’s storytime at home, June 5-11 while supplies last.
Polar Bear Paper Craft (age 8 and up)
Wednesday, June 9, 2 p.m. outside Abingdon library
Create your own polar bear artwork using book pages!
OR, stop by any library location to pick up a Take and Make kit containing everything you need for this week’s craft at home, June 5-11 while supplies last.
Teen Trivia (teens 13 and up)
Thursday, June 10, 5 p.m. outside Abingdon Library
Test your knowledge and win prizes!
Kids can learn all about Polar Animals using our Polar Animal Pathfinder.
Week 2: Insects
Play Reading Bingo! Pick up your Bingo sheet for Week 2 and take it home to complete reading challenges and activities. Bring back a completed sheet for a small treat and an entry in our weekly prize drawing! You can also sign up and chart your reading progress on Beanstack at washcolibraryva.beanstack.org.
Week 1-2 Scavenger Hunt: Visit any WCPL library to find hidden animal friends and win prizes.
Interactive Story Time (age 7 and under)
Saturday, June 12, 11 a.m. outside Abingdon library
Can you buzz like a bee? Get wild with an interactive animal themed storytime.
OR, stop by any library location to pick up a Story Time to Go kit containing everything you need for this week’s storytime at home, June 12-18 while supplies last.
Finger Knit Butterflies (age 8 and up)
Wednesday, June 16, 2 p.m. outside Abingdon library
Learn to finger knit by making a colorful butterfly!
OR, stop by any library location to pick up a Take and Make kit containing everything you need for this week’s craft at home, June 12-18 while supplies last.
Teen Trivia (teens 13 and up)
Thursday, June 17, 5 p.m. outside Abingdon Library
Test your knowledge and win prizes!
Week 3: Owls
Play Reading Bingo! Pick up your Bingo sheet for Week 3 and take it home to complete reading challenges and activities. Bring back a completed sheet for a small treat and an entry in our weekly prize drawing! You can also sign up and chart your reading progress on Beanstack at washcolibraryva.beanstack.org.
Week 3-4 Scavenger Hunt: Visit any WCPL library to find hidden animal friends and win prizes.
Interactive Story Time (age 7 and under)
Saturday, June 19, 11 a.m. outside Abingdon library
Can you hoot like an owl? Get wild with an interactive animal themed storytime.
OR, stop by any library location to pick up a Story Time to Go kit containing everything you need for this week’s storytime at home, June 19-25 while supplies last.
Owl Pellet Dissection (age 8 and up)
Wednesday, June 22, 11 a.m. outside Mendota library
Wednesday, June 23, 2 p.m. outside Abingdon library
What wild and wonderful things can we learn about owls from what they eat? Find out by digging into your own owl pellet!
OR, stop by any library location to pick up a Take and Make kit containing everything you need for this week’s craft at home, June 19-25 while supplies last.
Teen Trivia (teens 13 and up)
Thursday, June 24, 5 p.m. outside Abingdon Library
Test your knowledge and win prizes!
Week 4: Reptiles & Amphibians
Play Reading Bingo! Pick up your Bingo sheet for Week 4 and take it home to complete reading challenges and activities. Bring back a completed sheet for a small treat and an entry in our weekly prize drawing! You can also sign up and chart your reading progress on Beanstack at washcolibraryva.beanstack.org.
Week 3-4 Scavenger Hunt: Visit any WCPL library to find hidden animal friends and win prizes.
Interactive Storytime (age 7 and under)
Saturday, June 26th, 11 a.m. outside Abingdon library
Can you slither like a snake? Get wild with an active animal themed storyime.
OR, stop by any library location to pick up a Story Time to Go kit containing everything you need for this week’s storytime at home, June 19-25 while supplies last.
Beaded Gecko Keychain (age 8 and up)
Tuesday, June 29, 2 p.m. outside Hayters Gap library
Wednesday, June 30, 2 p.m. outside Abingdon library (age 7 and under)
Make your own gecko keychain using solar-powered beads!
OR, stop by any library location to pick up a Take and Make kit containing everything you need for this week’s craft at home, June 26-July 2 while supplies last.
Teen Trivia (teens 13 and up)
Thursday, July 1, 5 p.m. outside Abingdon Library
Test your knowledge and win prizes!
Week 5: Safari Animals
Play Reading Bingo! Pick up your Bingo sheet for Week 5 and take it home to complete reading challenges and activities. Bring back a completed sheet for a small treat and an entry in our weekly prize drawing! You can also sign up and chart your reading progress on Beanstack at washcolibraryva.beanstack.org.
Week 5-6 Scavenger Hunt: Visit any WCPL library to find hidden animal friends and win prizes.
Origami Tiger Bookmark (age 8 and up)
Wednesday, July 7, 1 p.m. outside Damascus library
Wednesday, July 7, 2 p.m. outside Abingdon library
Learn the amazing art of origami and craft tiger bookmarks for your books!
OR, stop by any library location to pick up a Take and Make kit containing everything you need for this week’s craft at home, July 3-9 while supplies last.
Teen Trivia (teens 13 and up)
Thursday, July 8, 5 p.m. outside Abingdon Library
Test your knowledge and win prizes!
Week 6: Pets & Farm Animals
Play Reading Bingo! Pick up your Bingo sheet for Week 6 and take it home to complete reading challenges and activities. Bring back a completed sheet for a small treat and an entry in our weekly prize drawing! You can also sign up and chart your reading progress on Beanstack at washcolibraryva.beanstack.org.
Week 5-6 Scavenger Hunt: Visit any WCPL library to find hidden animal friends and win prizes.
Pet Toy Donation Project (age 8 and up)
Wednesday, July 14, 1 p.m. outside Glade Spring library
Wednesday, July 14, 2 p.m. outside Abingdon library
Create and donate a toy for the animals at Happy Tails Animal Rescue!
OR, stop by any library location to pick up a Take and Make kit containing everything you need for this week’s craft at home, July 10-16 while supplies last.
Teen Trivia (teens 13 and up)
Thursday, July 15, 5 p.m. outside Abingdon Library
Test your knowledge and win prizes!
Much thanks to the Kiwanis Club of Abingdon for their kind sponsorship of the 2021 Summer Reading Program at WCPL. The Kiwanis have sponsored our Summer Reading Program for many years.
Additional funding for the 2021 Summer Reading Program is provided by the Friends of the Library.