Snuggle Up And Read

Nate Marshall, 7, of Basye selects a book to read on Feb. 1 at the New Market Library, which will participate in the “Snuggle with a Book” program through March 2 (Photo by Aimee George)

Nate Marshall, 7, of Basye selects a book to read with his mother, Samantha Marshall, on Feb. 1 at the New Market Library, which will participate in the “Snuggle with a Book” program through March 2. (Photo by Aimee George)

What better way to spend a blustery winter day than nestled up with your child and a book? As if an incentive was needed, New Market Library — along with other local libraries — will be participating in the “Snuggle with a Book” program as part of the statewide winter reading program.

“We are encouraging reading with an incentive program where the children will get reading logs with stickers on a glossy sheet to keep track and write down books they read,” says Becky Kipps, volunteer and children’s program coordinator at the New Market Library.

Karen Whetzel, a library volunteer adds, “Getting children to read and getting them in the library at an early age is really important and it helps them get ready for school.

“The Winter Reading Program is relatively new,” she explains, comparing it to the long-running Summer Reading Program. She explains that it is often harder to participate in the winter because of weather.

But parents and children who have braved the cold weather to participate “have really enjoyed it,” she adds.

The Library of Virginia provides the option to “Snuggle with a Book” at libraries throughout the state. New Market Library, along with Mount Jackson, Strasburg and the county library in Edinburg, will participate this season.

Participants must be 6 years of age or younger. The program will run from Feb. 1-March 2. Parents and children can bring completed logs to receive a prize, which varies by location.

On Feb. 22 at 10 a.m., the New Market Library, at 160 E. Lee St., will host the monthly preschool story time. Children can attend and log the featured book.

Kipps also encourages families to participate in upcoming library events, including the Dr. Seuss birthday party Feb. 28, which will feature scrambled green eggs, hats and other activities to celebrate the author.

For more information, contact Becky Kipps at (540) 740-8796 or Karen Whetzel at (540) 740-8589.

Contact Aimee George at (540) 574-6292 or ageorge@dnronline.com