Expedition Blue Wave Summer Reading Challenge
June 20th- August 14th
Welcome Aboard, Deep Sea Explorers!
Join the Children's Library on our Expedition Blue Wave Summer Reading Challenge. We have chosen some fun reading activities, awesome books, and amazing prizes!
There are two different paths to explore the ocean depths: a game for children from birth to kindergarten and another for children in kindergarten through sixth grade.
Starting on June 20th, sign up online via Beanstack then stop by the library for a paper challenge card and your free prize book! You can read any way you want from checking out physical books, downloading e-Books, or listening to audiobooks.
Choose Your Expedition
Registered Last Year?
Did you play online last year for Summer Reading? There's no need to create a new account! You may look up your account using the email address you used last year. Once you log in, you can select this year's challenge on the first day of Summer Reading! If you need assistance, please send us an email at childrenslibrary@darienlibrary.org.Pre-Readers
Pre-Reader Challenge
Explore the five Early Literacy skills of reading, writing, singing, talking, and playing as part of the Expedition Blue Wave Pre-Reader Summer Challenge.How to Play
Starting on June 20th, sign up online via Beanstack then stop by the Library for a paper challenge card and your free prize book!
Pre-readers will earn one ticket for each challenge that they complete that they can enter into one of our Prize Basket drawings. Participants must select which of the prizes they would like to win when they complete each badge online on Beanstack.
How to Win
If your child completes all 16 challenges, they will be entered into the Pre-Reader Grand Prize Drawing. This year's the winner will have their choice from three spectacular experiences as the grand prize.
Winners of the prize baskets and the Grand Prize Raffle will be selected and notified the week of August 15th.
Play Ideas
Birth to five is a huge developmental range, that's why we have included activities that can be adjusted to fit the needs of your child. Make it as easy or challenging as you would like. For example, "Find a triangle, a circle, and a square":
- For a younger baby, use a 3D object like a block to show them the shape and let them touch it and play with it.
- For a toddler, when reading together ask them to find a triangle on the page.
- For a preschooler, ask them to find triangles in everyday objects and talk to them about the different kinds of triangles.
These challenges are starting points for learning and exploration, feel free to get creative with them!
Need ideas on how to adjust the challenges? Ask a children's librarian or follow us on Instagram @DarienChildrensLibrary for ideas!
Kindergarten to 6th Grade
Expedition Blue Wave
Are you ready to explore the ocean? Starting June 20th, sign up online via Beanstack, then stop by the Library for a paper challenge card and your free prize book! Have an account from last year? When you log in, you can select this year's challenge on the first day of Summer Reading!
How to Play
Readers will complete activities (called badges on Beanstack) in the order they appear. Reading activities can be completed by reading physical books, e-books, or listening to audiobooks. Participants can count any books they read between June 20th and August 14th.
For each activity that you complete, you earn one ticket that you can enter into one of our Prize Basket drawings.
Participants may log their challenges on their paper map then upload their answers through Beanstack.
How to Win
Participants must select which of the prizes they would like to win on Beanstack after they complete each badge.
Everyone who completes all sixteen challenges by August 14th will be entered into the Kids Grand Prize Raffle! The winner will have their choice from three spectacular experiences.
Winners of the prize baskets and the Grand Prize Raffle will be selected and notified the week of August 15th.
Books You'll Love
Summer Reading is made possible by the generous support of the Marion Moore Foundation.