This summer, there is a banyan tree growing in the children's room of Stevens Memorial Library in North Andover. The tree — a paper version of the real tree native to Asia — has been growing bigger as children trace their handprints, adding paper "leaves" to it.
Marina Salenikas, head of youth services at Stevens Memorial Library, said she hopes the banyan tree has 500 handprints by the end of the summer.
The banyan tree is just one of several nature-themed special programs happening in Boxford and North Andover this summer, as part of the statewide "wild reads" library curriculum.
Salenikas and Josh Kennedy, children's librarian in Boxford, agree that summer programming has been as popular as ever this year.
Besides concerts, performances and other activities for kids, both Boxford's and North Andover's libraries have reading programs, where people can use logs to keep track of their reading and enter contests for prizes.
"We've had more traffic this summer, it's really been amazing," Kennedy said. "We ran out of summer reading logs and had to start making our own, and that's a good sign."
Kennedy is especially looking forward to the Boxford library's annual end-of-summer-reading party on Aug. 12, he said. During the event at the Boxford Town Hall on Spofford Road, families can enjoy Benson's Ice Cream. The library will award reading-contest prizes and special guest Keith Johnson will present his "Amazing Bubble Show."
"I've been dying to see this," said Kennedy. "He does all kinds of tricks with giant bubbles, made out of ordinary soap. It should be quite a show."
In North Andover, new assistant librarian Kathleen Keenan has been doing craft projects with youth.
Salenikas said her favorite part of the summer is seeing children of all ages enthusiastic about reading during the summer.
"I love to see when kids have read one or two books in a series and can't wait to get to the third," she said. "Or when a kid comes in and asks for a really long, fat book he can take on vacation. That's music to a librarian's ears."
What's up at your library?
Preregistration required for all events. For details, contact the Boxford library at 978-887-READ or Stevens Memorial in North Andover at 978-688-9538.
BOXFORD:
r Tuesday, July 29, 7 p.m.: Davis Bates and Roger Tincknell present "Wild Stories and Songs," at the East Village Library, 10 Elm St.
r Tuesday, Aug. 12, 2 p.m.: Summer reading party at the Boxford Town Hall, Spofford Road. "Amazing Bubble Show" by Keith Johnson with Benson's Ice Cream and prizes.
NORTH ANDOVER:
r Friday, July 25, 12:30 to 2 p.m.: "Wild About Turtles" program for second- through fifth-graders.
r Friday, Aug. 1, 11 a.m.: "Moovin' and Groovin'" concert by musician Su Eaton, appropriate for all ages.
r Friday, Aug. 8, 11 a.m.: Central Massachusetts Repertory Theatre show, geared for kids, which brings literary characters to life.
r Thursday, Aug. 14, 11 a.m.: End-of-summer-reading picnic on library lawn and concert by musician Marcus Gale.
