NORWICH – Guernsey Memorial Library will host its Ice Cream Story time and Social on Saturday June 13, from 10 to 11 a.m. in the Children's Area of the library located at 3 Court Street, Norwich. Families are invited to kick off the summer with reading, crafts, and a build-your-own sundae bar.

Children's Librarian Kim Hazen said the day will begin with a traditional story time except they will be reading a selection of ice cream related children's books.

Afterward, children can participate in a hands-on ice cream themed craft. Then to close the hour an ice cream sundae bar, where kids can choose they're own toppings. While the event is geared toward children seven and under, Hazen noted that older siblings are welcome to join in on the fun.

“Everybody's invited and we'll have a good time,” said Hazen.

The ice cream story time will be tailored towards the children who show up to participate. Hazen said the ice cream theme even offers opportunity to reinforce early learning skills like number counting skills and color recognition the for little ones. The craft will also mirror the ice cream social theme. Children in attendance will have the chance to create their own ice cream cone magnet out of foam before heading to the sundae bar to enjoy the real thing.

The Children's Area of the library offers a welcoming environment with more than just books. The space continue to be enriched with a variety of interactive toys and games, including a play kitchen, doctor and vet sets, puzzles, computers, and even video gaming systems for a range of ages.

“We have all kinds of things for kids,” said Hazen adding, “pretty much every video game thing, we've got it.”

The library also offers traditional children's story time sessions. While the current session is coming to an end, story times will resume for the summer session on July 6. They plan to host children's story times on Tuesday and Thursday at 10:30 a.m. from then until August 14.

Hazen encourages parents to read to their children starting from a young age, even from birth.

“The earlier you can do it the better, because they'll get into reading. Reading will become more of a habit for them,” she said. Hazen said that attendance at the library's story time's varies but that they usually see around four kids but at times as many as 14 will show up to be read to.

No registration is required for the Ice Cream Story time and Social and there is no attendance limit, though Hazen joked she hopes for “a good number, but not too many” so the ice cream doesn't run out. Above all, she hope families will come and enjoy themselves.