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Published June 27, 2017 at 10:00 a.m.
Reading during the summer months has a sweet payoff for kids in the Manchester area, thanks to Mother Myrick's Confectionery. Twenty-eight years ago, the makers of Lemon LuLu cake, buttercrunch and specialty chocolates started their Fun Summer Reading Program as a way to instill a joy of reading in kids. "As an employer, both my husband and I believe we have a responsibility to give back to the community," said the shop's co-owner Jacki Baker. In 1989, the Bakers came up with the idea of a game board where elementary-school kids could record what they'd read during the summer, and come in to the shop for special goodies after they'd completed a certain number of books. Through the years, she's enlisted art students from the local high school to submit illustrations for the game board, giving a $50 gift certificate to the winning design. In addition to keeping a log of titles they've read, kids who participate in the program have the option of doing book-related projects like dioramas and posters, which Baker displays around the shop through the summer months. "Having a candy store, we're all about celebration," said Baker, who hopes other Vermont businesses will be encouraged to create similar programs. "This is a natural outgrowth of that."
Pick up a Fun Summer Reading Program game board at Manchester Community Library, Northshire Bookstore or Mother Myrick's Confectionery at 4367 Main St. in Manchester. The program runs from June 21-September 8. mothermyricks.com
This article was originally published in Seven Days' monthly parenting magazine, Kids VT.
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About The Author
Alison Novak
Bio:
Alison is the former managing editor at Kids VT, Seven Days' parenting publication and writes about education for Seven Days.
Alison is the former managing editor at Kids VT, Seven Days' parenting publication and writes about education for Seven Days.
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