Summer club wants you to 'Read on the Wild Side' Batavia Public Library notes

The youth services department at Batavia Public Library, 10 S. Batavia Ave., offers a variety of programs in July. Priority is given to Batavia Public Library cardholders for all programs requiring registration. For information or to register, call (630) 879-4775.

Read on the Wild Side!: The library's 2009 Summer Reading Club for infants through eighth grade continues through Aug. 8. Register at the Youth Services Desk.

Games and dance: Board games and Dance, Dance Revolution will be offered at 1 p.m. Wednesday, July 1, for children ages 7 to 14. No registration is required.

Movie time: Children's movies are shown at 11 a.m. Thursday July 2 and 10 a.m. Thursday, July 16. Please call the library for movie titles, lengths, and ratings. No registration is required.

Lap Sit Lions Storytime: Children ages 2-3 and their caregivers are invited for stories, rhymes, and more at 10 a.m. Monday, July 6 and Tuesday, July 21. Registration is required.

Book Worms: Students in kindergarten and first grade are invited to a themed story and craft time at 1 p.m. Monday, July 6 and 11 a.m. Saturday, July 11. Registration is required.

Readers Theater Auditions: Students ages 8 to 14 are invited to audition at 7 p.m. Monday, July 6 for two short "Anansi the Spider" tales which will be performed at the; library's Summer Reading Club finale, Aug. 7. Rehearsals will be held on Mondays and Thursdays, July 9 to Aug. 6. Registration is required.

Signing Fun: Sheryl Ebersold, licensed sign language interpreter, will show how to incorporate sign language into daily activities with signs, songs, and more at 10 a.m. and 11 a.m. Tuesday, July 7. It is for infants up to 18 months with a caregiver. Space is limited. Registration is required.

Chess Knights: Children in fourth grade and up, teens, and adults can play chess with family and friends from 7 to 8:30 p.m. Tuesdays, July 7, 14, 21 and 28. All skill levels are welcome. Participants should have a basic knowledge of the game. No registration is required.

Book Buddies: Young readers, ages 6 to 8, are encouraged to practice their reading skills with a Junior Volunteer for approximately one hour at 11 a.m. July 8, 15, 20, and 30. The program focuses on book sharing rather than tutoring. Register for one or all dates.

Habitat - Desert: Through stories and activities, students in second through fourth grades can explore what makes desert habitats unique at 11 a.m. Thursday, July 9. Registration is required.

Wild Games: All ages are invited to play a traditional game with a twist at 11 a.m. Friday, July 10 with Lightsaber Badminton; at 11 a.m. Friday, July 17 with Hogwarts Hoot; and at 1 p.m. Friday, July 31 with Frisbee Bowling. No registration is required.

Wild Crafts: All ages can join in "Wild Crafts" at 1 p.m. Friday, July 10 with "Aliens" and at 11 a.m. Friday, July 24 with "Broomstick Pencil." Children younger than 5 years of age must be accompanied by an adult. No registration required.

Reading with Rover: Children in first to fourth grade are invited to practice their reading skills by reading aloud to a specially trained therapy dog from 10 a.m. to noon Saturdays, July 11 and 18. This program offers a nonthreatening and fun environment in which to enjoy reading aloud. Register for a 20-minute time slot. Registration is required.

Children's Bingo: Children ages 3 to 14 can enjoy an hour of bingo at 11 a.m. Monday, July 13. Children ages 5 and younger must be accompanied by an adult or older sibling. No registration is required.

Night Birds of Prey: The Illinois Raptor Center staff will bring live owls to the library to teach families with children age 4 and older about the habits of these nocturnal birds at 7 p.m. Monday, July 13. Family registration is required.

Baby Bugs Storytime: This interactive program for infants to 23 months with a caregiver includes songs, rhymes, and stories at 11 a.m. Tuesdays, July 14 and 28. Registration is required.

Hogwarts Trivia: Children age 7 to 14 are invited to test their knowledge of Harry Potter at 2 p.m. Tuesday, July 14. No registration is required.

Preschool Pandas Storytime: Children ages 3 to 6 without a caregiver are invited for activities, stories and a craft at 10 a.m. Wednesday, July 15. Registration is required.

Web Kidz: Students ages 6 to 8 will visit kid-friendly Internet sites for entertainment and education at 4 p.m. Tuesday, July 21. Registration and signed parental permission before class is required.

Book Gems: Students in second and third grades will discuss "Tigers at Twilight" by Mary Pope Osborne and enjoy activities related to the book at 11 a.m. Wednesday, July 22. Registration is required; reserve a copy of the book at time of registration.

Wild about Chocolate: Students in fifth through eighth grades are invited to learn about the different types of chocolate, where cocoa beans grow, and more at 2 p.m. Wednesday, July 22. Taste testing is included. Registration is required.

Wild about Pets: The Naperville Human Society presents this program for young pet lovers in kindergarten, first, and second grades using puppets and "pet packs" at 11 a.m. Thursday, July 23. Pet care and safe interaction with pets is also addressed. Registration is required.

Mother-Daughter Book Chat: Girls in fourth through sixth grades and their moms or another female adult will discuss "Emma-Jean Lazarus Fell Out of a Tree" by Lauren Tarshis at 7 p.m. Thursday, July 23. Registration is required; reserve a copy of the book at time of registration.

Yarn Spinners: Students ages 8 to 14 and student-parent teams are invited to knit or crochet a tote bag at 1 p.m. July 28-30 and Aug. 4-6. All levels of experience welcome; basic instruction will be offered. Bring size 10 knitting needles or size G/H crochet hook. Yarn will be provided. Plan to attend all six sessions.

Curious Critters: Come to the library for a hands-on, educational program about some unusual animals presented by the Flying Fox Conservation Fund at 7 p.m. Wednesday, July 29. For families with children ages 4 and older. Family registration is required.