Westbrook School for Young Learners Wins 2024 Mount Prospect Public Library Summer Reading Challenge

Westbrook Leads 14 schools with nearly 200 students participating in the Summer Reading Program.

Westbrook School for Young Learners claimed the top spot in the 2024 Mount Prospect Public Library Summer Reading Challenge. With 14 local schools competing, Westbrook marked the highest enrollment for any school in the program.

“We’re incredibly proud of our students for embracing the joy of reading this summer,” said Carol Capra, Library Resource Center Director at Westbrook School. “Their enthusiasm not only reflects their love for books but also highlights the importance of lifelong learning. This achievement shows how our community can come together to support literacy in such a fun and engaging way.”

The Summer Reading Program, held in June and July, encouraged young readers to explore the joy of reading and nurture a lifelong love for books beyond the classroom.

Now in its tenth year, the Mount Prospect Public Library's Summer Reading Challenge continues to track enrollment and reward schools for their participation.

“Our Summer Reading Program is dedicated to promoting literacy, but the scope of our mission at the library extends far beyond that,” said Megan Smith, Elementary School Outreach Coordinator at the library. ” When caregivers read with their child, providing their child with their full attention, they demonstrate interest not just in reading, but in the child themselves. Our intention is to strengthen our community, one family at a time, whether that is building bonds through a storytime, creating a craft, reading at home, enjoying tasty food, or an exciting baseball game with one of our local sponsors. Congratulations to Westbrook School for Young Learners!”

To celebrate the accomplishment, Westbrook students were treated to a joyful event that included paper crowns, a reading of the story The Duck Never Blinks, and a lively freeze-dance party with Monty the Duck, the library’s mascot.