Families enjoy a summer escape with 'Books on the Beach'

A teacher and two children acting out a story. — Bristol Wynn, center, and Brooklynn Brown, right, help tell the story of "Henny Penny" to a small crowd of young listeners on April 7, 2022. Retired Wadena-Deer Creek teacher Carol Tornquist, left, smiled along as students tried out their lines.

By Pioneer Journal staff

April 08, 2022 at 1:05 PM

WADENA — A fresh ice cream cone. Your favorite book to help you unwind. The palm trees shading your view. The sand sinking into your toes. The waves sparkling bright.

Wadena-Deer Creek families caught this summer spirit on an indoor escape from winter. Kids from preschool to sixth grade returned eager to read and select new books at the Books on the Beach event.

Two young boys look at books. — While on their summer escape, children searched through books during the Books on the Beach event on April 7, 2022.

A male reading to a group of students. — Wadena-Deer Creek elementary principal Louis Rutten shares about wishes while reading to a group of students on April 7, 2022.

While on their short summer vacation, families swapped books, played bingo, heard stories from teachers and enjoyed ice cream.

The event, hosted by WDC Title I, Early Childhood Family Education, preschool and West Central Minnesota Communities Action Head Start, returned after three years with a new theme. The event was previously called Ice Cream for Books.

Two females reading a book to children. — With constant book requests, Wadena-Deer Creek paraprofessional Connie Collins, right, and her daughter Bethany Collins, left, tell the "Chicka Chicka Boom Boom" story on April 7, 2022.

People dressed in summer wear at a table. — With their summer-themed outfits, a crowd gathered to play bingo at the Books on the Beach event on April 7, 2022.