Sarah Rehborg, head of Youth Services at the Peter White Public Library, shows the “flamingo theme” for a special reading program at the library. New this year is a miniature flamingo habitat for participants. (Journal photo by Christie Mastric)

MARQUETTE — It’s winter and there’s still a pandemic. Fortunately, there’s a way for youngsters to bring a little color into their lives and learn at the same time.

The Peter White Public Library is holding its second annual Flamingos in the Snow program for youths up to age 14. The program runs through the end of March, as does the library’s first Teens Read Winter Reading program for kids in grades seven through 12. Individuals with overlapping ages can choose one program or the other.

Both programs involve reading books, and then filling out and returning logs before they receive a prize, said Sarah Rehborg, head of Youth Services at the PWPL.

“They can keep turning in as many reading logs as they want until March 31,” Rehborg said.

As long as supplies last, when youngsters register they receive a plastic flamingo to place in the snow, she said.

This time around, however, there’s a little something extra for participants.

“This year, the kids are also going to get a miniature flamingo and a miniature flamingo habitat,” Rehborg said, “and then every time they turn in a reading log, they get a new friend or place or food item to add to their little miniature flamingo habitat.”

Teens will fill out a log and then it in, she noted. Every time they turn in a log, it increases their chances of winning a $50 gift card for the Thomas Theatre Group.

Individuals can register by visiting pwpl.info and clicking on Youth Services. The programs can be found in the drop-down menu.

The flamingo project was funded by the Friends of the Peter White Public Library.

“Winter reading is a great program for kids to participate in because it helps keep them motivated and interested in reading, especially in these coldest months when you can’t play outside for too long,” Rehborg said. “Flamingos in the Snow is entirely choice based — kids get to choose what books they want to read, they get to choose from a selection of prizes every time they return a reading log and they get to have a lot of fun doing it.”

Of course, youngsters can absorb a lot of creativity and imagination by reading, which can last a lifetime. But what happens to the flamingos after the program ends?

Rehborg said said youngsters can keep the small flamingos, but the larger ones are a different story, depending on the feelings that can develop.

“We are asking that they turn them back in at the end of the program if they are willing to do so,” she said. “Some of the kids do wind up a little bit attached and want to keep them, so that’s also fine.”

Other programs offered

Youth Services staff offers weekly story times for babies and preschoolers, after-school programming for elementary students, and junior teen and teen library board monthly meetings.

Details can be found at www.pwpl. info under Youth Services where people also can sign up for a weekly newsletter.