When schools take a vacation, area libraries step in to feed the minds of Miss-Lou little ones.

Libraries on both sides of the river are currently registering preschool through sixth-graders for their summer reading programs.

In Concordia Parish, the theme is &uot;Splish Splash.&uot; Preschoolers will meet weekly at 9:30 a.m. on Tuesdays in Vidalia and on Thursdays in Ferriday.

First- through fifth-grade will meet at 10:15 a.m. at Concordia Bank in Monterey on Mondays, at the Vidalia library on Tuesdays, at the Ferriday library on Thursdays and at the Clayton library on Fridays. Teenagers will meet at 11:15 in Vidalia on Tuesdays, in Ferriday on Thursdays and in Clayton on Fridays.

The free programs will include a magician, storytellers and a puppeteer. The first program will be on June 9.

At the Armstrong Library in Natchez this summer’s theme will be &uot;Funtastic Reading&uot; under the circus tent.

The summer program will kick off on June 2 with a performance by the Puppet Arts Theatre of Jackson at the Natchez Convention Center at 10 a.m. and 2 p.m.

A grant from the Mississippi Arts Commission and Zion Chapel made the puppet show possible, Children’s Librarian Janet Echols Minor said.

Starting June 7, the children will meet weekly at the library for a series of other programs. First- through third-graders will meet on Tuesdays from 10 to 11:30, fourth- through sixth-graders will meet on Thursdays from 10 to 11:30 and pre-K through kindergarten will meet on Fridays from 10 to 10:30.

The addition of a separate program for the pre-K and kindergarten students is a new thing for the library this year, Minor said. In the past, an hour and a half has been too long for the younger children.

Programs will include visits from special guests Ronald McDonald, the Natchez Police Department’s drug dog, a local veterinarian and an expert on Native American culture.

Registration started on May 16 and will continue until the program starts. All area children are invited to attend free of charge.

Minor has visited all local schools and many daycares to spread the word.

Last year’s program had about 1,000 children participate, but Minor is hoping for more this year.

&uot;More children have gotten library cards,&uot; she said. &uot;It will give them another option of something they can do during summer months to improve your reading skills.&uot;