ALABASTER – The Albert L. Scott Library’s 2019 Summer Challenge Reading Program culminated on Wednesday, July 17, with a finale program that featured a magic show, face painting and prize drawings.

There was standing room only in the library’s meeting room as magician Russell Davis entertained the crowd with magic tricks and witty jokes. Before and after the magic show, Jennie Bunton painted pictures of unicorns, snakes and much more onto the faces of eager children.

Youth Services Librarian Frances Smith said about 480 children from babies up to age 18 signed up to participate in the annual reading program. Throughout the program children had opportunities to participate in programs such as a theatre workshops, paint parties, animal exhibits, a cooking lesson and much more.

The program also tied in Alabama Bicentennial into the program by hosting a program called Going to the Moon that educated children about Alabama’s contribution to the moon landing in 1969.

Smith said this year’s program had a much better turnout than prior years. At the beginning of the program, children set a goal for how many books they wanted to read this summer. Children 10 and younger who reached their reading goal had their names entered in a drawing to win a bicycle and other goodies.

“A lot of kids far surpassed their goal,” Smith said.

Smith said there were some kids who read as many as 120-130 books. The winner of the bike, which was donated to the library by Hoover-based Bike Link, was Ben Webster. Those who participated in the drama workshops were eligible to enter a prize drawing to win one of two $325 scholarships to attend a five-day musical theater program at the Alabama Shakespeare Festival in Montgomery. The two winners were Isabella Stiltner and Patricia Wynn.