GALLERY: Summer Reading Kickoff

Children with painted faces and ice-cream covered hands excitedly accepted balloon animals made by the Matawan-Aberdeen Youth Services Librarians on Sunday at the annual Summer Reading Kickoff.

Teen volunteers were there to paint faces, give temporary tattoos and play games with the children.

Friaan Kotval attended the event with her daughters, 7-year-old Mehr and 8-year-old Tinaz. She brought them to the kickoff to show them that learning is fun.

"They love to see their friends and it makes the library seem like fun place, not just a scholastic place. It encourages them to read," Kotval said.

After having fun outside, parents brought their children inside the library to sign them up for the summer reading program. This year's theme is "One World, Many Stories."

"We want to put a real positive light on the library for kids and show them that the lirbary is a really great and fun place to be," said Library Director Kimberly Paone.

There was also a magician, a raffle and prizes.