NATCHEZ &8212; Local libraries are hoping to make it easy for parents to convince their kids to do some summer reading this year by luring them in with snakes, magic and puppet shows, ancient animal bones and characters like Ronald McDonald and the Shoney&8217;s Bear.

All this is at their local library.

The Natchez Armstrong Library and Concordia Parish libraries are kicking off their summer reading programs for children pre-kindergarten and up. Both libraries will also have special events including:

guest readers and presentations from guest speakers.

Fridays from June 2 to July 7 Armstrong Library will have its summer reading program beginning with pre-kindergarten through kindergarten at 10-10:30 a.m. and teens reading program from 2 to 2:30 p.m.

June 1 at the Natchez Convention Center, Armstrong will host Terri L. Vandeventer from the Living Reptiles Museum in Jackson to talk about and present live snakes and other reptiles.

June 8 Debbie Guillory and Veronica Duncan from Miss Lou Veterinary Clinic will speak to children about the importance of animal care.

Also Jim Barnett from the Grand Village of the Natchez Indians will give children a chance to identify bones and other artifacts of animals that archeologists use to find out what and how the Indians hunted and ate.

June 15 Glenda Wilson, Office of Vocation Rehab for the Blind counselor, will come and demonstrate to children how the blind use special methods to complete daily activities. Wilson will also talk about blind- seeing-eye dogs and bring examples of braile. Natchez State Park ranger Roddy Powell will discuss simple fishing techniques that kids can enjoy this summer.

June 22 Byron Garrity from Bluff City Veterinary Hospital and Bennie Boone of the American Medical Response Ambulance Service will give a teach children the importance of taking care of their pets. There will also be a special appearance by the Shoney&8217;s Bear, and motivational speaker Kevin Harris will talk about the importance of a good education, reading and libraries.

July 6 Ronald McDonald will be at Armstrong Library to talk with children.

Concordia Parish Library begins its summer reading program from June 5 to July 14.

Pre-school children ages three through five will start at 9:30 a.m., children first grade through fifth grade at 10:15 a.m. and teens at 11: 15 a.m.

June 8 and 13 special guest readers will visit.

June 22, puppeteer Harvey Rabbit will put on a show at 10:15 a.m. and on June 29 puppeteer, Karen Konnerth, will put on a show at 2 p.m. On July 11 Glenn Girardi will perform a magic show for children at 10:15 a.m.All guest readings and special events will be held at Concordia Bank.

For information about Armstrong Library summer program contact Janet Minor at (601) 445-8862 and for information about Concordia Parish Library summer program contact Amanda Taylor at (318) 336-5043.