Reading is its own reward. But a free ticket to Dutch Wonderland's fourth annual Readers Jamboree Weekend is nice too.

Children ages 6-12 who met the requirements of the Library System of Lancaster County summer reading program will be among those enjoying the Route 30 amusement park 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Saturday and Sunday, Sept. 26-27.  In addition to the usual rides and attractions, they'll find books and authors.

Some authors are homegrown and well-known: Ken Munro, author of the Sammy & Brian Mystery Series; Sandy Asher, creator of the "Froggy" picture books; and Kelly Ann Lynch, who wrote about 9/11 hero Father Mychal Judge.

One new author, visiting from the Washington, D.C., area,  is Mignon Pinson, author of "Angel Bee From Heaven," illustrated by Vanessa Richardson.

Pinson's 5-year-old daughter, Maya,  being "very inquisitive about nature" and "our little angel," inspired her mother to create the character.  Though many children are afraid of bees, they're not afraid of Angel Bee, who is loving and caring and "instills strong values in children"  regarding kindness, Pinson said.

The colorful art is attractive to  nonreaders, and the text is geared to  beginning readers  up to about age 9, she added.

Pinson's soon-to-be-released book, "My Two Best Friends Are Hamsters" emphasizes "how to be strong, make right decisions" and that "it's OK  have pets as best friends." It's dedicated to her 19-year-old daughter, Brittany.

Other authors appearing at the park  include: Toni Albert and Joe Kulka, who have visited the area before, and Marie Coffer, Georgia Anne Butler, Daryl Cobb, Pete Trabucco and Ellen Langas Campbell.

Storybook characters such as  The Cat in the Hat, Madeline, Max the Bunny, the Berenstain Bears  and Skippy Jon Jones will attend too.

Call 1-866-FUNatDW or log on to DutchWonderland.com for more program details. blog comments powered by Disqus