Just like a healthy diet is important to physical development, a balanced variety of books can help improve reading.Bermuda’s public libraries have organised Reading is Delicious, a summer programme based on the framework of the food pyramid.The pyramid has healthy foods in proliferation at the bottom and unhealthy foods in small quantities at the top.However the reading programme doesn’t categorise one literary meal as being better than another, but encourages sampling of a variety of genres.The Youth Library on Church Street programme runs through August 18 and includes movie showings on Wednesday mornings and afternoons, for $3. Children involved get prizes if they read a certain number of books in a certain number of genres.“The children have two reading levels that they can fulfill the requirements for in order to get prizes and the readers certificates,” said Marla Smith. “The food pyramid might recommend you have two to five servings of fruit and vegetables. In our programme, each serving represents a different genre. You could choose to read two different genres, or you could choose five, for example.”The programme hopes to get people out of the habit of reading the same type of book all the time.“Sometimes the children will come back and say, ‘I liked that book. I don’t usually read mysteries, or whatever’,” said Ms Smith. “Now they might go back and expand their reading. I think a lot of the children like general fiction and fairy tales. You also have your mystery buffs. The boys always love the graphic novels section.”Prizes will include backpacks filled with back-to-school supplies and other goodies. The programme is open to children four years old and up. parents are allowed to read to children who are unable.Members of The Bermuda National Library on Queen Street must read one book from six different categories and fill out a reading log to win. There is also a filmmaking contest. Participants are asked to make a light-hearted film following the theme, ‘Reading is Sooo Delicious’. The deadline is August 11 at 5pm. Films must be between one and three minutes long.Readers are also encouraged to decorate a cake around the theme of their favourite book, with ‘Reading is Sooo Delicious’ written somewhere on it. The competition is open to amateurs only. Registration must be by August 18 at 5pm. Judging will take place at the Bermuda National Library on August 25 at 6pm.For more information visit the Bermuda National Library website, www.bnl.bm, or their Facebook page. Alternatively, telephone 295-3104. Register for the cake making contest by August 18 at 5pm.