As the mercury starts to climb, the Surprise Public Library System is launching a cool program for kids, promising a splash of education and entertainment right in the local pools. "Storytime at the Pool" will mix tales, tunes and a sprinkle of water play, catering to youngsters five and under – because nothing says summer quite like a dip in the pool with a side of Dr. Seuss.

Starting this June, kiddie splashing and storytelling collide at the Surprise Aquatic Center and Hollyhock Pool, where sessions kick off at a kiddo-friendly 11 a.m. sharp, it's free, it’s fun, and it’s yet another attempt to instill the love of reading in the little ones, siblings can tag along and parents, well, they have to stick around – because unattended toddlers at a poolside is a recipe for chaos and a no-go in the playbook of water safety 101.

Mark your calendars or smartphones for June 6 and July 11 at the Surprise Aquatic Center, located at 15831 N. Bullard Ave., and if you can't make it, there's a repeat splashdown at Hollyhock Pool, 15808 N. Hollyhock St., on June 20 and July 25. With splashes and stories on the agenda, the SPLS is stepping up its game to combine learning with play, a coupling as timeless as peanut butter and jelly.

In an ever-evolving effort to keep our littles learning while they paddle, the SPLS initiative is more than a simple story time, it's a chance to familiarize tykes with the water in a setting that's safe, supervised and, let's face it, likely to sap their endless energy in the best possible way; for those hankering for more details or looking to pencil this into their summer must-dos, a quick call to 623.222.2000 should do the trick, or just visit their website for the scoop.