Summer is over but – Story Time is not. Story Time is a program that Cole Library offers year round on Thursday mornings at 9:30 a.m. The Story Time program lasts about half an hour and includes three stories, each followed by a song or finger play, and ends with a simple arts and crafts activity. Behind the scenes, I have spent time looking at the pieces of early literacy – print motivation, print awareness, narrative skills, vocabulary, and phonological awareness – and put together a theme with books that strengthen these skills for participants. Then I add a dash of fun and a touch of silliness, and story time is ready!

If your child is in a day care setting and unable to attend Story Time, we do offer a monthly Book Buddies program. Book Buddies is a free library delivery service to in-home day care providers within the city limits of Mount Vernon. To sign up for Book Buddies or learn more about it, email me at [email protected].

For children unable to attend story time we also offer Story Time to Go bags. Story Time to Go follows the Story Time format used in the library. Each bag includes three books, two songs or finger plays, and a simple craft. For the craft, we will provide everything but scissors, glue, or tape. The Story Time to Go Bags are located on the first floor near the Book Sale Shelf. They are not in the Children’s Room but clearly marked and easy to spot.

I hope to see our preschool patrons at Story Time or at their daycare when I drop off books. The first three years of listening to stories, playing with books, and learning new words are truly the building blocks for language and literacy development – not to mention great fun!