Lisbon Library held their first Dog Tales story event Wednesday, Jan. 22.
The event encouraged youth to come and read to Tilly a certified therapy dog.
Readers could select a book of their choice to read with Tilly. It’s an opportunity for youth to both practice skills and to have positive and affirming experiences with books and with the library.
Oliver, one of the participants, was excited to share with Tilly a picture book of things you can see on the farm, and included his renditions of noises you can hear from the animals on the page. He was excited to be reading to Tilly at the event.
Despite the light snowfall Wednesday afternoon, there were a handful who made it to read to Tilly for the day.
About Dog Tales:
The story time encourages youth to read to Tilly, a trained therapy dog, along with Tilly’s handler.
Readers are “old enough” to participate when they can engage with a book independently and be safe and respectful with our animal visitors–we’re not necessarily looking for a specific level of phonic fluency. Readers under 8 should be accompanied by an adult.
Lisbon Library director Elizabeth Hoover de Galvez recommended The Enchanted Hour: The Miraculous Power of Reading Aloud in the Age of Distraction by Meghan Cox Gurdon as a related book which highlights the benefits of reading aloud.
“[The book] describes how reading aloud makes adults and children smarter, happier, healthier, more successful and more closely attached, even as technology pulls in the other direction . . . and explains the cognitive and social-emotional benefits that await children, whatever their class, nationality or family background.”
The next Dog Tales reading opportunities are February 26, 4-4:30 p.m., March 26, 4-4:30 p.m. and April 23, 4-4:30 p.m. at Lisbon Library.