Library Story Time: A Summer Tradition

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June 5, 2012 by CassieCravings

Some of my favorite summer memories growing were going to Story Time at our local library. There were songs, poetry readings and beautiful picture books read by an animated Mrs. Reads-A-Lot. Shelf after shelf was loaded with endless possibilities and adventure. I could barely stand under the weight of the must-have books to check out for the week.

A couple of decades later, I get to pass this tradition onto baby Eli. I have had the summer session of Summer Story Time circled in my planner for weeks. I adore reading. I crave for my son to have such a passion.

This morning we squeezed into a bright and noisy room. Toddlers bounced about the room. And at the front stood Mrs. Reads-A-Lot. She was just as animated, just as magical and just as loving as I remembered.

Eli looked at me nervously as we walked in. He shyly settled into his seat. He peered at the bolder toddlers dancing about the room. It took a few minutes, but he warmed up. Soon he was giggling and clapping his hands. By the end, he was sitting on the floor as close to the books as he could physically be.

“Count ‘dem, Mama!”

After Story Time, I walked Eli down the aisles of books. He kept saying, “So cool! Mama, count ‘dem! I read ‘dis one!” We settled in floor every few steps to read a new book. Sometimes I would read to him. Sometimes he would “read” to me.

We read about the jungle and about our favorite big red dog. We read about sharing and about feelings. We poured over books for nearly an hour.

I finally declared, “Last one”. We read that book extra slowly, taking in every colorful illustration and giggling over every page.

As we left, my little one said, “I come back to ‘da lib-burry, Mama? I read to yous again?”

piles of books

Only six more days until the next Story Time, and I am counting down.

a little hide-and-seek on the outdoor reading patio