Library’s story time a fun introduction to reading

One of the finest gems in North Idaho can be found at the Coeur d’Alene Public Library, where Thursday nights bring parents and children together for Family Story Time.

The program began two years ago and is keyed to preschool through primary-grade kids to help them gain an appreciation for reading books at an early age.

Susan Thorpe, Youth Services supervisor, decides what the themes will be throughout the year and then chooses appropriate books highlighting the themes. The theme for the winter story program was “Under the Sea.”

Some of the books read aloud to the children by library clerks Ruth Nelson and Peggy Smith were “Commotion in the Ocean” by Giles Andreae, “The Rainbow Fish” by Marcus Pfister and “Way Down Deep in the Deep Blue Sea” by Jan Peck.

After a book is read, Nelson and Smith lead the children to a nearby table where they work on a craft project relating to the story they just heard.

“Story Time has a long history at the Coeur d’Alene library, starting in 1945,” said Nelson. She said it’s only the Family Story Time program – or “overtime reading,” as she referred to it – that started two years ago.

“The purpose of all our reading programs is to introduce children to books and encourage them to read,” Nelson said. “To see kids become engrossed in the story, then ask questions or share their thoughts about it is a wonderful thing to be part of.”

Patron Stacy Norris agrees. Norris said that after she and her family moved to Coeur d’Alene a few months ago from Portland, she was pleased to find the library here offers the family reading program.

Norris said her boys Chase and Connor look forward to Thursday nights at the library, and she believes the program has helped improve their reading and vocabulary skills.

“The librarians put so much time and effort into making the kids and parents feel welcome,” said Norris. “I wish all parents with young children had the opportunity to attend the program.”

Recently, special guest and children’s author Star Livingstone was invited to read from her book, “Harley,” to mark the conclusion of the winter session. “Harley” was published by North Star Books in 2001 and has been listed as a noteworthy book for children.

Livingstone, in Coeur d’Alene visiting her son, Aaron; his wife, Michele; and their two children, said “Harley” was drawn from her personal account of observing the llama while she and her family lived in a tepee in eastern Massachusetts.

Her friend and renowned illustrator Molly Bang encouraged Livingstone to write the book after she had heard her tell so many stories about the animal.

At Family Story Time, the children’s eyes opened wide as they gasped with delight upon hearing the author describe the antics of Harley the guard llama as he protected sheep from coyotes and became good friends with a ram.

In a private conversation with Livingstone, she said she was thrilled to be reading from her book at the Coeur d’Alene library because libraries have so much to offer a community. She said that when she was a young girl, her mother would take her once a week to visit the library. It was in an old Victorian house.

“I love libraries. They are absolutely important,” said Livingstone. “It’s vital that we protect our libraries and teach children how valuable they are. Libraries create a place for us to share books with our children, and a love of reading.”