Story Hour: A True Tale Of Children and Books

MILLERTON — Every week children have a chance to enter a world of wonder, gathered around children’s librarian Helen Warren at the NorthEast-Millerton Library.

"They’re getting early exposure to books," Warren said. "They know how to handle books, they learn emergent literacy skills to prepare them for education once they start school, all of this is very important. And children learn by play, so playing is a very important part of education for children, especially at this age. It all helps the brain in thinking in so many ways. It helps the knowledge to take root."

Warren is animated as she reads old classics and new favorites to young children who, for the most part, look like they love to participate.

"We come to story hour every week," said Susan Parker, mom to 3-year-old Amos. "And we love books."

Like Parker, Tempe Croke brings her two sons to the library for entertainment and for literature.

"My kids love to come here to use the computer and to get books out and books on tape," she said. "We home-school and the library is an amazing resource for us. Helen has done a lot of stuff and we come to a lot of the programs that she does."

And that’s exactly why the library endorses Warren’s work.

"We just can’t emphasize how important early literacy is. Kids who read are just better students," said library Board President Dianne Price. "It’s just so important. I was a teacher for 31 years and every day I would read to my kids, and now I’m delighted to work with the library. And we’re always excited to get as many people in as we can."

And that’s sometimes up to 21 people for her story time sessions, according to Warren.

"It’s important that children have access to books before they get into school so they have a joy of reading that’s a lifelong thing," Warren said. "It’s something that they want to do. And it’s much easier to do something when it’s something that you enjoy."

"It really does affect their education. There are so many studies that prove if a child is familiar with books and loves to read, that they’ll do a whole lot better in school," said library Director Midge Quick, adding that the library’s story hour also provides modeling for parents and caretakers to learn how to read to their children on a daily basis. "Reading is really the important foundation that they are all going to depend on."

"You can even read to babies," Warren said, adding that it’s never too early to start reading to one’s child. As an adult, she said she also takes something away from the experience. "I just love sharing my passion for books with other children."

For those who are interested in story hour there are two sessions: Tuesdays are for 2- and 3-year-olds and Thursdays are for 4- and 5-year-olds. All sessions begin at 4 p.m. The current story hour session (based on a 10-week schedule) is set to expire March 13 and March 15. The next session will commence April 17. There is no preregistration required nor do children have to attend all 10 story hours to participate.