BETHLEHEM, Pa. — Children and their families learned some lessons Monday morning at Bethlehem Area Public Library, courtesy of colorful children's books read to the group by the city’s top leader, Mayor J. William Reynolds.
The titles offered some lifelong wisdom, such as teamwork, self-care, communication and being careful what you wish for.
- Bethlehem's mayor read to kids on Monday as part of "Storytime with the Mayor"
- Bethlehem Area Public Library hosted the showing
- BAPL will have more Storytime events throughout the summer
Reynolds read through “Mighty, Mighty Construction Site,” “The Pigeon Wants a Puppy!,” “The Day the Crayons Quit,” “Creepy Carrots!” and “LaRue for Mayor,” stopping suddenly at times for bursts of commentary from the young literary whizzes.
“This is a fantastic opportunity for children to learn about their local government, meet their mayor, and have fun,” a library news release stated.
“The event is part of the library’s ongoing commitment to providing engaging programs for children and families in the Bethlehem community.”
Reading is crucial
Julia Brennan, BAPL Youth Services librarian, said that even if the children maybe don’t remember much because of the excitement from the event, books still are important for their development.
“Everything’s social interaction. They get the fond memory of being in the library and hanging out with other kids their own age. … Sometimes there’s thriller mysteries, sometimes it’s epic fantasies, and [it] just helps build your imagination, so to speak, and really kind of takes you out of the current world you’re in.”
Julia Brennan, BAPL Youth Services librarian
“Everything’s social interaction,” Brennan said. “They get the fond memory of being in the library and hanging out with other kids their own age.
“Sometimes there’s thriller mysteries, sometimes it’s epic fantasies and [it] just helps build your imagination, so to speak, and really kind of takes you out of the current world you’re in.”
BAPL Head of Youth Services Edana Hoy said using traditional reading methods, among others, is crucial for children of all ages.
“We always promote reading from birth, right up through high school. It’s very important to have children connect with physical books, because that really impresses upon their mind in many different sensory ways.”
Edana Hoy, head of BAPL Youth Services
“We always promote reading from birth, right up through high school,” Hoy said. “It’s very important to have children connect with physical books, because that really impresses upon their mind in many different sensory ways.”
Storytimes for all
A good page-turner can help with their reading comprehension, and reading over the summer makes for a seamless transition for when school rolls back around, Hoy added.
If you’re interested in bringing the little ones along for a BAPL Storytime event, the readings will begin for the summer starting next week, taking place every Monday, Tuesday and Thursday, Brennan said.
Have the whole family stop by Mondays for Family Storytime. Tuesdays are for the toddlers and older ages as they’ll learn more about stories in science, technology, engineering and mathematics, or STEM. Thursdays are for the youngest of the bunch with Baby Storytime.
Brennan also said a Sign Language Storytime will begin this Thursday and continue through the month of June.
For those summertime bookworms, BAPL offers a program for kids to earn prizes and gift cards.
Hoy wanted to remind everyone to visit the connected library locations, including the satellite library at BAPL Coolidge in Bethlehem Township, Books on the Hill Bookmobile in Fountain Hill, as well as the BAPL Southside Branch at Fourth and Webster streets in Bethlehem.