Community Leaders are Readers in Homewood Library Program

As part of the  “Community Leaders Are Readers” program, the library welcomed community leaders to read to the Kindergarten through second grade storyhour during the month of October. President Richard Hofeld explained how important books are to him and that he had cherished memories of travelling to Marshall Field’s book department as a child to pick out a special book. After stressing the value of free books and media at the library, he and K-2 storyhour participant Claire Schneider then read a book to the storyhour children.

Greg Weiss, drama and speech teacher at , captivated the K-2 Storyhour children with his storytelling of “The Wind and the Sun” and “The Pigeon and the Ant,” two of Aesop’s fables.

 Lt. Bill Wright also related his enjoyment of books and the importance of reading. After reading a firefighter storybook to the children, he demonstrated and had the children practice covering their faces and rolling to put out a fire. Lt. Wright patiently answered questions and dispelled misconceptions about what to do in a fire—for example, never jump out a second story to escape flames or return to the house to retrieve something.

 Environmental Education Coordinator Kelly Joslin read “Be Nice to Spiders” for the Wednesday K-2 Halloween storyhour. Ms. Joslin described the importance of reading about those insects that sometimes frighten children and why we shouldn’t kill them. She also brought pictures and information about local spiders and their benefit to nature.

Dressed as a scarecrow,  Commissioner Pat Nevins entertained the Thursday K-2 Halloween storyhour with his rendition of “Who Stole My Hairy Toe?” Delighted, children laughed and screamed as Mr. Nevins stomped his feet and roared the refrain. The children were amazed to learn that Mr. Nevins is also a librarian and a thespian.