Cook Library launches new season of popular story times
Reading to children is a key contributor to early literacy. This fall, Cook Memorial Public Library District is expanding story times to reach even more youngsters. A new story-time season begins Tuesday, Sept. 24, and runs through Friday, Nov. 1, at Cook Park Library, 413 N. Milwaukee Ave., Libertyville and Aspen Drive Library, 701 Aspen Drive, Vernon Hills. New this fall is a Wednesday afternoon Not Naptime Hullabaloo at Cook Park Library. There will also be two off-site story times, at a nearby orchard and forest preserve.
Story times are more than a chance for parents to be silly with their children; they get little ones excited about books and reading as well as encourage the development of essential prereading skills such as sound and letter recognition, knowing the names of things and knowing how books work. Numerous studies have shown that even newborns benefit from being read to, with those benefits continuing and compounding throughout the preschool years.
The Not Naptime Hullabaloo, beginning 2 p.m. Wednesday, Sept. 25, is for children 2—4 years old “who want to dance instead of nap.” Some children this age are transitioning to a schedule that doesn’t include an afternoon nap or includes a shorter nap; recognizing this, library staff has prepared an engaging program that will feature a different type of music each week and allow children to make music of their own. Not Naptime Hullabaloo continues every Wednesday through Oct. 30.
At 10:30 a.m. on Saturday, Sept. 28, Cook Library takes story time to Heinz Apple Orchard, 1050 Crest Road, Green Oaks, for a read-aloud among the fruit trees, with a focus on apples. Attendees should wear walking shoes, dress for the weather and meet at the orchard. If raining, the event will not be held.
On Saturday, Oct. 19 at 10:30 a.m., the library’s storytellers return to Daniel Wright Woods, Saint Mary’s Road & Everett Road, Mettawa, after a highly successful read-aloud held at the Lake County Forest Preserve this summer. Participants will make the half-mile hike around the pond, pausing for stories along the trail. This event will take place rain or shine; attendees should dress for the weather, with raincoats, boots and umbrellas if need be.
The library’s regular roster of story times is back, too. Baby Time, simple songs and activities for children 0—24 months, and Toddler Story Time, read-alouds, songs and activities for 1- and 2-year-olds, are held Tuesday and Thursday mornings. Story Time for 2-Year-Olds is held Wednesday and Friday mornings. Family Story Time, for children age 3 and up, is held Tuesday and Thursday mornings as well as Wednesday evenings. For locations, dates and times, please visit www.cooklib.org or ask at the library. Story times are drop-ins; no registration required.
Cook Memorial Public Library District serves patrons in Libertyville, Vernon Hills, Mundelein, Green Oaks and Lake Forest.
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