Local Bookstore gives back to the community
By Novella Fry
ORLANDO, Fla. - Waldenbooks in the Florida mall held a story time for local kids Saturday, October 4th, 2008. “Borders’ has always been active in the local communities” says the store’s manager Carol Rief. She continued to say. “My own grandchildren come to story time. It’s a great way to sample the newest children books.”
Reifs grandchildren were indeed in attendance along with the two other children as the book seller Christian Brant, 31, read selected titles. The bear snores on and The bear wants more were Ashley Cohen’s, age 6, top choices, saying that the “pictures were my favorite”.
A total of four books were read including The bear snores on and The bear wants more both by Karma Wilson (Author), Jane Chapman (Illustrator), as well as an excerpt from Diary of a Wimpy Kid by Jeff Kenny and the Eve of the Emperor Penguin by Mary Pope Osborne during the 30 minute story time.
“This was kind of a trial for our store” said Brant who went on to say that if it seemed to go well that it would be done more frequently throughout Borders and Waldenbooks in the Orlando area.
Information on future story times is available at borders.com.
Wednesday, October 8, 2008
Monday, September 22, 2008
Book Signing/Reading at Waldenbooks
Early History Lessons
By Novella Fry
Slavery isn’t something that is easily spoken of with our children. Yet Last Saturday September 20th, 2008 that is just what took place in the Waldenbooks store in the Florida mall.
The author of Abraham the Alligator, Paula Allene Stark hosted a book signing and reading where the historical events of Abraham Lincoln’s involvement in the civil war and the freeing of the slaves took center stage.
Accompanied by her daughter who dressed up as the playful kid friendly Alligator version of Abe Lincoln, Paula introduced her book for the first time to the handful of children and Parents who came to be entertained and informed.
“History is important for all ages and the sooner they are exposed to it, the better.” Says Stark who uses frogs to depict slaves, an alligator to introduce our 16th president, and instead of the south the story takes place in a pond divided.
Some applauded her efforts such as Sarah Wildmon who brought her 3rd grade cousin out to the reading and nabbed a signed copy of the book saying “Fairy tales are a dime a dozen, this information will come in handy”. Others felt it was a topic best left for more advanced grade levels. “I don’t think I want to answer questions about slavery to my child just yet” says Joy-Anne Shrewsbury that decided half way through the reading to relocate to a different section of the bookstore with her four year old son.
Though critics were present in the audience the overall mood of the Abraham the Alligator reading was one of enjoyment. Mrs. Stark kept the attention of the children who came out and almost everyone left a little more knowledgeable and with one more book to add to their home library.
By Novella Fry
Slavery isn’t something that is easily spoken of with our children. Yet Last Saturday September 20th, 2008 that is just what took place in the Waldenbooks store in the Florida mall.
The author of Abraham the Alligator, Paula Allene Stark hosted a book signing and reading where the historical events of Abraham Lincoln’s involvement in the civil war and the freeing of the slaves took center stage.
Accompanied by her daughter who dressed up as the playful kid friendly Alligator version of Abe Lincoln, Paula introduced her book for the first time to the handful of children and Parents who came to be entertained and informed.
“History is important for all ages and the sooner they are exposed to it, the better.” Says Stark who uses frogs to depict slaves, an alligator to introduce our 16th president, and instead of the south the story takes place in a pond divided.
Some applauded her efforts such as Sarah Wildmon who brought her 3rd grade cousin out to the reading and nabbed a signed copy of the book saying “Fairy tales are a dime a dozen, this information will come in handy”. Others felt it was a topic best left for more advanced grade levels. “I don’t think I want to answer questions about slavery to my child just yet” says Joy-Anne Shrewsbury that decided half way through the reading to relocate to a different section of the bookstore with her four year old son.
Though critics were present in the audience the overall mood of the Abraham the Alligator reading was one of enjoyment. Mrs. Stark kept the attention of the children who came out and almost everyone left a little more knowledgeable and with one more book to add to their home library.
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