MOUNT HOLLY—This fall, the Mount Holly Town Library was one of only 12 libraries to be awarded a grant from the Children’s Literacy Foundation (CLiF). The library received $2,000 worth of new books for the library’s children’s collection, plus a storytelling presentation at the Town Library for kindergarten through sixth grade. In spring 2015 CLiF will arrange to send a children’s book author to give a special presentation to all the children, and at that event every child will be able to select a new book to keep.
On Tuesday, Nov. 25, Mount Holly kindergarten through sixth grade came to the library to see the many books the library was receiving. Duncan McDougall, executive director of CLiF, held up some of the books and talked about his reading experiences and asked the children about where they loved to read and what they loved to read. Duncan then read the delightful story “My Lucky Day” by Keiko Kasza. His animated reading gave life to this tale about a pig that knocks on the door of a fox. The fox of course thinks it’s his lucky day when he grabs the yummy looking pig. The wily pig outfoxes the fox by thinking of ways to prolong his stay and eventually exhausts the fox with his requests and is able to make a hasty retreat. The children were enthralled with the story and responded with enthusiasm during the reading.
Duncan also treated the Mount Holly preschool to a storytelling session at the Mount Holly School in the morning, and the Mount Holly Playgroup and the Devereux Day Care were invited to attend with the preschool. At that event each child was able to pick out a book to keep. Julie Goraj, school librarian, was also on hand to receive free books for the Mount Holly School Library provided through the grant.
“We are thrilled that Mount Holly children could profit from these great opportunities and fun events. Each CLiF award is funded by individual donors, and Mount Holly’s special day was made possible by the Saunders family, who just happen to have a cabin here in Mount Holly,” said Lynne Herbst, librarian, in a Dec. 16 release. “We were honored that one of the Saunders family, Carolyn Ellis, was able to attend the event and as the children filed out to go back to school they stopped to thank her and tell her the title of their favorite book. This was an exciting advantage for the children of our community and we look forward to CLiF returning in the spring for the author visit and a new book for each child.
“We are grateful to principal Hutt Vater and the teachers for incorporating this event into their busy teaching schedule. There are many little ways to enlarge your child’s world; love of books is the best of all. Thank you Children’s Literacy Foundation!!”