Decked out in patriotic décor, The Vero Beach Book Center hosted an early Fourth of July commemoration last Saturday morning, inviting youngsters to do what they do best – make lots of noise. The air was punctuated with the sounds of “fireworks” as children popped their way through oodles of bubble wrap at the Book Center’s annual Bubble Wrap Explosion.
Susann Pezzetti, who has worked at the Book Center 18 years, said the popular event started long before she started her employment here.
“Linda Leonard, the owner, started it years ago,” said Pezzetti. “She wanted to do a Fourth of July party with stories and songs and then let the kids just jump on the bubble wrap and dance around.”
The Bubble Explosion is one of many events held through the year to entice customers into the store, but this one has the added advantage of connecting the various age levels of their patrons. Many of the children attended with siblings, parents and grandparents, having fun and celebrating the holiday together.
“Miss Julie” Dossantos, who is currently enrolled in school to become an elementary school teacher, has led children to the world of books like a pied piper for roughly 11 years as the Book Center’s most beloved story teller.
Her infectious enthusiasm as always engaged the hordes of children sitting at her feet, as they listened to stories and interacted with the songs she sang. She was even able to entertain the masses and keep up the excitement level during the hour before the bubble wrap stomp.
“When you read aloud it just captures their attention,” said Dossantos. “But the bubble wrap is obviously most of the kids’ favorite part.”
After clapping and singing along to “The Night Before the 4th of July” they were sent off to craft tables to make Uncle Sam face masks and patriotic wands which were used in a parade around the second floor, where the Children’s Store is located.
And then at last, they gathered in the story area where they were given bubble wrap pieces and were let loose to jump up and down in wild abandon. The sound of simulated fireworks had the children laughing and squealing, as amused parents and grandparents looked on.
“It’s definitely loud,” said VBBC owner/manager Chad Leonard, son of store founders, Tom and Linda Leonard. “I think events like this and the story hour we have every week is a great way to reinforce that we are here for people to buy books and toys but many of our patrons grew up coming in for the story hour, so there is a warm bond it creates in the community. It is probably a trip for the parents to come in and watch their kids enjoying the same events that they enjoyed.”
The Vero Beach Book Center is celebrating its 40th year in business and has maintained its standing even in a high tech world of online books. In addition to children’s event such as this one, they also host numerous book signings on the main level with some of the country’s most popular authors.