Sebastian’s Riverview Park became an enchanted Storybook Forest last Saturday as the Early Learning Coalition of Indian River, Martin and Okeechobee County hosted its first-ever event in this county to promote children’s literacy. Children and their parents enjoyed a variety of activities at more than two dozen booths, each related to a specific book, creating a learning experience that was both fun and interactive.
Tents were manned by representatives of pre-schools, event sponsors, educational groups and other nonprofits, each bringing a different storybook to life with costumed characters and story time. Kids also delighted in a host of engaging educational activities, which included creating some very unique crafts. And everyone appreciated the soft river breeze, which kept balloons, streamers and bubbles aloft – fascinating the little ones – and kept temperatures bearable.
Many kids especially enjoyed shaking paws with “Pete the Cat,” the bright blue and larger-than-life main character in the wonderful picture book series of the same name by Eric Litwin and James Dean. On stage, singer/songwriter Jennifer Daniel engaged the children, reading some of the Pete the Cat books and performing his well-known songs as the little ones danced along with Pete.
Stacy Hampton, attending with her three little girls and several nieces and nephews, was among those having fun in every corner of the park.
“They love all of it,” said Hampton. “We love books and the kids are dancing, listening to music and having a great time. It is such a unique event and everything is on their level. It’s awesome.”
Angela Davis-Green, ELCIRMO Director of Family Services, organized the free event, and said more things are planned in Indian River County; perhaps making Storybook Forest an annual event. Coalition staff members were kept busy passing out bags containing online subscriptions to access 40 interactive reading materials; handing them to everyone who walked through the entrance.
“My staff did all the work,” said Jacki Jackson, Coalition CEO. “I have the best staff ever because we all work together as a team. They decided we had to do this to make literature exciting for the kids. We want kids to get motivated about reading.”
The nonprofit Early Learning Coalition provides subsidized child care assistance, programs, training and resources and implements school readiness and voluntary pre-kindergarten services to give children a competitive start in life. For more information, visit www.elcirmo.org.