Parents were green with envy as little leprechauns discovered their own pots of gold in adventures at a special St. Patrick’s Day Storyhour with Miss Erin last Friday morning at the Vero Beach Book Center.
Young and old alike enjoyed the festivities as Miss Erin led a Storyhour celebration that would rival any of the St. Patrick’s Day celebrations on the Emerald Isle. It has been a tradition at the Book Center almost as long as the store has been open.
Everyone is a wee bit Irish on St. Patrick’s Day but Maureen Campeau, with her red hair and Irish-Scottish heritage, is the real deal. She’s lived in Vero Beach for 40 years and was happy to spend the morning among the shamrocks with her grandson, Emerson.
“I’ve come full circle,” said Campeau. “I brought my three children to storytime here, and now I’m blessed to be able to experience this with my only grandbaby. It’s the greatest thing in the world.”
It didn’t take the “luck o’ the Irish” to participate; folks just had to show up to hear Miss Erin read “Ten Lucky Leprechauns” and “The Night Before St. Patrick’s Day,” before turning the little ones loose to color pots of gold and eat shamrock cookies.
To break up the activities and rid them of any pent-up energy, the boys and girls sang and danced with abandon. It was obvious this wasn’t the first time for many of them, as they belted out the “Hello Song” and put on their imaginary glasses so that they could read.
“Emerson loves the stories, the music and the movement,” said Campeau. “It’s so animated. This is a great learning experience for him. All the children are well behaved because they are completely engaged with Miss Erin.”
Kate Gibbons came dressed in hopes of catching a leprechaun. As she showed off her toile skirt, adorned with shamrocks, she explained that her favorite part of storytime is the books; finding the big donut in one of the stories particularly funny.
The leprechauns may have been elusive this St. Patrick’s Day, but there was plenty of fun for all.
