Beginning Tuesday, September 3rd, storytime is back at MPPL! New this fall, all regular storytime sessions are drop-in with no registration required, so it’s easier than ever to join in the fun. Our brand-new lineup offers fun, flexible session choices so you can find the perfect fit for your child’s unique age and stage. For information on dates and times for Baby, Toddler, PreK, and Family Storytime each week, check out our calendar.
The librarians that lead our in-house storytime programs want to say hi! The team has been working hard to plan the exciting things we’ll do, but we took a little break to share some fun facts about ourselves. If you’d like to show your child our pictures and read about their “teachers”, it can help them feel more comfortable and confident when they arrive at storytime. You can also ask at the Youth desk if any members of the storytime team are available—we would love to say hello and become a familiar face! We can’t wait to read, play, and grow with you this fall!
Ms. Becca: Youth Collection Librarian, Baby Storytime Extraordinaire
Favorite Animal: Penguins and dogs!
Favorite Color: Pink
Favorite Food: Penne Pasta with Vodka sauce
Favorite Movie: Moana
Favorite book to read at storytime: This is a tough choice because I would choose different ones for various ages. For babies I would pick You are New by Lucy Knisley. For Toddlers I would pick any book from Sally Sutton. For older kids I would choose Chester Van Chime who forgot how to rhyme by Avery Monsen.
My special hidden talent is: Baking. I enjoy making cakes, cookies and pies!
If I’m not at storytime, I’m probably: Selecting materials to purchase for the youth collection. I love the enjoyment of selecting a book and seeing the excitement of a child checking it out.
My favorite part of storytime is: When babies recognize the song or rhyme from storytime and start to bounce, clap, or sing along. Watching the babies who were in my storytimes and growing up learning to talk, walk and more gives me a great feeling of purpose, of this is what I am born to do.
The secret ingredient to make my storytime great is: My enthusiasm!! When interacting with babies at story time they can be a tough crowd. They may not laugh at my jokes or sing the songs yet but after a few times they start to recognize the songs or activities. I infuse all my story times with something exciting for the caregivers, babies and me.
Mr. Caleb: Youth Program and Outreach Associate, Wizard of Toddler Storytime
Favorite Animal: cats
Favorite Color: Mint green
Favorite Food: Raspberry cheesecake
Favorite Movie: High School Musical 2
Favorite book to read at storytime: Brown Bear, Brown Bear, What Do You See? by Eric Carle
My special hidden talent is: I can play the banjo!
If I’m not at storytime, I’m probably: Pretending to fight monsters
My favorite part of storytime is: Songs and puppets!
The secret ingredient to make my storytimes great is: All my storytime friends that come to have fun with me.
Ms. Esli: Youth Outreach Librarian, Bilingual Storytime Expert
Favorite Animal: Axolotls. I just love bringing my stuffed Axolotl named Rio to storytimes and outreach visits. It’s so heartwarming to see kids of all ages light up when they have special guests at storytimes.
Favorite Color: Forest Green!
Favorite Food: Taco, Pizza, mangos and lots of coffee!
Favorite Movie: Toy Story, My Neighbor Totoro, The Parent Trap
Favorite book to read at storytime: Creepy Crayon! (with Novel effect) by Aaron Reynolds. I’ve read this book in both English and Spanish and both kids and adults think its funniest book!
A little Fun Fact: I absolutely love going on bike rides! You might just spot me on a bike trail during the weekends.
If I’m not at storytime, I’m probably: Planning outreach visits in the community!
My favorite part of storytime is: Seeing the kids’ reaction as I’m reading to them is the best!
The secret ingredient to make my storytimes great is: That I let my enthusiasm shine, and I am not afraid to be the silliest or goofiest adult!
Ms. Sydney: Early Childhood Librarian, Family and PreK Storytime Superstar
Favorite Animal: Cats and ducks
Favorite Color: Pink
Favorite Food: Strawberries, all the soups, cheese fries, and coffee (so, so, so much coffee)
Favorite Movie: Fantastic Mr. Fox
Favorite book to read at storytime: While this, of course, depends on who I’m reading with, here are a few of my all-time favorites to share at storytime: Superworm by Julia Donaldson, Hat Tricks by Satoshi Kitamura, Where’s Bear? by Emily Gravett, Extra Yarn by Mac Barnett, and Where the Wild Things Are by Maurice Sendak (which is Ms. Sydney’s favorite picture book).
My special hidden talent is: Being super good at Mario Kart. I am not very skilled at other video games, but Ms. Sydney as Princess Daisy in the standard kart will (probably) win every time!
If I’m not at storytime, I’m probably: Preparing fun activities we’ll explore at other early childhood programs, organizing or cleaning (or playing with) library toys, and helping grown-ups find the right resources and tools to raise a super reader.
The secret ingredient to make my storytimes great is: I never take myself too seriously. I think kids have the most fun (and learn the most, too!) when I’m having fun along with them. The only downside is that I seem to always have a preschool song stuck in my head…
My favorite part of storytime is: Being silly and learning through play with my friends! To me, the best part of any day at the library is the time I get to spend sharing books, having conversations, and playing together with the kids who come to visit. The stoytime team works hard to make every library trip memorable, meaningful, and fun!
