The Eighth Annual Little Read, Montclair Public Library’s town-wide read-aloud marathon for children celebrating community and literacy, will take place on October 21-22.
Funds raised through sponsorships of this free event support the Children’s Department and the Children’s Summer Reading Program. This past summer saw more than 1,000 children enrolled in summer reading programs and activities. Since the event’s inception in 2009, Scholastic has been a lead sponsor. “Scholastic’s mission of encouraging the intellectual and personal growth of all children, beginning with literacy has made them the perfect partner for the library and this event,” said David Hinkley, Montclair Public Library Director. “We generously thank them for their loyal support which has benefited the library’s Children’s Department.” Baristanet, Rosemary and Al Iversen, Montclair State University, Partners for Health Foundation, Rotary Foundation and Sparkles Dentistry are also contributing sponsors.
The library has invited local pre-schools to the Bellevue Avenue Library during the morning of October 21th to enjoy stories read by members of the community. Those attending include St. James Preschool, Lacordaire Academy, Pilsbury School, Union Congregational Nursery School and St. Cassian School. Beginning at 2:00 pm, Montclair Public Library Foundation board members and library staff will read aloud at the Baldwin and Fulton Street locations of the Montclair Child Development Center and the Montclair Community Pre-K.
The Little Read continues that evening at the Main Library with its traditional “Bedtime Stories” event from 7:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. Mayor Robert Jackson and Library Director David Hinkley will read from the “Big Red Chair.” The library will welcome children’s book author Kristin Rocha who is known for her Secrets of Bearhaven series. Bringing down the house yet again will be actor Frankie Faison who will perform Peter and the Wolf accompanied by the woodwind quartet from the Cali School of Music.
On Saturday, October 22th at 10 a.m,, the Montclair Police Department will bring their mobile police unit to the Bellevue Avenue Library for readings. Applegate Farms will provide apple cider donuts for all the young visitors. At 11 a.m., Fire Chief John Herrmann and his firefighters will read aloud their favorite stories at the Upper Montclair Firehouse at 588 Valley Road. The Little Read will continue at the Montclair Art Museum at 1 p.m. where little ones can hear fabulous stories read by Montclair Art Museum staff. A new location this year is the Wally Choice Community Center located at Glenfield Park, where from 2:30-3:00 p.m., Dr. Renee E. Baskerville, MD, pediatrician and 4th Ward Councilwoman, will read Peter and the Wolf accompanied by the woodwind quartet from the Cali School of Music.
The day concludes at the Main Library at 50 South Fullerton Avenue from 3-5 p.m. with many of our Montclair neighbors, writers, local heroes and celebrities reading from the “Big Red Chair.”
“The Library’s annual Little Read has become one of the fall’s must-attend events for families with young children,” said Jennifer Friedberg, MPL Foundation Board member and the event’s chair for many years. “This year, there are several new venues and opportunities throughout town for everyone to hear their favorite stories read by local heroes. That, combined with the excitement of seeing friends and neighbors sitting in the Library’s “Big Red Chair,” makes the day even more special.”