It’s back!
On Friday, October 20 and Saturday, October 21, the Montclair Public Library kicks off its 9th annual Little Read weekend, a free children’s read-aloud marathon in a town-wide celebration of literacy and community featuring public officials, authors, celebrities and local community members. The Library’s annual Little Read has become one of the fall’s must-attend events for families with young children.
Reading aloud to children is the single most important activity for promoting early literacy skills and language development. Each Little Read participant reads aloud in 10-minute slots scheduled throughout the two-day event, geared to children in pre-school through grade four.
Readings take place at different locations throughout Montclair, with a wide variety of books for readers to choose from. This year, some of the readers will include Mayor Robert Jackson, Library Director Peter Coyl, and Fire Chief John Herrmann (with firefighters).
Funds raised through sponsorships of this free event support the Children’s Department and the Children’s Summer Reading Program. Since the event’s inception in 2009, Scholastic has been a lead sponsor and provides a free book to each child attending the bedtime stories event. Josh and Judy Weston have joined as lead sponsors this year. Baristanet, Boiling Springs Savings Bank, Montclair State University, Rosemary and Al Iversen, Hackensack Meridian Health Mountainside Medical Center and Sparkles Dentistry are also contributing sponsors.
The library has invited local pre-schools to the Bellevue Avenue Library during the morning of Friday, October 20th to enjoy stories read by members of the community. Those attending include St. James Preschool, Lacordaire Academy, Pilsbury School and St. Cassian School. Concurrently, the Montclair Community Pre-K and the Fulton Street location of the Montclair Child Development Center will hear stories at the Main Library. Beginning at 2 pm, Montclair Public Library Foundation board members, Montclair Library Friends and library staff will read aloud at the Baldwin location of the Montclair Child Development Center.
The Little Read continues that evening at the Main Library with its traditional “Bedtime Stories” event from 7-8 p.m. Children can enjoy their cookies while watching Mayor Robert Jackson and Library Director Peter Coyl read from the “Big Red Chair.” Bringing down the house yet again will be the woodwind quartet from the Cali School of Music who will perform Peter and the Wolf.
On Saturday, October 21st at 11:00 am, 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 1:00 pm where little ones can hear fabulous stories read by Montclair Art Museum staff. New as a location is the Montclair Neighborhood Development Corporation Community Center at 11 Pine Street. From 2:00-3:00 pm
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. Applegate Farms will be providing apple cider donuts for all the children attending.
The 2017 Little Read public event schedule is as follows:
Friday, October 20
7:00-8:00 pm: Bedtime Stories at the Main Library Auditorium
Saturday, October 21
11:00 am: Montclair Fire Department, Valley Road
1:00-2:00 pm: Montclair Art Museum
2:00-3:00 pm: Montclair Neighborhood Development Corp Community Center 11 Pine Street
3:00-5:00 pm: Main Library
