DAPHNE, Ala. — Children can enjoy story time, puppets and crafts at Daphne Public Library when storytime sessions begin for the fall on Aug. 11, according to officials.

Preschool story times are held Tuesdays and Thursdays at 10:30 a.m. and Wednesdays at 2 p.m. with Spanish story time every second Monday at 10:30 a.m.

Afterschool story times are held Thursdays at 3:45 p.m. with Spanish story time every fourth Tuesday at 3:45 p.m.

Each month will highlight an author, according to Cathy Chandler, children’s librarian.

“In August we will spotlight Mo Willems and his ‘Elephant and Piggy Series,’”she said. “We will start off with ‘I Want To Surprise My Friend,’ ‘My Friend Is Sad’ and ‘There’s A Bird On Your Head.’

“We plan to make paper plate elephant and piggy masks so the children can use them at home as they enjoy this series with their families.”

Such activities are important for children, she said.

“For preschoolers especially, storytime is a time of inspiration,” she said. “It’s a time where music, puppets, and books can come together to promote the love of books.”

Children can learn a variety of lessons from books, she said.

“Reading can take you to imaginary places, help you to understand yourself and others better, teach you basic life lessons and help you to grow your imagination,” she said. “I often tell field trip groups that come in that reading can take you anywhere you want to go. 

“No matter what you want to be in life, reading is going to be your foundation. You can learn to be a doctor, nurse, firefighter, policeman, teacher, etc. by reading.” 

Assistant Children’s Librarian Rhonda Moss agreed.

“I feel a great responsibly,” she said. “I remember when I went to the Daphne Public Library as a child and all the special memories that I will always cherish. 

“I want the storytime children to make the same great memories for themselves as well.”

Moss enjoys seeing the  positive impact that story-time has on the children, she said.

“When Cathy and I read the stories to the children you can start to see a twinkle in their eyes and on their faces,” she said. “You can also see the parents enjoying story time as well.

“And for the crafts, at the end of the stories the children can hardly wait to get to the craft table.

“It is also great to see the parents interacting with their child; they just love it.”

Chandler said she hopes the positive outcome will last for years to come.

“If we can make reading enjoyable and engaging, hopefully we can impact young lives to become life-long readers and learners and to use reading as their vehicle to success,” she said.