Organizers hope inaugural event will expand to promote reading
for kids
Julie Engelhardt always enjoyed taking her children to story
time programs at their local library.
”
Since the time my older son was 3 or 4, I would take him to
story times at a library in Southern California,
”
Engelhardt said, of her oldest son who is now 17.
”
I enjoyed doing that
– hearing the books and seeing his reaction.
”
The tradition continued with her younger son who is 8.
”
I started thinking about how Mars Hill is a really nice
location, very family friendly, and I thought about offering it
myself,
”
she said.
Organizers hope inaugural event will expand to promote reading for kids
Julie Engelhardt always enjoyed taking her children to story time programs at their local library.
“Since the time my older son was 3 or 4, I would take him to story times at a library in Southern California,” Engelhardt said, of her oldest son who is now 17. “I enjoyed doing that – hearing the books and seeing his reaction.”
The tradition continued with her younger son who is 8.
“I started thinking about how Mars Hill is a really nice location, very family friendly, and I thought about offering it myself,” she said.
She got in touch with Scott Kindred, of Mars Hill, and worked out a few dates for story time programs. The first was held July 14 and was focused on pirates. Another was held July 28, on wild animals.
The next event is set for Aug. 4, “Let’s GO! Cars, Planes, Trucks and Trains.”
Engelhardt said the programs run an hour and incorporate reading, songs, stories and jokes around the themes.
“We’ve been in Hollister for five years and it’s a nice community, but unfortunately there is not a lot available for younger children” she said. “I wanted to do something else that was free for families.”
For the first story time, Engelhardt said she expected 10-20 children to show up with their parents.
“To be honest, I had no idea how it was going to work out,” she said. “I was nervous.”
Instead she ended up with a group of 62 children and 10 adults, including a couple of daycare groups who brought their kids over for the day.
Engelhardt has enlisted some sponsors for the events, including Scott Kindred, of safehouseweb.com; Dr. Mark Darnell; Dr. Richard Gallagher; Rob Campbell, a high school teacher and creator of cartoonthunder.com; Renea Magnani, of Usborne Books; and Mary Damm.
Bob Tiffany, of Tiffany Ford, has also donated 65 Matchbox cars to give out to the children who attend; Drive Rite School is lending large traffic signs to be used as decorations; and Bob Peck, a train enthusiast, will bring in model trains.
Engelhardt said she is hoping to continue the story time events after school starts, on weekends and during holiday breaks.
She has an idea for an upcoming “Story Faire,” around the time the Renaissance Faire comes to Casa de Fruta, which would incorporate stories about kings, queens and more.
“I am very appreciative of the support I’ve received for stuff from Mars Hill and the help they have given me as far as getting the word out,” she said.
“Reading is so important,” she said. “Books are so important to children. Even spending 20 minutes a day with your children, they learn so much.”
