Each week, the children’s room at the Picton Branch Library comes alive with excited children anxious to hear the stories, rhymes & songs that make up Saturday Storytime. Adding to the excitement, in June we will have two very special guest authors – each with newly released picture books co-incidentally starring dogs – as well as the South Shore Joint Initiative.

Donna Kaye is a well-known local early literacy specialist and educator who spent forty years working in forest and nature schools. Her book, Move Along, Huxley and Roscoe was cowritten by Nancy Cronin and illustrated by Dustin Foley. Readers are invited to come along on an adventure with Huxley and Roscoe, two curious characters who meet new friends as they explore and learn about the forest.  Donna will join us to read the book on June 1 at 10:30 am and will have copies of the book available for sale.

On June 22, Cynthia Windsor will read her newly released book Chica Chica Senorita.  Inspired by the author’s real-life experience, the story starts in Cuba where a small dog needs a home. One day a Canadian woman visits, locks eyes with the dog and realizes immediately the dog is meant to be part of her family.  With the help of kind strangers and specialists in animal care and international adoption, Chica, Chica Señorita now lives a cherished life with her “pawents” in Prince Edward County.  Cynthia will also read her book and have copies available for sale.

Hearing authors read their own work is always a special opportunity. Even the youngest learners can benefit from learning that the words on a page in a book started as an author’s idea, and how those words come together in sentences to tell a story. We’re so grateful to the creative local authors for sharing their time with the children (and grown-ups) who attend storytime.

Members of the South Shore Joint Initiative have joined several storytimes through the fall and winter, exposing participants to a wide range of natural topics – everything from animal tracks to seeds and flowers and more. On Saturday, June 15, they’ll join us to talk about Pollinators in the Garden.

Library programs are a great way to discover new books, meet others, and help develop crucial early literacy skills. The “Every Child Ready to Read” system, developed by the Association for Library Service to Children, identifies five practices as the building blocks of literacy:  singing, talking, reading, writing, and playing.  Join Baby Time on Thursdays, Toddler Time on Fridays and Saturday Storytime & Singalong, each at 10:30 a.m. at the Picton Branch Library. All are welcome.