Few sights make parents happier than children rarin' to read. Thats exactly what was on display Monday afternoon, when the New Canaan Library hosted its Fairytale Readers Theatre in the childrens section. Emily Buplock and seven other avid readers in grades one to four acted out some of their favorite classic stories.
Its good practice for second, third and fourth graders, said Head of Childrens Programming Rose Marie Zaharek. Kids read the stories, and enjoy them more because they take part in them. Monday afternoons group tackled four stories: Little Red Riding Hood, The Emperors New Clothes, Goldilocks and the Three Bears and The Three Little Pigs. Zaharek assigned each child a part in a mini-play, complete with a name placard to help the children remember their roles.
She took care to balance participation, making sure each child had at least one major part to practice. Some were soft-spoken and shy at the beginning, but by the end, each reader dove into his or her part. Though Zaharek had to tell some, such as Luke McCarthy and Vivian Ding, to speak up, soon the two were fully in character, growling away as the Big Bad Wolf or squealing at a Baby Bear pitch.
Though planned as a series, for now, Zaharek says. Mondays reading might be the only one this summer. But several of the actors in Monday's group were eager to do more. For now, parents can check the librarys website for similar programs and if theres enough interest, the stage may be set again.
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