For me, one positive impact from the pandemic was learning about the communication app Zoom. I’m grateful for the Zoom business to allow me free access to family members across the country, and close to home, during the restrictions of meeting in person.
One result has been a weekly story time over Zoom with my grandchildren who live in Colorado. At each session we; visit, read books, and then sometimes, they read to me. Lately, our oldest granddaughter is attending in-person kindergarten, so it’s just me and Ezra…and Grandpa joins in occasionally.
A favorite memory from when my boys were little was reading to them. And now, I love reading to my grandchildren. I have always enjoyed children’s books, and have several on our bookshelves around the house. One sweet gift a daughter-in-love gave to me, early on in our relationship, was a children’s book. I treasure that thoughtful gift.
During our weekly story time I lay out books and let the kids choose which ones they want me to read. Zoom has yet to cut us off at the free forty minutes deadline…we typically go for an hour so we get to read several books. I love the children’s books I own, but it is always good to find new ones at the library to add to the mix.
I go to the Northfield Library to look for new catchy titles and book covers. At my last visit to the library the children’s librarian, who presents the library’s children’s story time each week (pre-Covid), was there. I asked her for suggestions and she was very helpful. She actually remembered Zoey & Ezra from our weekly visits to her story time when they lived with us. Even now, when the kids come to visit they still want to go to story time at the library. YAY
The interaction I had with the children’s librarian that day was extra special. She told me of a book she really liked about “an overnight at grandmas”. The library copy was checked out so she went and retrieved a copy from her story time materials. When I went to the automatic checkout I noticed the book didn’t have a bar code, so I went and asked her about it and she told me this was her own personal copy and “just return it when you’re done.”
How special is that?
What an incredibly caring librarian. I love that she loaned her personal copy to you. And I love that you do these story times with Ezra. I wondered how you managed, so I appreciated the read first and then show the picture. I tried reading a book once to Izzy online and struggled. But read first and then show certainly makes sense.
This has worked for almost a year and that Ezra (and at times, Zoey) stay tuned for an hour surprised me at first. Now I love it.
They don’t necessarily sit perfectly still and listen but they are attentive and hear the story and look at the pictures and are engaging.
Valerie, these storytimes with your grandkids are going to be a cherished memory for them as they grow older. What a lovely way to be with your grandkids over Zoom, reading stories.
And the librarian sounds like she is perfect for her job. What a great treasure she is for the library!
I hope the kids remember these story times with Grandma!
I’m grateful for our Northfield librarians, and you’re right, the children’s librarian fits in and does a great job.
When my children were young they had story hour every Wednesday morning at the library. We went every time. They all loved it.
Then EACH ONE could check out 4 books. That is right 12 books, that we read many times the rest of the week. Some favorites made many trips to our house. I did set a limit on a couple.
When they had their own children, I bought each of them their very favorite author’s books, all 29 books each, to read to their own children. Many memories of those library trips were shared with their children as well.
You have some wonderful memories Kay.
And, what a great gift to your grandchildren…books and reading!
I am a bit tired of zoom gatherings with family, book club meetings, etc. But what a wonderful thing you are using it for! Nothing beats connecting with grandchildren as much as reading wonderful books to them! I loved reading to my children and grandchildren in person, but how wonderful you are keeping up that wonderful tradition via Zoom!
I understand the overdose of Zoom meetings!
And I know you understand my opportunity to be with my grandkids. 😉