Annual Family Days Event Promotes Literacy and a Love of Reading

Readers and literature lovers were abundant in Redlands on Saturday, Oct. 5. Dozens of families came out to enjoy the A.K. Smiley Library’s 10th Annual Family Days event, which for the last decade has become a library tradition in hopes to promote literacy and foster a love of learning in residents at a young age. This year the festival featured noted children’s author Debra Frasier, who was on site to greet readers and sign copies of her book “A Fabulous Fair Alphabet,” which were pre-sold at Redlands’ Frugal Frigate bookstore. This year’s theme revolved around the alphabet, with many games and booths available for children in kindergarten through fifth grade, and centered on helping expand vocabulary, shared Pamela Bunch, the library’s Youth Services Librarian for four years. “We have an alphabet game this year that asks children to find two words each that begin with every letter in the alphabet. They can do this by touching, seeing, smelling, tasting or hearing,” she said. “Our game booths also have words that they may not know, to help them learn words they haven’t heard before.” Charlotte Huck began the event 10 years ago. She was a resident who had taught children’s literature at Ohio State University. She has since passed away, said Bunch, but the Smiley Library continues to host the event each year to continue the mission of encouraging literacy and a love of reading, shared Bunch. It was put on this year by the combined work of the Family Day at Smiley Library Committee, the Friends of the A.K. Smiley Public Library, the University of Redlands, the Smiley Library Endowment Fund and the Assisteens of Redlands. The event each year draws a crowd of hundreds, shared Bunch, who said, “This event is for the whole family. We are also showcasing our library, but promoting reading is our big goal. We want to highlight new books and authors for people to read,” she said. Other activities during the day included the chance to visit with Ben the Therapy Dog, to whom children could read; a gardening area where children made bubbles with members of the Horticulture Club of Redlands; face-painting booths; and read-alouds with members of the Redlands police and fire departments, and other city leaders. The Lincoln Shrine was also open for viewing, with Mr. Lincoln himself walking the grounds, shared Bunch. Each child in attendance also received a free book, shared Bunch. [END] Oct.5 Family day open to anyone to come and check out what the Library has to offer for family’s. Different activities will be available. Contact: Don McCue, Library Director, Dmccue@akspl.org, (909) 798-7565 Story lead generated by Shantal Haboud. PR we published on Oct. 3: On Saturday, Oct. 5 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., the A.K. Smiley Public Library in Redlands will be celebrating its 10th annual Family Day. This day of arts, crafts, and literature is designed for children kindergarten through fifth grade and features a variety of literature-based activities. Refreshments will be served and admission is free. Noted children’s author and illustrator Debra Frasier will be speaking about her highly regarded book “A Fabulous Fair Alphabet.” The book can be purchased at the Frugal Frigate in Redlands prior to Family Day and brought to the event to be autographed. Featured activities include the following: a free book for each child in the Children’s Garden; Ben the Therapy Dog (children may read aloud to Ben); gardening with the Inland Empire Resource Conservation District; Lincoln Lore with Mr. Lincoln at the Lincoln Shrine; gardening and making bubbles with the Horticulture Club of Redlands; an author/illustrator presentation with Debra Frasier; read-alouds by Redlands firemen and policemen; Midway activities in park area; face painting downstairs in Will J’s Coffee Café; and refreshments in the Children’s Garden. This event was developed and organized by the Family Day at Smiley Library Committee. The program is sponsored by the Friends of A.K. Smiley Public Library, the University of Redlands, the Smiley Library Endowment Fund, and the Assisteens of Redlands. Guests are asked to check in near the Young Readers’ Room entrance at the south side of the Library adjacent to Smiley Park. PR not published: A.K. SMILEY PUBLIC LIBRARY FAMILY DAY AT THE A.K. SMILEY PUBLIC LIBRARY Saturday, October 5, 2013 10 a.m. – 2 p.m. Looking for a fun activity for your child? On Saturday, October 5 from 10:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m., the A K Smiley Public Library in Redlands will be celebrating its 10th annual Family Day. This fun-filled day of arts, crafts, and literature is designed for children kindergarten through fifth grade and features a variety of literature based activities. Refreshments will be served and admission is free. Noted children’s author and illustrator Debra Frasier will be speaking about her highly regarded book “A Fabulous Fair Alphabet.” The book can be purchased at the Frugal Frigate in Redlands prior to Family Day and brought to the event to be autographed. Featured activities include: • Free book for each child in the Children’s Garden • Ben the Therapy Dog (children may read aloud to Ben) • Gardening with the Inland Empire Resource Conservation District • Lincoln Lore with Mr. Lincoln at the Lincoln Shrine • Gardening & making bubbles with the Horticulture Club of Redlands • Author/Illustrator presentation with Debra Frasier • Read alouds by Redlands firemen and policemen • Midway activities in park area • Face painting downstairs in Will J’s Coffee Café • Refreshments in the Children’s Garden This event was developed and organized by the Family Day at Smiley Library Committee. The program is sponsored by the Friends of A.K. Smiley Public Library, the University of Redlands, the Smiley Library Endowment Fund, and the Assisteens of Redlands. Guests are asked to check in near the Young Readers’ Room entrance at the south side of the Library adjacent to Smiley Park. For further information, please contact the Young Readers’ Room at (909)798-7674 or visit the Library’s website at http://www.akspl.org and click on the ‘kids’ tab. You may also log on to our Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/YoungReadersRoomatAKSmileyPublicLibrary?ref=hl