Kansas Reads to Preschoolers Encourages Sharing of Same Book
The Wichita Public Library is getting the help of celebrities to encourage early childhood literacy. During the week of Nov. 15-19, all Wichita area youngsters will be encouraged to read or listen to the same book: Katherine Ayres’s “Up, Down, and Around." Ayres' book about food growing in the garden features illustrations by Nadine Bernard Westcott.
Highlighting the week’s celebrations are free public storytimes of “Up, Down, and Around” by local celebrities.
- John Snyder, KSN
10:30 a.m., Tuesday, Nov. 16
Central Library, 223 S. Main
- Molly McMillin, Wichita Eagle
10:30 a.m., Wednesday, Nov. 17
Alford Branch Library, 3447 S. Meridian
- Author Katherine Ayres
10:30 a.m., Wednesday, Nov. 17
Evergreen Branch Library, 2601 N. Arkansas
- Tracy Cassidy, B98-FM
10:30 a.m., Wednesday, Nov. 17
Rockwell Branch Library, 5939 E. 9th
- City Manager Robert Layton
10:30 a.m., Wednesday, Nov. 17
Westlink Branch Library, 8515 Bekemeyer
- Katherine Ayres
2:30 p.m., Wednesday, Nov. 17
Rainbows United, 3223 N. Oliver
- Katherine Ayres
5:30 p.m., Wednesday, Nov. 17
Watermark Books and Café, 4701 E. Douglas
- Council Member Lavonta Williams
2:30 p.m., Thursday, Nov. 18
Maya Angelou Northeast Branch Library, 3051 E. 21st
In addition to these events, library staff, community partners and volunteers will visit early childhood programs, sharing packets of vegetable seeds plus a book for each classroom, a sticker for each child, and the storytime.
Throughout the week, library customers are invited to share “Up, Down, and Around” and enter to win their own copy. One winner will be selected per Library location.
Kansas Reads to Preschoolers is a project of the Kansas Center for the Book at the State Library of Kansas. Local support provided by the Forrest C. Lattner Foundation, K.T. & Gladys Wiedemann Foundation, National Endowment for the Humanities, and Wichita Public Library Foundation. Visit the Wichita Public Library’s web site or call 316-261-8500 for details.
