STORY HOUR AT LIBRARY

Press, Volume XC, Issue 27443, 1 September 1954, Page 9

STORY HOUR AT LIBRARY

Modern Aids To Old Art

RAPT AUDIENCE OF CHILDREN

A story in verse, beautifully spoken and profusely illustrated in almost im-

pressidnistic fashion, was the first item of the story hour at the Canterbury Public Library yesterday morning, and the children applauded with sophisticated appreciation. There were modern tales of overseas countries, film strips, and other contemporary innovations; but, to the delight of everyone, there was still one story which began: “Once upon a time. . . .’*■ The story hour, which is one feature of children’s book week, has been provided for a fortnight, and by Friday more than 500 children from four years of age upwards will have enjoyed this popular holiday attraction. The children’s department at the library is big enough to take a much larger audience than the daily limit of 50, but the restriction by the organisers has proved well justified by the intimate atmosphere, cheerful management, and good positions available to everyond. . Yesterday’s audience was up to the quota in spite of rough weather. There were tiny tots grouped in front on cushions, a good number in the seven-to-10 range on chairs, and one older boy who wandered quietly about the rear, equally interested in the displays and in the readings.

Perched on a little stool, three members of the staff of the children’s library in turn read the verse story of a dog called Genevieve, another story from Denmark, and the last about three soldiers of France who made “stone soup.” The readers held the books broadside on, so that their listeners could follow the illustrations, and explained the stories where necessary. Interpersed, there were the film strips —about a hobby horse sftid Maori boys fishing in the early days of New Zealand —to each of which the staff added a commentary. The announcement that “this must be the last story” was greeted with the chorus: “Oh, no. -More, please.” But the business of changing children’s books had to be resumed. There are still a few free tickets left for tomorrow and Friday, so perhaps some of these children will go again. & Parents would have marvelled at the modern art of story-telling as practised in the children’s library—though children only were admitted —and they were warm in their appreciation afterwards. Parents valued, too, the chance of unimpeded shopping.