Storybook Forest event encourages young readers
KIM DAME
Isabella Inman, left, and Maleiaha make a craft as part of the interactive Storybook Forest Saturday where an estimated 3,200 families enjoyed the annual event.
Children are inspired by characters with whom they identify.
The Early Learning Coalition of Pasco and Hernando Counties (PHELC) leans on that widely accepted notion when encouraging children to read, an activity which enhances learning and helps lead to successful lives.
The coalition recently held its fifth “Storybook Forest” event geared toward young children and their families. The event, which drew an estimated 3,200 children and parents on April 5, was a kick-off for Children’s Week in Florida, which began Monday.
“There are so few things families with young children can afford to do together,” said Jim Farrelly, executive director of PHELC.
Each year the event focuses on a child-friendly theme and combines interactive storybook activities with life-sized characters. The big hit this year was from the PBS hit television show “Super Why.”
The purpose of the annual event, a news release says, is to bring together early childhood educators in Pasco and Hernando counties to “create interactive displays based on children’s books.” Those who attended heard about the stories through hands-on activities and made projects at each display.
In addition to the hands-on activities, storytellers brought the books to life with real-life characters such as Super Why, Wonder Red, Woofster, Clifford the Big Red Dog and more.
In addition, each child received a free “Storybook Forest” T-shirt and goodie bag, Farrelly said.
The event used no public money, Farrelly said. Fundraising and donations paid for it.
Storybook Forest is one of three major community events put on each year within the community by the PHELC, with the back-to-school “Preschool Palooza,” a musical event geared toward preschool age children, scheduled for August; and the coalition’s annual Conference for Early Educators in the fall.
The Early Learning Coalition is a nonprofit organization whose efforts directly help more than 9,000 children in Hernando and Pasco counties. The coalition helps low-income families work or return to school by offering them free or low-cost child care. It also sponsors the Voluntary Pre-kindergarten (VPK) program for 4-year-olds – a full year or summer program of instruction for children preparing to enter kindergarten.
PHELC exceeded even last year’s total for attendance at the Storybook Forest event. Since the inaugural event in 2008 it has grown as a way to celebrate Children’s Week, which initially was staged at the organization’s main office on County Line Road. It moved to Crews Lake Wilderness Park five years ago and has become the largest celebration of Children’s Week in the Tampa Bay area.
Farrelly credits the success to his team: Kim Borrego, program manager; Bev Doucet, quality supervisor; and support staffers who work the event deserve the credit, he said. At a post-event meeting last week to discuss how they might improve next year’s Storybook Forest, Farrelly thanked them.
“And they thanked me for giving them the opportunity to be a part of such a wonderful event,” Farrelly said. “I have a staff that genuinely cares.”
The Early Learning Coalition of Pasco and Hernando County can be reached at (727) 233-8291 and at www.phelc.org
