Congressman Rob Woodall Reads to Preschoolers at Cumming Library

Families with preschoolers enjoyed a “hopping good” storytime at the Cumming Library on Tuesday morning as U.S. Congressman Rob Woodall visited a special 1,000 Books Before Kindergarten event to read aloud with the children.

“Something amazing happens when reading to children,” said Rep. Woodall. “You can see it in their eyes. Early literacy isn’t just about quality time or entertainment – though it absolutely accomplishes those goals – it’s about laying the groundwork for success and opening doors for the next generation.”

1,000 Books Before Kindergarten is an initiative by the Georgia Public Library Service (GPLS) in support of a nationwide effort to encourage parents of newborns, infants, toddlers, and preschoolers to make reading aloud a daily priority.

“It sounds like a daunting task to read 1,000 books with a child,” says Programming Manager Tracy Walker, “but it’s truly not difficult and we’re learning that exposing children to such a wide variety of words in so many books helps them master a larger vocabulary by the time they enter kindergarten.”

In storytimes like the one Congressman Woodall visited, librarians show parents and caregivers simple ways to help their children develop early literacy skills and they talk about ways to reach the 1,000-books goal.

“If you’re reading one book at bed time each night, it will take less than three years to reach the goal. If you’re reading fifteen minutes each day – about the time required to read three picture books – then you can read over a thousand books in a year,” explains Walker.

After a quick reminder for parents about how to register for the library’s 1,000 Books Before Kindergarten program and how to track a child’s progress with an online reading log, the crowd joined in dancing to “The Bunny Pokey” and listened to The Tale of Peter Rabbit by Beatrix Potter.

Congressman Woodall took the floor for a spirited reading of Peek-A-Boo Bunny, then he introduced a giggling and cheering crowd to another special guest, Peter Rabbit himself!

Tuesday’s event was the first in a series of storytimes and character visits featuring Beatrix Potter’s beloved character Peter Rabbit.

The next event will be held at the Sharon Forks Library on Wednesday, August 29 at 11:15 a.m., followed by additional events at the Hampton Park Library on Thursday, August 30 at 11:15 a.m. and the Post Road Library on Friday, August 31 at 11:15 a.m. and Saturday, September 1 at 11:15 a.m.

All 1,000 Books Before Kindergarten programs are designed for children ages 0 to 5 and admission is free.

For more information, or to sign your child up for the 1,000 Books Before Kindergarten program, please visit www.forsythpl.org.