Storytime with Dale made its return on Saturday after a two – year hiatus due to covid.

Organized by The Parents’ Voice, Dale Graham meets with children at the Shawville – Clarendon Library and reads a few stories, which is then generally followed by a craft that is related to the stories.

A small group of children attended Saturday’s storytime, where Graham read three Halloween themed books.

Graham was very animated with her reading, which was helpful in holding the children’s attention, while keeping them, and parents alike, entertained.

She also included story-related hands-on props that could be used while she was reading. One example being a bag of “bones” that each child could shake at certain parts of the book titled “Shake dem Halloween Bones.”

When Graham was asked why she volunteers her time to read to children, she got emotional.“My children did not have this growing up, and that was the biggest reason,” she said.“I want it for other children. I love the story. I love the literature. We are lacking that in kids, they don’t like to sit and read. They don’t like to have that cuddle time.”

Now that Storytime with Dale is back, Graham hopes it will be held once a month, however she noted that it’s hard to compete with so many other activities going on.

“Some weeks we’ll have 18 kids, other weeks we have five,” she said, adding that even if just one child shows up, she is happy to share her love of reading.

Storytime with Dale is free to attend, much like most of The Parents’ Voice organized activities.

Stories are geared towards the 0-5 age group however kids of all ages are sure to enjoy it. At Saturday’s event the ages ranged from three to 10.

While packing up towards the end, Graham reiterated the importance of reading to children, especially younger ones.

“Our history is gone. Our heritage of books is gone.”

To keep informed of when the next Storytime with Dale will happen, you can check out The Parents’ Voice Facebook page.