Storytime is a daily occurrence in branches of the Brooklyn Public Library (BPL), but on Friday, March 7, it will be made a little extra special thanks to Read Across America.
The annual program, sponsored by the National Education Association, brings library staff, patrons, elected officials and community leaders to their local library or community center, where they read a book to neighborhood children. BPL’s version of the event will feature Brooklyn-born children’s author Ezra Jack Keats’ story, Whistle for Willie– described as “a charming and dynamic tale about a young boy who strives to learn how to whistle so that he can communicate with his dog.”
Brooklyn libraries will also offer interactive activities, including whistle games, dog drawing and craft projects and story-themed rhymes and songs.
This year’s guest readers are as follows:
- 10 a.m. at the New Utrecht Branch (1743 86th Street) – Councilmember Vincent Gentile
- 10 a.m. at the Sunset Park Branch (5108 Fourth Avenue) – Assembly Member Felix Ortiz
- 10:15 a.m. at the Kings Highway Branch (2115 Ocean Avenue) – Councilmember Chaim Deustch
- 10:30 a.m. at the Kensington Branch (4207 18th Avenue) – Councilmember David Greenfield
- 10:30 a.m. at the Leonard Branch (81 Devoe Street) – Councilmember Antonio Reynoso
- 10:30 a.m. at the Macon Branch (361 Lewis Avenue) – Assembly Member Annette Robinson
- 10:30 a.m. at the Mill Basin Branch (2385 Ralph Avenue) – Councilmember Alan Maisel
- 10:30 a.m. at the New Lots Branch (665 New Lots Avenue) – Councilmember Inez Barron
- 11:30 a.m. at the Eastern Parkway Branch (1044 Eastern Parkway) – Councilmember Laurie Cumbo
- 3:15 p.m. at the Gravesend Branch (303 Avenue X) – Councilmember Mark Treyger
- 4 p.m. at the Park Slope Branch (431 Sixth Avenue) – State Senator Kevin Parker and Deborah Pope, Executive Director of the Ezra Jack Keats Foundation
