The Laker/Lutz News

Serving Pasco since 1981/Serving Lutz since 1964

Who says sharks have to be scary? They can be fun, too.

By

Shaina Smith, right, a youth services assistant at New River Library, welcomes those attending Story Time. Smith joined library associates Steven Rosen and Laura Covillon in reading fun shark stories to the children. (Fred Bellet)

Whether they were riding in strollers, amped up with excitement or just ambling along — those gathered at New River Library, 34043 State Road 54, were asked to turn on their imaginations and to listen to some stories about sharks.

Bubbles bobbed about them, in the library staff’s attempt to create the sense of an underwater adventure.

And, library staffers gave lively readings of stories featuring sharks as the main character.

Unlike the common stereotype, these sharks weren’t frightening. They were fun.

The people who came to Story Time seemed to be having fun, too.

Library staff has been looking forward to having in-person events, after a long hiatus, due to a massive makeover of the branch library, as well as shifting to virtual programming because of the COVID-19 pandemic.

In keeping with safety protocols, registration was taken for these programs, too, to avoid crowding.

For information about library programs, visit PascoLibraries.org, or call 813-788-6375.

Four-year-old Jesse Snyder, of Wesley Chapel, makes a big entrance into the bubble-filled, special events room at the New River Library. The bubbles were intended to create the effect of being in the ocean — just the right mood for hearing stories about sharks.
With words displayed on the screen behind him, Steven Rosen, a youth services associate at New River Library, reads to toddlers and preschoolers in two sessions of Story Time.
Two-year-old Sunny Rae takes a closer look at the shark books that will be featured during the second session of Story Time for preschoolers, at the New River Library. She was there with her mom, Dayna Jenkins, of Dade City.
One-year-old Hadley Kiefer, of Zephyrhills, makes a move toward other toddlers during Story Time at the New River Library. Hadley didn’t get very far from her mom, Heather Kiefer, and 2-year-old sister, Carly.
Seven-month-old Joyelle Schultz catches a few winks in the special events room, at the New River Library, in Wesley Chapel, before Story Time festivities begin. Joyelle was there with her mom, Sarah Schultz, of Wesley Chapel. The little girl’s great-aunt, Nancy Hoskins, and her grandmother, Nancy Dunlop, were there, too. They were both visiting from Michigan.
Evan Snyder, 1, clings to his mom, Haruka Snyder, of Wesley Chapel, while his 4-year-old brother, Jesse, heads into the bubble-filled room for Story Time at New River Library.

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