A Scappoose School District librarian is blending her love of farm life with a desire to encourage youngsters to read.
Keely Nudo, in partnership with Topaz Farm on Sauvie Island, will be hosting “Storytime with Keely” every Thursday throughout the summer, beginning June 27, from 10:30 to 11 a.m.
The program is aimed for youngsters from 3 years old to fifth grade, although all families are welcome.
Nudo will also be collaborating with the Scappoose Public Library to tie in some themes from their popular summer reading program, “Read, Renew, Repeat.”
Nudo said during the summer months, kids may not read as much considering all the activities that go on during summer vacation.
“The summer slide is a real thing,” she said. “If our kids aren’t reading, or if they’re not being read to, they backtrack so much over the summer, particularly our littles.”
Nudo added, “They need to be read to everyday, they need to be immersed in literacy every day. So, this was just kind of my way of trying to figure out some way to get them excited about reading, but also make some of those real-world connections for our kids.”
Nudo said connecting with Topaz Farm has allowed her to make those connections. Her goal is to connect the literature to the farming experience.
As an example, at Topaz Farm, Nudo said, “They have a dinosaur tree on the property. I can’t wait to read a Dinosaur book with the kids … I think it’s just going to be a really dynamic opportunity for families to be able to experience literature, experience the outdoors, get to Sauvie Island and get to see the farm. There are so many plusses. I think its really cool.”
According to Nudo, the program started because Grant Watts Elementary does a big auction every year.
“I offered a Wonky Donkey Wednesday experience out at Topaz,” Nudo said. “We sold out, 20 kids. It was just a fun event.”
Asked what her favorite stories are, Nudo said, “I love stories that rhyme, I love stories that make you giggle and laugh, but I also love stories that tug at your heartstrings and teach you a great lesson.”
Some stories have farm themes.
“I’m going to read ‘Red are the Apples,’” she said. “I’m tying the stories that I’m choosing to the actual farm and the experiences that families can then have afterwords.”
One of her favorite stories to read to kids is The Wonky Donkey, a funny story about a donkey who is “very different.”
Nudo noted the importance of reading to youngsters, especially the very young.
“They need to see words, say words and hear words all the time to be able to be fluent and to understand literacy,” she said. “If they’re not getting that, they slide backwards very quickly on their literacy skills.”
There will be no storytelling Thursday, July 4.
For more information, you can visit www.topazfarm.com or email Nudo at knudo@scappoose.k12.or.us
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