Children are invited to travel the globe at Shreve Memorial Library and “Read Around the World,” as the library hosts a series of multicultural storytime programs, inspiring all to travel around the world through the pages of picture books set in various countries across the globe. Throughout the month of March, children and their families are encouraged to visit the library for fun, engaging and interactive storytime programs featuring stories of diverse cultures, unique characters and faraway places. Programs will take place at Shreve Memorial Library branches throughout Caddo Parish, and all programs are free and open to the public.
“Read Around the World” programs at Shreve Memorial Library will feature a selection of titles and activities exploring various cultures and countries. Children will learn about Japan’s bicycle food deliverers in Kyo Maclear’s Noodles on a Bicycle, explore the mesmerizing wonders of a Nigerian night market in Seina Wedleck’s The Night Market, and discover the history of traditional homelands of Indigenous nations in This Land by Ashley Fairbanks, as well as travel to far off places such as China, Palestine, Trinidad and Tobago, Italy, France and more through the pages of storybooks.
Children will have multiple opportunities to read around the world and enjoy stories of distant places at a number of interactive storytime programs. Storytime programs include engaging storytelling, interactive play, hands-on crafts, singing and lots of fun. While storytime programs are designed for early learners and children ages 0 – 5, children of all ages are welcome to attend.
“Read Around the World” storytime programs will be held each Tuesday at 10:00 a.m. at the North Caddo Branch, 615 N. Pine Street in Vivian; each Thursday at 4:00 p.m. at the Belcher-Wyche Branch, 409 Charles Street in Belcher; and every Friday at 12:00 p.m. at the Mooringsport Branch, 603 Latimer Street in Mooringsport. Drop-in storytimes are also available Monday through Friday 11:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. at the Blanchard Branch, located at 344 Alexander Street in Blanchard. Additional “Read Around the World” storytime programs are scheduled as follows:
Tuesday, March 10
- 4:45 p.m. at the West Shreveport Branch, 4380 Pines Road
Wednesday, March 11
- 10:00 a.m. at the Broadmoor Branch, 1212 Captain Shreve Drive
- 10:00 a.m. at the Hollywood/Union Avenue Branch, 2105 Hollywood Avenue
- 4:00 p.m. at the Means Branch, 7016 Magnolia Lane, Ida
Thursday, March 12
- 10:00 a.m. at the David Raines Branch, 2855 Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Drive
- 3:45 p.m. at the Gilliam Branch, 12797 Main Street, Gilliam
Friday, March 13
- 10:00 a.m. at the Higginbotham-Bryson Branch, 9359 Greenwood Road, Greenwood
Monday, March 16
- 12:00 p.m. at the Oil City Branch, 102 Allen Street, Oil City
Tuesday, March 17
- 10:30 a.m. at the Cedar Grove-Line Avenue Branch, 8303 Line Avenue
Wednesday, March 18
- 10:00 a.m. at the Hosston Branch, 15478 U.S. Highway 71, Hosston
Saturday, March 21
- 10:00 a.m. at the Broadmoor Branch
Tuesday, March 24
- 4:00 p.m. at the Mooretown Branch, 4360 Hollywood Avenue
- 4:45 p.m. at the West Shreveport Branch
Thursday, March 26
- 10:30 a.m. at the Hamilton/South Caddo Branch, 2111 Bert Kouns Industrial Loop
In addition to storytime programs, homeschool students will have an opportunity to showcase what they have learned through reading around the world. On Friday, March 13, the North Shreveport Branch will host a “Homeschool Read Around the World Showcase” in which students will select a book from a list provided and create a craft of their choice, including posters, dioramas, songs, comic strip, or any other creative project. The program will begin at 10:00 a.m. at the North Shreveport Branch, located at 4844 North Market Street. Registration is required. Those interested can sign-up at the branch or by call (318) 674-8172.
All “Read Around the World” programs are free and open to the public.