Read aloud and discover books' magic

“I hate reading!”

Have you ever heard a kid say that? I’m sure that some kids really do think they hate reading, but maybe it isn’t reading that they hate. For some, it is what they consider reading to be.

Some of my favorite reading experiences have taken place when I wasn’t actually doing the reading myself. When my kids were small, my husband used to read to us as a family. He always chose a funny book and we would all listen and laugh together. My kids grew up with a dad who read to them and they all like to read.

Today, Friday, Feb. 1, is World Read Aloud Day. Founded by Pam Allyn, literacy educator and author, after visiting an area of extreme poverty in Nairobi, Kenya. Her experience opened her eyes to a reality where children encountered barriers to reading and writing. She and a group of friends founded an organization called LitWorld in 2007 to bring innovative literacy methods to communities around the world. LitWorld founded World Read Aloud Day to bring attention to the importance of literacy as a human right.

For more information on World Read Aloud Day, visit litworld.org. Observe this special day by reading together as a family or volunteering to read to others in our community.

All of the following classes and events take place at the Sandpoint Library, 1407 Cedar Street, unless otherwise noted.

- Fridays — Explore virtual reality; reserve sessions. 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Reserve a 15-minute session in the VR room at ebonnerlibrary.org/Events on the event listing. Information: Contact the Tech Desk, 208-263-6930, ext.1251.

- Fridays: Clark Fork Mother Goose. 10:15 a.m. at the Clark Fork Branch. A special story time for babies and toddlers followed by 20 minutes of play time. Information: 208-266-1321.

- Saturday, Feb 2 — Sandpoint Friends of the Library book sale, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. All non-fiction at half price and featuring our collections of mysteries and children’s books. Parents, we have gifts for you with a large array of beautiful art education how-to books for students of all ages. As usual, we have a large selection of books for toddlers through teens at the regular cost of 25 cents for soft- covers and 50 cents for hardbacks. FOL is grateful for the generous community support.

- Saturday, Feb 2 — Bella Noté performance and children’s music class, 10:30 a.m. in the glass children’s area.

- Saturdays — Explore virtual reality, reserve sessions, 2-4 p.m. Reserve a 15-minute session in the new VR room at ebonnerlibrary.org/Events on the event listing. Information: Contact the Tech Desk, 208-263-6930, ext.1251.

- Tuesdays — Mother Goose, 10 a.m. in the glass children’s area. Stories and singing for babies and toddlers 0-3 yrs. and their caregivers with stay & play until 10:40 a.m. Information: 208-263-6930, ext. 1211 or suzanne@ebonnerlibrary.org.

- Tuesdays — Preschool Stories. 11 a.m. in the glass children’s area. Stories and crafts for kids and their caregivers. Information: 208-263-6930, ext. 1211 or suzanne@ebonnerlibrary.org.

- Tuesdays — Robotics. 3 -5 p.m. at the Clark Fork Branch. Explore STEAM with Lego Mindstorm robotics. Information: 208-266-1321.

- Tuesdays — Explore Virtual Reality – drop-in sessions. 3-6 p.m., drop-in 15-minute sessions. First come, first served. All ages welcome. Under 18 must accompany parent consent form. Under 10 must be accompanied by parent/legal guardian. Information: Contact the Tech Desk 208-263-6930, ext.1251.

- Tuesdays — MAGIC the Gathering. 3:30-5 p.m. Teens meet in Community Room A to play the game, MAGIC. Information: 208-263-6930, ext. 1245 or kimber@ebonnerlibrary.org.

- Tuesdays — Away with Words. 5:15-6:30 p.m. in the YA Reading Area. A Creative Writing Workshop for teens with Beth Weber. Whether you are a poet, penner of short stories, or working on the great American novel, join us at the library to make your literary endeavor come to life. Information: kimber@ebonnerlibrary.org or 208-263-6930, ext. 1245.

- Tuesday, Feb. 5 — Talk and Listen With Your Eyes, 5:30-7 p.m. in Community Room B. A workshop on practical, visual ways to improve communication for hard of hearing or late deafened people, their friends, family or co-workers. Participants will share and learn through discussion, demonstrations and exercises. Let’s turn frustration into fun, and add some laughter to our lives. For more information, contact Susan Schaller, susan.schaller@gmail.com for information on other courses.

- Wednesdays — Clark Fork Stories and More. 10:30 a.m. at the Clark Fork Branch. Stories, crafts, prizes and snacks for kids ages 3-8.

- Wednesday, Feb. 6 — Legos, Kevas, & Snap Circuits, 2:30 p.m. in the glass children’s area. Build your creation using Legos, kevas, and snap circuits. Information: 208-263-6930, ext. 1211 or suzanne@ebonnerlibrary.org.

- Wednesday, Feb. 6 — Clark Fork 3D Printing Club. 4 – 5:30 p.m. at the Clark Fork Branch. Collaborate with others and learn more from staff about 3D printing and design. A few laptops will be provided or you may bring your own device. Open to all ages and skill levels. Information: 208-266-1321.

- Wednesday, Feb. 6 — Artistically Yours – Valentine Creations. 4:30-6:00 p.m. in the Teen Lounge. Make personalized Valentine envelopes and fill them with sweet nothings. Information: kimber@ebonnerlibrary.org or 208-263-6930, ext. 1245.

- Thursdays — Infant Lap-Sit Rhyme Time. 10 a.m. in the glass children’s area. Meet other parents and share in free early language and development classes for infants and pre-walkers. For more information, contact Suzanne Davis at 208-263-6930, ext. 1211 or suzanne@ebonnerlibrary.org.

- Thursday, Feb. 7 ­— Morning Movie – “Lilo & Stitch”, 11 a.m. in the glass children’s area. On the lush and tropical Hawaiian Islands, an independent little girl named Lilo adopts what she thinks is an innocent puppy, completely unaware that he is a mischievous creature who has escaped from a faraway planet. Stitch takes Hawaii by storm, wreaking havoc and hanging ten while he evades the alien bounty hunters who are bent on recapturing him. Information: 208-263-6930, ext. 1211.

- Friday, Feb. 8 — Family Game Night. 5:30 p.m. in the glass children’s area. Get together with family, friends, and the community for a fun night of board games. Information: 208-263-6930, ext. 1211 or suzanne@ebonnerlibray.org.

- Saturday, Feb. 9 — Second Saturday Science – Bubbles. 10-11:30 a.m. in the Teen Lounge. What do you really know about bubbles? In this fun interactive session, we will explore the perfect geometry of bubbles. Information: kimber@ebonnerlibrary.org or 208-263-6930, ext. 1245.

- Saturday, Feb. 9 — eSports League at The Library. 1 p.m. in the Teen Lounge. Making eSports available to high school gamers by facilitating healthy competition on a varsity level in a comfortable environment is the mission of the HSEL. The Library is partnering with the SHS eSports team to further that mission. Information: dalton.hawkins@lposd.org

- Saturday, Feb. 9 — Great Backyard Birds. 2 p.m. at the Clark Fork Branch. The American Heritage Wildlife Foundation presents an entertaining educational discussion on native and non-migratory birds of the local area. Free for all ages. Information: 208-266-1321.

Marcy Timblin is in charge of public relations, marketing & community development for the East Bonner County Library District. She can be reached at 208-208- 208-263-6930, ext. 1204.