A new chapter for all

Grandmothers Book Club brings seniors and preschoolers together for storytime at the Boys and Girls Club.Eager for a story, preschoolers at the Boys and Girls Club of Laguna flock to members of the Grandmothers Book Club for a routine that has become one for the ages.

Though the weekly meetings between the “grandmothers” and preschoolers has been running for just three weeks, their one morning a week together is precious time spent for both children and volunteers. With popular titles like “How Do Dinosaurs Get Well Soon,” and “The Grouchy Ladybug,” kids and storytellers interact with shared emotions and questions.

Though most of the children have only Spanish spoken in their homes, they are learning quickly to become bilingual while developing a love of books.

With big grins and hugs, the preschoolers know time with the volunteers means exploring the books they have learned to love.

“The kids get excited when they see us coming,” said volunteer Dottie Parnell.

The students are all participants in Even Start, a free preschool program for children aged 3 and 4 from qualifying low-income families.

The preschool prepares children for entering the Laguna public school system and connects them with the kindergarten curriculum.

The curriculum of Even Start is designed with “playing” in mind, but has education at its heart.

“It’s important to have reading books associated with something that feels good,” teacher Terry Anne Barman said.

While reading is a skill not yet acquired by the students, they memorize favorite passages and recite them by rote.

“If you don’t learn to love books by four you may never love them,” Barman said. “Some of these kids aren’t read to in their homes.”

Selecting quality stories to read can be a challenge, Barman said. “Books like ‘Bambi’ without a lot of pictures doesn’t keep their attention very well.”

And the more experienced members of Grandmother’s Book Club agree that they also get a lot out of the experience.

“We’re just getting to know each other,” Forbes said.

Grandmothers Book Club is supported by Sally’s Fund, a nonprofit organization that offers transportation and other services to seniors in Laguna Beach.

For information on Sally’s Fund, call (949)499-4100.20060217iur93jncDON LEACH / COASTLINE PILOT(LA)Grandmothers Book Club teacher Suzanne Caffey shares a happy moment with her students.