Narnia comes to life for blind child

Great story from my friend Phillip Murrell.

Today, we got a look at The Lions Narnia Braille Trail.

It’s the second phase of Darrell’s Dream Boundless Playground at Warriors’ Path State Park in Kingsport.

The new addition is a Braille trail that surrounds the existing playground.

It features eight sensory stations telling a story based on “The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe” fantasy by C.S. Lewis.

The playground, along with today’s new addition, is a place where children of all abilities can enjoy nature.

“We think it’s important to provide….remove barriers for people who are blind and vision impaired and to removed those barriers so they can play right alongside and learn from one another and their friends,” said Lions Club President Doug Haseltine.

The additions at the boundless playground don’t end with the Lions Narnia Braille Trail.

A tree house will open this fall. It will be accessible to children with and without disabilities.

Watch this story: The Lions Narnia Braille Trail Opens In Kingsport

Dogs help children learn to read [Video]

Burgh, a Bernese Mountain dog, is assisting in the Tailwaggin’ Tutors program.

“When it’s time for the kids to read, they sit down, she sits down next to them and she listens,” said Carol Vernon, a library employee.

It doesn’t even matter that all the stories sound the same to Burgh.

“(The children are) breaking out of their shell,” said Chris Bohrer, the dog’s owner.  “They’re not so afraid to be around either a dog or an adult and they generally start reading louder and louder.”

The program has made for positive results.

“I just think because you’re training and reading to at least somebody before you read to an actual real person,” said Tommy Fanning of the Reading To Dogs program.  “Whether it’s getting over shyness or just getting confidence in their ability to read aloud, or whether it’s actually improving their reading, I hear about it from the parents.”

The children are going from beginning readers to chapter books in a matter of weeks.

“However you can get them to love reading or enjoy reading, I think it’s a wonderful thing,” said Janel Fanning, the mother of one of the students in the program.

Read more and watch this story: Dogs Helping Children Learn To Read

Young at heart: Elderly librarian says kids keep her alive [Video]

Here is a library worker who is older than many of the books on the shelves but she says her elementary students keep her young at heart.

Arlene Greene turns 82 this summer and she credits the kids at Wengert Elementary for her new lease on life. “When I first came here to Nevada I was sitting around, doing reading, watching T.V. and I was slowly dying and my daughter said, mom, ‘you are going to die like this. You’ve got to volunteer.'”

Greene now volunteers five days a week. Wengert’s principal, Suhaila Mustafa, says, “She is very sweet, very kind to them.’ Mustafa says Greene resembles grandma and provides a family atmosphere.   

Greene is no push over, though, and the kids know it. A book overdue is a book overdue. And she is a stickler when it comes to saying “please and thank you.”

Greene says, “I would encourage everybody who doesn’t know what to do with themselves, who have nothing, their children have married or gone away, jump into a school. Volunteer and work with the kids. It’s like living all over again.”

Read more and watch this story: Cool at School: Young at Heart

Photo: Flickr user apdk

Childhood books exhibit stirs up great memories [Video]

This story reminds me of my childhood! I had tons of these books as a kid. I have great memories of sitting in my Mom’s lap as she read them to me. I had no idea they’ve been around as long as they have.

When you were a child you probably read one of “The Golden Books.” Now you can see some of the original artwork from these children’s classics.

You probably read “The Three Bears,” “Henny Penny,” or one of “The Golden Books.” Now some of the original artwork from the series is on display at the Pratt Library’s main branch.

“It’s really a fabulous exhibit. I think it brings back a lot of memories for people. These are the books that many of us grew up with,” said Ellen Riordan, Pratt Library Children’s Services Coordinator.

Today’s children have their favorites, but the “Golden Books” were introduced in 1942 and were an instant success.

“My favorite, ‘Henny Penny,’ is here. You just think back to better times. In these challenging times I think it helps people to re-connect to what’s really important–family, being together and the simple pleasures,” said Dr. Carla Hayden, CEO of Enoch Pratt Free Library.

They have the “Great Big Fire Engine” to the all-time best seller “The Poky Little Puppy.”

“And it brought back so many memories. It’s wonderful just as an art exhibit, not just as a nostalgia fest,” said Lynn Jensen, book reader.

You can fill out a post card to tell about your favorite “Golden Book” memory. It seems everybody has one.

“Baby boomers and even children today remember the stories of “The Three Bears,” “Henny Penny,” “The Great Big Fire Engine.” All of your favorites are here,” said Riordan.

 Read more and watch this story: Childhood Books Exhibit Stirs Up Great Memories