COUNTYWIDE : Seniors Have Tales to Tell Small Fry

Jim Dolan sat down, opened a book and began to spin a yarn. Word by word, he built his story, letting his voice rise and fall to match the actions of the characters in the book.

From the opening sentence, his audience--11 children gathered at the Placentia Library earlier this week--was captivated. As Dolan, 60, read a book about a boy who imagines he sees dinosaurs all over town, the children, ranging in age from 6 to about 12, quietly listened to every word.

Dolan, Dixie Shaw and Peggy Dinsmore were on hand Tuesday for the debut of the library’s Grandparent Readers program. The three seniors have volunteered to spend half an hour every other Tuesday reading to young library patrons. Other volunteers will be on hand on alternate Tuesdays.

Not quite a senior citizen, Dolan more than qualifies for the program. He’s the grandfather of 11 children. He volunteered after seeing a poster advertising the program in the library.

“Since I was a little kid I’ve loved reading. I think it’s important for kids to take a journey through books,” Dolan said. “The best way I know how to offer that is the way my father did--he read to me.”

“Grandparents and Books” was started with a grant from the California State Library. Funds from the grant were used to purchase books, puppets, story boards, supplies and to train volunteers.

Volunteers, recruited from senior centers, retirement groups, social clubs and other organizations, were given pointers in using props to tell a story, how to choose books that would interest their young listeners and tips on presenting a story.

Shaw, an “over-60” resident of Placentia, is a retired schoolteacher. After 25 years in the classroom teaching first and second grades and special-education students, she knows the importance of reading to children, even to those who can read on their own.

Hunt Branch Library in Fullerton and the Orange Public Library main branch have also received grants for the program.

Joan Blumenstein, senior librarian for children’s services for the Orange Public Library, said the purpose of the program is simple--to get children excited about reading by bringing stories to life.

“Children who are read to are better readers, develop better comprehension and a love of books,” Blumenstein said. “It helps with literacy and generally gives a better background for reading.”

Having senior citizens as readers provides an added bonus, Blumenstein said.

“Many families don’t have the benefit of a third generation nearby. This program provides a link between older people and children,” she said.

For the readers, the program offers a chance to spend time with children. Shaw doesn’t see her grandchildren often, so she’s looking forward to the opportunity to read some new children’s books, as well as share some of her favorites with a younger generation.

The Orange Public Library will begin its Grandparents and Books program in April. The program is planned for after-school hours Monday through Thursday, with the possibility of Saturdays as well.

Hunt Branch Library has tentatively scheduled grandparent readers on Wednesday afternoons.

The three libraries are still seeking volunteers to become Grandparent Readers. For information, call the Placentia Library at (714) 528-1906, the Orange Public Library at (714) 288-2420, or the Hunt Branch Library at (714) 738-3122.