NEWPORT BEACH : Storyteller Wows Tots at Library

The monster was in the bedroom, intent on devouring Grandma while she slept.

A deep snort resounded from the room. “Monster!” one child shrieked, while others gasped.

The noise, to the youngsters’ relief and amusement, turns out to be Grandma’s snoring.

Sporting their nightclothes and hugging their favorite stuffed animals, children 3 through 7 years old listened raptly as storyteller Leola Conner read from “Our Grannie Is a Darling” at Pajama Storytime, a new Monday night feature at Newport Beach Central Library.

The aim of the program is to introduce children to literature and to help them feel comfortable with the written word, said Judy Kelly, director of children’s books at the library.

“It’s to expand their world through song and stories so that they can be familiar with good children’s literature and to get an appreciation of literature at a very early age,” she said. “It also provides a social activity.”

Storyteller Conner, a grandmother of four, becomes a singer and actor, enlisting the tots as her supporting cast for each 30-minute session, starting at 7 p.m. Besides being entertained, she said, the youngsters learn how to interact with both other children and adults, which helps to prepare them for school.

“Most of the time I include books that make it as if I was at home with my grandchildren, cuddled up with them and sharing our stories,” said Conner, a children’s librarian and storyteller for 13 years. “Children who have language directed to them are more interested in learning the language themselves.”

Conner said she chooses the themes for the programs, which usually includes four to five books and a song, based on what interests the youngsters. Monday’s topic was grandparents. Next week’s might be spiders, she said, because a child in her group noticed a spider’s web and asked about it.

Parents say they are enthusiastic about inexpensive entertainment that gives them an opportunity to interact with their children.

Joy Faigan, who brought two of her own children and a neighbor’s son Monday, said she likes the program for several reasons, the main one being that youngsters adore Conner. Beyond that, she said, her children “learn so much from the stories.”

Kelly said studies have shown that children who learn how to use the library at an early age and who are exposed to reading become readers themselves. “Television is very passive,” she said. “This is interactive activity.”

Reading is further encouraged as the children leave the story-time room. Several picture-book bins at their eye level await them, tempting them to choose one to check out.

Information: (714) 717-3800