Read With Me, A Children’s Bookshop in Raleigh is a young bookstore with (already) great success. The doors have been open for six months and the staff is here to celebrate children’s literacy and education. Upon arrival, you are immediately spellbound by the decor, books and crafts surrounding you.
I was invited to be a guest reader on a Saturday at 11:00am, during one of their regular story-times. I was thrilled to share my craft with the community at such a wonderful bookstore.
They have the greatest seating that back’s up to a wall of windows. It gives the kids an option to pay attention to the reader or people watch (you can, after all, learn a lot from doing both)! As you can tell here, my very own mother-in-law and son were so entranced with the sidewalk that they weren’t even paying attention. I guess once you’ve heard the book a thousand times, you’re kind of over it, right?
After my readings, I love chatting about the types of dreams that kids experience at night. One little boy was so excited to tell me about sailing on the wide open sea in his latest dream. Another claims he could fly without a cape. This type of imagination and excitement for the make believe world is what I hope for and encourage at my author visits.
Read With Me was kind enough to put together a craft that followed the reading. Kids were pumped to make their very own lanterns to take home. These lanterns were filled with glitter and topped with a beaded handle. I love anything that can help children get excited about bedtime.
If you’re ever in downtown Raleigh, pop into this store. The owner, Christine, is very careful about selecting beautifully made books. The store is organized by age and book type, making it dangerously easy to find just what you need. I, personally, left with a make your own board book kit. You’ve got to start them young, right?
Jacqueline Leigh 