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Reminder Assistant Editor WESTFIELD "Hollywood" came alive last Wednesday as many of the A-List comic book and animated film stars turned out for the preschoolers' Halloween Parade at the Boys and Girls Library. Preschoolers dressed as Spiderman, Darth Vader, Sleeping Beauty and SpongeBob were just some of the preschool celebrities strutting their stuff on the black carpet amidst parental shutterbugs. Daniel Paquette, head of Youth Services and emcee, showed up in full Captain Hook regalia, complete with a black eye patch and hook. He kicked off the event with story time, where the preschoolers sat restlessly as he read "The Runaway Pumpkin" by Kevin Lewis and "Mouse's First Halloween" by Lauren Thompson. "This is a fun way for [the children] to get out in a safe environment to show off their costumes," Paquette said. "It's an event to expose them to books in positive ways and to give them positive experiences with books before school." He said that, growing up, he "hated reading" until he realized that he could have "interactions with books other than just for school assignments." Paquette added that he hopes experiences such as the story time and the Halloween Parade provide the children the same excitement for books. Maryclaire Robinson, mother of Cordelia or Deedee Doodle said her daughter said this program, like so many at the Boys and Girls Library, are "right up her ally." She added that the Halloween stories and parade "spark her [daughter's] imagination and creativity." Heather Talbot, mother of Thomas, who went as a cow this year for Halloween, said her son loves the interaction with the other children, as well as the staff. After story time, the children participated in the Halloween Parade where they were able to go trick-or-treating for the first time that day. Touring the library children were able to show off their costumes and get Halloween pinwheels, snap-bracelets, slinkys and candy. Danielle Maloney, mother of three-year-old Ryan (or Spiderman), said her son loved the event, especially because he was able to act like Spiderman for the day. She said she travels from Agawam every year for the Halloween Parade because her son has such a great time. Maloney added that activities such as this promote her son's willingness to read, his imagination and his excitement for reading. She said the distribution of toys during the trick-or-treating allow the children to "get excited about things other than candy." After seeing the success of this year's parade Paquette said it was a "big success" and that he is eager to continue the event next year, which will mark the Halloween Parade's 23rd year. The Boys and Girls Library also hosts a variety of other events for children in the community during the holiday season, such as: drop-in story time every Tuesday from 9:30 to 11 a.m.; a drop-in Thanksgiving craft day on Nov. 17 from 8:30 a.m. 5 p.m.; an after school craft day for students grades three to five on Dec. 6, (sign up is required by Nov. 20); Tiny Tim story time on Dec. 13 at 10 a.m., (sign up is required); a colonial ornaments drop-in craft day on Dec. 15 from 8:30 a.m. 5 p.m.; and Tea with Mrs. Cratchett on Dec. 20 at 10 a.m., (sign up is also required). For more information on current or future programs at the Boys and Girls Library call 562-6158. | ||||||
