Rx: Print Books

This month, a study entitled “Differences in Parent-Toddler Interactions With Electronic Versus Print Books” was published in the journal Pediatrics. Its conclusion? “Parents and toddlers verbalized less with electronic books, and collaboration was lower, and that pediatricians may wish to continue promoting shared reading of print books, particularly for toddlers and younger children.”

At Toddler Storytime, held every Friday at Fairyland, librarian-trained storytellers read aloud and lead families in song and movement.

Also this month, my city of Oakland -- thanks to the passage of a recent bond measure -- announced that it will extend its operating hours for all public library branches. I am overjoyed—we can now visit libraries six days a week, and on two evenings.

I connect these two events in my mind, especially as someone whose job has me observing toddlers every day. The academic study reinforces what many of us have intuitively believed, that for very young kids, real books have advantages over electronic books or tablets.

Foremost in my mind is the fact that toddlers can access books without help, or electric power-- and the library is a great place for them to explore books that look, feel and are illustrated differently. They can have the autonomy to browse, and pick out books that interest them, that can then be read to them.

At home, whether it’s library books or others, kids can have access to a pile of books whenever they wish to engage, or re-engage. They can show you want they want to read. Toddlers are typically locked out of tablets, so can’t get to books without help.

At Fairyland, Alice’s Reading Room is a cozy space to discover new books and old favorites.

And once toddlers learn the words or plotline of a favorite book you’ve read them, they’ll sit and “read” it to themselves (and you must not laugh). Can’t do this with a tablet. They can skip ahead; go back—what a powerful feeling! A love of reading often flows from here.

There are many other reasons why reading real books to toddlers is a good thing. But the tactility of real books and the opportunity they provide for toddlers to make their own choices about what—and when-- they want to explore, really resonate with me. And the look of toddlers when they see a row of books at the library that they can choose from? Priceless.

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C.J. Hirschfield has served for 17 years as executive director of Children’s Fairyland, where she is charged with the overall operation of the nation’s oldest storybook theme park.

Dolly and Me

By C.J. Hirschfield

I’ve always been a big fan of Dolly Parton’s singing, songwriting, acting and no-apologies, over-the-top style. I never thought we had much in common, though -- until now.

Dolly Parton wearing fairy wings!

You see, Dolly and I are in a special club of women – maybe it’s just the two of us – who run theme parks that champion early childhood literacy: Dollywood and Children’s Fairyland. So in addition to ensuring the ongoing safety of rides, and managing food service and gift shops, we are all about kids and books.

Ron Zeno Day

By C.J. Hirschfield

I’ve written before about longtime Fairyland friend Ron Zeno, who died in June. Ron was Fairyland’s beloved Santa for nearly two decades, as well as a Fairyland board member, a puppet-show voice artist and a regular reader at our Friday Toddler Storytime sessions.

Now I’m pleased to announce that Friday, Dec. 1, has been proclaimed “Ron Zeno Day” by Oakland Mayor Libby Schaaf. We’ll be honoring Ron’s memory at Fairyland that day in several ways.

Ron Zeno reading "Please, Baby, Please" at Toddler Storytime.

We ❤ Our Volunteers

By C.J. Hirschfield

As a small, local nonprofit, Children’s Fairyland depends on volunteers for many of our activities. We work with many local organizations and corporations, but individual volunteers are hugely important to us. How important? Well, this year 400 individual volunteers donated 1,600 hours of time to Fairyland, helping to ensure that our 67-year-old jewel of a park continues to shine.

Two weeks ago, we held a special event – food, drink, toasts – to honor and thank these dedicated people, whose work is matched to their varied interests and talents. Many have found a second home at Fairyland, where we shower them with fairy love. Here are a few of their stories.

Toddler Storytime

By C.J. Hirschfield

A few weeks ago, Fairyland completed a two-day training session for eight new volunteer readers for our popular Toddler Storytime. Four librarians, three teachers, and a professional children’s performer made it through the intensive workshop.

They’re an outstanding group, and we can’t wait for them to share what they’ve learned with our appreciative young crowds, who gather on our Emerald City stage every Friday at 10:30 and 3. The before- and after-nap crowds, as we like to say.

Fairyland's newest Toddler Storytime storytellers. Back row: Shana Barchas, second from left; Angela Moffett, third from left.