Marine Corps Sergeant Advocates Early Literacy Development As Library's Special Guest Storyteller

U.S. Marine Corps Sgt. Kristopher Stoner, 25, of Glenolden, has traveled many places during his 7 years of active duty with the U.S. Maine Corps. Wednesday, May 25, he travelled to to be the honored special guest storyteller during the library’s event for children aged 3 through 6 years old. A few kids donned their pajamas.

Sgt. Stoner read “Who’s Shoes? A Shoe for Every Job” by Stephen R. Swinburne, which is the 2011 selection for Pennsylvania’s “One Book, Every Young Child” reading initiative to promote early literacy development. The program encourages parents to discuss books with their children. Since 2006, several collaborating agencies have worked to foster reading skills in preschoolers through this initiative, the PA One Book Web site explains.

Outreach Librarian Chris Palmer greeted guests as they entered the library’s lower-level event room.

Youth Service staff members Julie Devaney and Amber Bleiler held up the large book while Sgt. Stoner read.

Some parents sat in, while others took the time to peruse library bookshelves.

Kids were very well behaved sitting with crossed “pretzel legs,” listening intently and responding when Sgt. Stoner asked them to match a job to each pictured pair of shoes.

Sgt. Stoner wore shiny his black shoes and service uniform. He explained to the kids that he “fixes all the big trucks everybody drives.” Sgt. Stoner is an auto mechanic instructor but added he’s done “a little bit of everything” in the Corps. He’s been stationed at Camp Lejuene, North Carolina.

Other guest storytellers, who’ve read selections during the library’s many events, have included police officers, firefighters, township government officials and Wendy Yohn, principal of the Springfield Literacy Center. 

Visit the Springfield Patch event calendar to find more upcoming library events.