There’s a new piece of furniture in the children’s section of the Stephenson Memorial Library.
A chair painted with characters from well-known books is now a permanent part of the space. An image of The Cat in the Hat precariously balancing a slew of items from its limbs adorns the seat of the chair and a scene in which Winnie the Pooh catches Tigger as he jumps from a tree is painted onto the back rest.
But the seat is more than a decorative piece. It’s called an Author’s Chair and was created with the intention of sparking kids’ imagination and encouraging them to tell their stories.
Julie Perrin, the library’s former director, said she made a concerted effort to expand the children’s literacy programming when she assumed the position in 2014. Perrin said youth have started to engage with authors in meaningful ways as they attend monthly book clubs for pre-kindergarten through grade 6.
The literacy programming is based loosely on the book “Show Me a Story” by Emily K. Neuburger.
The addition of the Author’s Chair furthers the children’s literacy programming vision, she said.
“This initiative would spark children’s storytelling, thus enabling them to expand their creativity and emotional awareness, practice communicating and problem-solving, and ultimately make connections by sharing in the Author’s Chair,” said Perrin, who is now the director at the Jaffrey Public Library.
She said children are encouraged to play, tell, or write a story – or a combination of all three – and then share the final product while perched on the chair.
The Author’s Chair was funded through the Children’s Literacy Foundation, or CLiF, grant. Stephenson Memorial Library was one of six libraries across the state awarded the grant, which includes $2,000 in new books, literacy presentations for local elementary school and preschool students, and $250 in mini grants to support library programs.
The chair was delivered by Greenfield artist Wayne Asbury on Saturday. The delivery also coincided with Perrin’s last day as acting director.
Perrin said she pitched the program to various classes at the Greenfield Elementary School and said teachers and students alike showed enthusiasm about the program.
Sandy Aborn, a second grade teacher at GES, said she and her students were excited about the Author’s Chair.
“I think they were excited about it because it’s something new and it provides a way for them to share with their classmates,” Aborn said.
Aborn said she liked the idea because there are so many ways to share.
She said students can present their written work or bring an item up to the chair and talk about it. There are no rules, which means more kids are likely to participate.
Abby Kessler can be reached at 924-7172, ext. 234 or akessler@ledgertranscript.com.