This summer, the Barnes & Noble and Ole Miss Bookstore, currently located on Jackson Avenue, is hosting a ‘Reading Corner’ for the local children of Oxford. The free event, which has been held every Thursday at 10 a.m. since last April, offers kids and parents a fun escape during the week.
“We always do a children’s event each summer,” Bookstore General Manager, Laurie Woo, said. “This year we revamped it and gave it a new name.”
Held in the bookstore’s main lobby sitting area, children get to hear a story, make a craft and have a snack with friends. The event is hosted on Thursday mornings as not to interfere with other reading time events hosted by other businesses around Oxford.
At today’s reading, children listened to the classic story “The Very Hungry Caterpillar” by Eric Carle. The children then made a craft by feeding their own caterpillar, made from pipe cleaners and ribbons, through holes cut out of food shaped construction paper. After the craft, they relaxed with milk, water, fruit and crackers.
“We are hoping to keep it going all year long, Director of the Reading Corner, Katie Wallace, said. “We will not have the Reading Corner open for two weeks when school starts, but we will re-open it afterward.”
The Bookstore is currently located in the Jackson Avenue shopping center next to the Malco Studio Cinema and J.C. Penney. Wallace discussed the importance of children getting in the habit of reading and how their new location has opened new doors for them the create new programs.
“The Reading Corner helps encourages kids to start reading at an early age,” Wallace said. “At our new location, we have more access to the Oxford community.”
The bookstore, which moved due to the renovations to the Student Union, will remain at its current location until the fall of 2018. Until then, local families can stop by and have a fun time at the Reading Corner.
“I’m a babysitter and I think this is good because it gives kids something to do that is fun with their friends in Oxford,” Lafayette Elementary teacher, Lauren Patton said.
Allen Brewer is an intern for HottyToddy.com. He can be reached at agbrewer@go.olemiss.edu.
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