"Jumping, singing, squirming or deep-snoozing in the cocoon of a stroller or grown-up's arms, kids and babies by the dozens fill a grassy slope in Live Oak Park, moving to the tunes of a band of Berkeley librarians. These city librarians staff reference desks, help locate books on shelves, renew library cards and all the usual duties of the profession. But their job descriptions include another gig: making fun, zany music for children as the library's official Story Time Band."
"The band's repertoire, a kind of world music, hip-hop, reggae, blues, sing-along playlist spliced with read-aloud storytelling is intended to boost early literacy or help children learn language skills, Kwende said. Rhyming. Counting. Word repetitions. If audience size and feedback is a measure, the band is a smash. So popular, it performs today mostly in parks, with regular shows at Freight & Salvage, a downtown venue known for hosting major musi"
Berkeley librarians perform as the Story Time Band, combining guitar, keyboard and drums with puppets, costumes and plush animals in every set. The band mixes world music, hip-hop, reggae, blues and sing-alongs with read-aloud storytelling to encourage rhyming, counting and word repetition for early literacy and language development. Performances draw large audiences of infants, toddlers and caregivers on grassy slopes and at venues like Freight & Salvage and city parks after outgrowing library spaces. Band members continue regular library duties while adding lively, zany musical shows aimed at engaging children and boosting language skills.
Read at www.berkeleyside.org
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