Dora the Explorer Instills a Love of Reading

Dozens of young children arrived at the on Monday afternoon for a special story time with their favorite character, Dora the Explorer.

Six-year old Anna Linde and her five-year old sister Kate couldn’t wait to meet Dora at their favorite place. 

“We love the library and we love Mrs. K."( Youth services librarian, Denise Kofron), said Anna Linde.

U.Fund Start U. Reading Literacy Program, a state wide youth literacy initiative that has been around for seven years, was the sponsor of the event.  

According to Sherri Galego of U.Fund, who coordinated Dora’s visit, the purpose of the Program is to start teaching young readers and families how to help their children read books by being creative.

“Reading is the cornerstone to education and development,” Galego said.

She read the story of the Three Little Pigs, but instead of just listening, the children were invited to participate in the activity.  They all took turns pretending to be the pigs in their little homes made out of cardboard boxes while Dora pretended to be the wolf trying to blow each house down.  The children got louder as they tried to keep Dora away.

“The program now incorporates acting and children can use their imagination while reading”, says Galego.

At the end of the story, the children all waited in line to have their photo taken with Dora.  They got to color a picture of Dora while waiting.  They received a sackpack filled with goodies and a book.

“We always have a great turnout and the kids love seeing the characters,” Kofron said.