Weekly Storytime at Barnes and Noble Draws a Crowd

Like many toddlers, my daughter loves sitting down with an interesting book. Although a big part of that is touching and turning the pages of the book - often in the wrong order - I still  thought it would be fun to check out the Storytime at the Barnes and Noble in the Fair Lakes Promenade.

We got there just as things were starting and it was packed. Some kids were sitting on the benches in the children's book section while waiting to hear The Kissing Hand, which is a story about a raccoon who does not want to go to school. This book is best suited for the kindergarten age, so it only held the attention of a few.

Other children were running around talking or playing at the train table - a nice addition since it entertained the toddlers while their older siblings focused on the story. Of course this was also the first thing my daughter ran to and we missed the entire story. She was quite content to just push trains around the wooden track, and she was too busy playing with the water tower to notice that the second story (Hand, Hand, Fingers, Thumb) began. I started to pry her from the toys when they concluded with a coloring sheet of a raccoon.

While all children are surely not going to sit quietly and listen to a book or two, I didn’t expect it to be so bustling. It was busy. And loud. Parents conversed, babies cried and toddlers were chased. Another typical Monday for us I suppose, with the added benefit of some new toys to explore, new stories to hear and new faces.

Where: Barnes and Noble - 12193 Fair Lakes Promenade Drive, Fairfax, VA 22033
When: Mondays and Fridays at 10:30 am
Cost: Free
The Basics: Located in the children’s book section of the Barnes and Noble in the Fair Lakes Promenade, kids can sit and enjoy two stories and then finish with a coloring sheet. Younger siblings can play with the train table that is moved into the story area.