Canalside in downtown Buffalo was filled with young 'super heroes' Wednesday. WBFO's senior reporter Eileen Buckley says young children dressed as their favorite super hero to attend the Storytime Series that promotes reading.
The summer-time event is presented by Every Person Influences Children known as EPIC. Buffalo Mayor Byron Brown was a guest reader. He read the book "We're All Wonders" to the children. https://youtu.be/l7pSWFWLfjY","_id":"0000017a-3476-dad6-adfb-f6f718070000","_type":"035d81d3-5be2-3ed2-bc8a-6da208e0d9e2"}">https://youtu.be/l7pSWFWLfjY">https://youtu.be/l7pSWFWLfjY","_id":"0000017a-3476-dad6-adfb-f6f718070000","_type":"035d81d3-5be2-3ed2-bc8a-6da208e0d9e2"}">https://youtu.be/l7pSWFWLfjY
"We tend to pick themes that kids have a lot of fun with and that we can tie in educational components, so the activity today – they are making superhero cups and what’s more fun for kids then to come out and dress up as your favorite superhero and learn along the way,” said Tara Burgess, executive director at EPIC.
The Storytime Series continues attracting a diverse group of children, parents, families and grandparents, encouraging children to continue reading throughout the summer months.
“So by providing parents with the tools that they need to help really enhance those activities and those learning experiences over the summer, that helps to prevent some of that slide and hopefully when kids start back to school in September – they’re ready to go, they’re still thinking about education – they’re still thinking about reading – they’re still thinking about the math skills that they learned and they kept those skills working throughout the summer,” remarked Burgess.
Storytime features educational themes, a selected book and family activities.
Buffalo Public School 17 student Miracle said it was a fun event where she make some crafts and enjoyed the book reading.
“This is a cup, this is a map, this is a shield and this is another shield,” Miracle showed off her crafts.
Miracle said her favorite superhero is Wonder Woman and when we asked what she likes about reading, she responded “getting to know about it.”
Buffalo Public School 17 Keyareri was enjoying the Storytime activity. She said she likes reading chapter books. “Pete the Cat and the Worst Day of My Life.”
Marshawn is from the Charter School for Applied Technology. His favorite super hero is ‘Cat Boy’. He also likes to read. His favorite is “Dog Man.”
The children paraded around Canalside to show off their superhero outfits with Mayor Brown joining in a chant.
“Superhero’s on the go,” shouted the Mayor.
Storytime at Canalside is offered each Wednesday now thorough August 29th from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. The following is the weekly list of themes still to come:
- 7/18 Zoomobile Fun
- 7/25 Let’s Make Music
- 8/1 Nutrition
- 8/8 Fit n’ Fun
- 8/15 Weather Wonder
- 8/22 Let’s Build Something with Our Friends from Home Depot
- 8/29 End of Summer Party
