Story Time

with Heather Albinson

New stories dropping each week: May 3rd (noon), 12th (9pm), 17th (noon), 24th (9pm)

 Who do you think creates children’s books?

(Hint: It’s not children.)

I remember many evenings working in a children’s bookstore when we would be suddenly full of restaurant patrons awaiting a cleared table at the eateries down the block. They were almost always adults without kids tagging along, unlike our daytime clientele, and were just looking for a place to kill some time before their reservations.

I cannot tell you how many times I overheard the sentiment along the lines of “I feel so silly in a children’s bookstore. I don’t even have kids.” (This person would be simultaneously unable to contain their delight as they wandered through the shop.)

 And this got me to thinking: why should stories with pictures only be for kids?

Humanity is obsessed with story. From bookstore to box office, tabloid to tapestry, comic to cave wall, we have, and always will be, obsessed with story. (And most of these are accompanied by pictures!)

There are countless reasons for this. Stories are ways to share information, to learn from the lives of others, and to be entertained. They are accessible, endless in the breadth of their representation, and can be shared across languages and cultures.

They’re also a safe place to learn about ourselves.

My love of stories, and especially stories full of pictures, has only grown in my adult years. There are few places as safe as a picture book to talk about the simplest, yet also most profound traits of the human experience. Sure, some books are meant as fundamental building blocks containing base information that we as adults already know (numbers, letters, shapes). But, more often than not, the humble picture book actually has something to offer anyone of any age, maybe even something you and your big adult brain has forgotten about your innermost self.

We decided that the safety and comfort of being read a picture book was a perfect way to mark Mental Health Awareness Month and our theme of ‘Re:Connect’. Books can reflect ourselves back to us, as well as open windows into the many ways people can live and be in this world. A safe and comforting vantage point that can teach us so much if we’re willing to look and listen.

In these virtual story times, we will be exploring some simple themes through the lens of picture books, in hopes that a little pause to revel in the delight of being read to can offer you a safe place to connect to yourself, or to even just be restful---no matter how old you are.

Grab a snack and get cozy! It’s story time!