Library Story Program

Dear Readers,

Kids love stories, they are an important part of their childhood. And so do they love books. Today I would like to introduce you all to the story programs that are conducted in local public libraries in USA. It is an excellent program for infants to kids aged until 5 years to get them introduced to all sorts of creative thinking. And the cherry on the ice-cream is that it is FREE for all residents.

My daughter started enjoying going to library since she was 8 months old. The whole library visit experience is inviting and exclusive for kids. Right from their wait outside the story room till the right time to start the session. There are tons of educational toys, books and puzzles for kids to explore. Once it is time, the coordinator invites each child with welcome puppet to the room. The room is heaven for kids; colorful carpet with numbers, shapes and designs on it. Walls are decorated with meaningful art décor. Each session lasts for about 20 minutes constituting of music, poems, story-telling and bubble-making for infants. For older kids, the session is customized by providing variety of informative interactions between story coordinator and kids which teach colors, numbers, animals and more. Every session ends in stamping tattoos on kids’ hands of different animals. What a joy ride! To top everything, kids can check out their favorite books to enjoy at home before their next library visit.

The story programs are conducted at least twice daily from Monday through Thursday in every public library branch. The coordinators with their assistant have couple weeks planning break every 3 months to come up with new ideas and themes. Hats off to this management and organizational skills of American public libraries where you can experience their efforts to inculcate honest reading love among kids develop naturally. There is nothing more satisfying than your kid craving for library visit and enjoying reading books even in this age of television and computers!

Sincerely,
Mrs. Dhanashree Arole
(Mother of 2 year old)
Orlando, Florida

दीपावली की हार्दिक शुभकामनाएं!

Wish one and all very Happy Diwali 2009!

This is Festival of Lights, Fire-crackers, sweets, and everything that brings hope and joy to one's family. This year it is being celebrated on two separate days:
Oct 17, Sat: NarakChaturdashi, Laxmipoojan
Oct 19, Mon: Padwa, Bhaubeej

About 2.5 decades ago, I vividly remember friends and family busy for almost two weeks with Diwali preparations. Well Gadkaris most coveted family time together used to be wrapping dry-fruit gift boxes to distribute exactly on Diwali Shubh muhurta. What a test of art, craft, patience, hard work and dedication it used to be!

In current fast world, it is matter of shelling few pennies and one can have hands on fancy gift boxes. My daughter had loads of fun unpacking n number of all sizes of gifts. She is now really an expert. Bless this joyous spirit of lighting oil lamps, hanging fragrant flower garlands, building forts/castles and relishing declicious delicacies.

As always noise and sound pollution have been my matters of concern, especially with megalevel bursting of fire-crackers which I hear as I fall asleep and even wake me up at early hours. However, it is quite encouraging to sense this same anguish among kids today which apalls me and at the same time helps me give sigh of relief. This is surely smarter generation and i hope they get best of everything.

Gandhi Jayanti

Most of puneites today are enjoying another coveted long weekend, thanks to Father of Nation.

Dassera 2009 Wishes!

Everywhere around me I see tantalizing marigold flowers decorating vehicles, adv boards and such. Hats off to this festive spirit

“मराठी संस्कृति आपली, मराठी शान
वाटुन आपट्याची पाने, वाढवू आपल्या संस्कृतीचा मान”