Youngsters 'Paws-a-While-to Read'

Charley and Nettie were lolling on the library floor, listening to one terrific tail.

Make that tale.

These two big sweet Bernese Mountain dogs were being read to by their owner, Lori Friedli, with able assistance from a handful of enraptured children during the Rye Free Reading Room's "Paws-a-While-to Read," which occurs every third Sunday from 2-4 p.m. 

Many of the kids there, who ranged in age from 4 to 8-years old, seemed to enjoy reading already, but having two certified therapy dogs brought them out in droves and seemed to motivate them to call out words with great gusto they recognized while Ms. Friedli's read "Tucker Gets Tuckered."  

Which is the point.

"We have the program to encourage literacy and to ease the fears of reluctant readers," said Donna Harvey, the library's Children's Room manager. "Being in a calm social setting with other kids and Charley and Nettie relaxes anyone who has social anxieties about reading. But sometimes, parents bring their little ones for other reasons."

Like?

"Because they're afraid of dogs," Ms Harvey said, chuckling. "After two hours with Charley and Nettie, those fears tend to evaporate."

That's for sure. Looking around the room, you saw nothing but smiles. Sure, that's partly because Ms. Friedli was reading a funny book about a clever Bernese Mountain dog, but it was really because of those two four-legged examples actually sitting by these readers' sides. All the children took turns petting Charley and Nettie and it was hard to tell who was feeling more centered and relaxed.

Rye resident Jodi Press, who brought her sons Tucker, age 4, and Clyde, age 6, said she was just looking for something fun to do with her boys.

"My husband is in Manhattan with our daughter," said Press, "and we wanted to do something fun, but that had a little substance, too. Tucker is just learning to read, but he also loves dogs. We have a Cocka-Poo at home. I thought this would be an ideal place to show him how much fun the whole reading process is."

Watching Tucker join in and call out words he recognized, one can't help but agree.

The same held true for Gina Tampio and her 4-year old son, Giuliano. Not only is Giuliano reading already, but as Ms. Friedli turned the pages, the young boy not only called out the words, but signed them as well. So, the assembled also got a short, impromptu session in the art of speaking to the deaf.

"We wanted him to be able to communicate with everyone," said Rye resident, Ms. Tampio. "So we taught him to sign."

The signs that these kids were having a great time learning to read were everywhere—with smiles, laughter, and children introducing themselves to one another. And not a videogame or headset was in sight.

"I remember one boy, a few months ago, who didn't want to come in," Ms. Harvey said. "He was actually crying on the outside steps of the library. His mother finally got him in and he took his place. At the end of the afternoon, he was crying again. But this time, it was because he didn't want to go!"

Paws-a-While-to-Read takes place at The Rye Free Rye Reading Room, downstairs in the Children's Room, on the third Sunday of every month. For more info call Meg Stackpole at 967-0480.