Pinkie Mlele, a librarian at Davidsonville Library, recently visited the local TK Campbell Kingdom Kids creche to read a story to children aged three to five. The creche is named after a well-known local teacher and community builder, whose children decided to turn their family home into a creche in her honour.
It all started with a song: “It’s story time. You must sit, cross your legs, and fold your arms because it is story time,” said Felicia Lisa Peterson, the creche’s principal, before the children joined.
Mlele slowly read Mike Jolley’s book Baa Humbug: A Sheep with a Mind of His Own. The kids listened tentatively but enthusiastically. After a while, the class became restless. Mlele changed her approach, showing pictures, asking questions, and reread the book. The key message was to not blindly follow others but to use your own judgement.
Following the reading of the story, one child read the numbers one through hundred. The other child then read the alphabet from A to Z.
“Collaborating with the local library is fantastic. Reading stories to children is a favourite pastime. They enjoy going to the library to read books,” Peterson said.
To promote lifelong learning throughout the municipality, the City of Johannesburg Library and Information Services has launched storytelling and story-reading programmes across all regions. Reading piques one’s imagination, broadens one’s vocabulary, and arouses curiosity. The City’s reading programme is adaptable because it is delivered in libraries, early development centres, nursing homes, prisons, and even online on the Joburg Libraries Facebook page.
When asked how she does it so effortlessly, Mlele replied: “I love children and books. This programme is implemented twice a week. The library welcomes local creches. We also lend them books at no cost.”
“It is critical for children to become acquainted with the library and books. When the weather is bad, we go to creches,” Mlele added.
Residents are encouraged to visit the newly renovated Davidsonville Library in Roodepoort.
17/11/2022