Literacy & Story Time
In partnership with our local libraries, children can explore animals through books and first-hand interactions. Story Times promote literacy, humane education and teach important social emotional learning skills.
About this Program
AWS youth literacy programs combine core education with humane education. Many children find learning easier or more comprehensive with an animal companion by their side. Additionally, simply reading aloud about animals or being read to about animals can teach empathy, compassion and kindness. Our current literacy program, Furry Tales, is a read-aloud program offered in partnership with local area libraries.
Rescue Readers
What to Expect
Open to students in grades 1-8. Rescue Readers brings together elementary/middle school students and resident or therapy pets for a half hour of literary-based confidence building. Reading aloud forms a special bond between student and pet. It provides enrichment and positive socialization for the animal, it boosts confidence in children, and it gives students a safe space to build a positive association with reading.
Students may choose from a variety of books on our special Rescue Readers book cart or they are welcome to bring their own reading materials.
Rescue Readers is on hiatus for the 2024-2025 school year.
Furry Tales Story Time
What is Furry Tales?
Furry Tales Story Time combines pets, literacy, social emotional learning and fun! Toddlers, preschoolers and their families explore the exciting world of animals with stories, playtime, songs, movement and time to visit with a companion animal.
Furry Tales is a free story hour that takes place in partnership with the children’s librarians in our area. It is supported by our Visiting Pets team. Check out the listings here to find out when Furry Tales is heading to a library near you!
Thank you to Kennebunk Savings for sponsoring Rescue Readers and Furry Tales Story Hour for the 2023-2024 school year.
With their generosity, these programs are free to attend.
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Questions?
For more information about the programs we offer our community’s youth, please email or telephone (207) 985-3244 ext. 109.
