There’s nothing like a good pirate story, whether on the big screen, a TV show, cartoon, or a children’s book.
The tales of daring outlaws on the seas capture the imagination. With that in mind the Society of the Four Arts again made its last Preschool Story Time the End of Season Pirate Party.
The April 30 event drew 194 children age 4 and younger — many in pirate costumes — and 188 adults.
The preschool story time began in the Philip Hulitar Sculpture Gardens, where head of Children’s Library Susan Harris read “Pirate Jack Gets Dressed” by Nancy Raines Day. Children’s Librarian Samantha Merigold read “How I Became a Pirate” by Melinda Long, sharing the reading with Library Committee Chairlman Robert L. Forbes.
“Everyone should have a reading buddy,” Merigold told the group. “It is always more fun to read with a friend – and Mr. Forbes is the best reading buddy!”
Each family received a pre-stuffed Children’s Library bag with pirate craft, a copy of “How I Became a Pirate,” a pirate hat and eye patch, and a treasure map.
“Our treasure map was a map of the Philip Hulitar Sculpture Gardens with a few red X’s on it,” Merigold said. “The preschoolers then used the map to find treasure!”
The pirate scavenger hunt featured blow-up treasure chests and pirate ships the kids could find at the X’s that were filled with coins, jewels, pirate spyglasses, bracelets, bubbles, candy necklaces and other items.
“Everything our little pirates needed to end a fantastic season of story times,” Merigold said.
The event was a gift from the Block, Casdin, and Hassenfeld Families. It included lunch and four face-painting stations where children chose their design.
The Four Arts has opened the Children’s Library in its temporary location on the second floor of the Dixon Education Building because of its expansion project.
In July, the Four Arts will hold four Summer Story Times in the Johnson Hall, on the first floor of the Dixon Education Building). They will take place on July 8, 15, 22, and 29. The summer series, for families with children 8 years of age and younger, also is a gift from the Block, Casdin and Hassenfeld families.
This article originally appeared on Palm Beach Post: Preschool Story Time in Palm Beach ends season with pirate stories
Reporting by Palm Beach Daily News / Palm Beach Post
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
By Palm Beach Daily News | USA TODAY Network
