On Tuesdays, the Westland Area Library welcomes dozens of children for their popular program, Music and Movement Storytime. For close to 45 minutes, the youth services librarian leads the pre-school aged children through a song and dance routine and then reads a number of interactive books to spark their curiosity while burning off some extra energy. Occasionally, the activity-filled program will welcome a few special guests that slither and hop and make other kinds of noises that are sometimes heard at the event even without featured stars in place. At the March 14 Music and Movement Storytime, the children and library staff welcomed a 5-year-old black Labrador Retriever named Mia and a 7-year-old Newfoundland named Theo to their festivities. In addition to encouraging the youngsters to read books – especially the reading material about them! – they also lapped up the affection and attention everyone lavished upon them during their first foray at the event. Here, westside resident Jade Miller snuggles up with Theo after the program. Theo’s humans, Denise and Roger Mengerink from Galloway, said he would soon be re-energized after he gobbled down a few chicken nuggets that were waiting for him. The trio said they enjoyed being a part of the Music and Movement Storytime program and would love to come again.
