Philip Modeen, "like [a] living Mr. Rogers," reads to kids (and parents) Monday morning at Stetson.
In the company of other kids, 1‑year-old Kolé stacked building blocks with mom Jamilah Prince-Stewart as the duo took part in one of several activities available at Stetson Library’s latest installment of Stay and Play.
Stay and Play, which runs at Stetson from 10 to 11 a.m. on Mondays and Saturdays, saw about 10 kids and their parents come by to play and read with the help of a librarian. Stay and Play is also available at other library branches, including Mitchell and Wilson.
Phillip Modeen, who has been a librarian at Stetson for over 10 years, read three books to the kids on Monday, including the topical Library Books Are Not for Eating! and Lola at the Library. Modeen also encouraged movement during the reading session; he handed children and parents shakers and colorful scarves.
Modeen also sang songs with the kids, featuring hits “Twinkle Twinkle Little Star” and “All Around the Kitchen Cockadoodle.”
Parent Ginger May said that her family has been participating in the Stay and Play program for seven years. “My kids are 8 and 6 now, and we were coming when the oldest was 1,” she said.
“You know these songs really well,” Modeen joked.
May said her favorite part of the program is the librarians. “Mr. Phil is just like a legend.” she said. “Like [a] living Mr. Rogers, basically,”
Prince-Stewart echoed similar sentiments, agreeing that Modeen reminded her of Mr. Rogers.
“The kids love him,” she said. “He has a very gentle and intentional way of working with kids.”
Prince-Stewart said the free program is a great resource for kids that aren’t in pre-school or daycare. Plus, the fact that there is parking near the library is a “game-changer,” she added.
She noted that the program is great for parents, too.
“I’ve met parents here that I’m now friends with,” she said.
Modeen said the goal of the program is not only to promote literacy through songs and rhyme, but also to bring families together.
“I had a family that met as a group here, and now they go on the trails together,” he said.
A parent who identified himself as “Mr. Taylor”, father to Leilani, was listening to a Jamaican sports show while watching his daughter play with cooking-themed toys.
“I’m always cooking, and she loves to be in the kitchen,” he said.
Mr. Taylor said it was their first time at the Stetson Library’s Stay and Play, but they had attended at other branches before. They had heard about the program through friends, and they were liking it so far.
Modeen said the library sometimes hosts special story times. In June, Stetson took Stay and Play to Scantlebury Park, where instead of bringing toys, kids were free to play at the splash pad.
Stay and Play story times are also eligible for the city’s summer reading challenge, where kids can play a Monopoly-like game to win various prizes.
Other programs at the library include a maker space for teens, which is open Monday through Thursday from 3 to 5:30 p.m. There is a 3D-printer, a sewing machine, and more resources for teens to explore.
Modeen said his next idea for the kids is sensory bins, and added that he would like to create a space-themed one, with gravel for the kids to dig around in.
Jamilah Prince-Stewart playing with her son Kolé.
Avi with mom Lucy Gellman. [Note from Editor Tom Breen: That's my fam!]