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Hyde Park storyteller children's favorite By
Debbie Lamb
Theresa Allred, has been promoting literacy to children for 23 years. She taught kindergarten in Cache Valley for 20 years before retiring, although recently she has been promoting literacy outside a classroom. "I love to read to kids," Allred said. "I try to put the emphasis on the stories. Sometimes I will have a physical or creative movement. I try to make it creative. I don't like coloring books." Allred has been the storyteller for Hyde Park for the past three years. Twice a month she spends an hour reading, singing songs, making crafts and telling rhymes to young children. "Most of these kids that are coming, I know their families real well," Allred said. "Sometimes we have more than this but the most I have is about 20 or 15." As the weather gets warmer the number in attendance drops, but in the cooler months the attendance starts to pick up again, Allred said. "The thing I like best about story time is I get to spend time with my brother and sisters," said Rebecca Johnson a 12-year-old from Hyde Park. "I like the little kids stories and animal stories best." Each time the group meets there is a theme that is applied to each of the activities, Allred said. Most of the time, the theme revolves around a holiday or season, she continued. "When you ever involve other people, say, for instance, a guest, they love it," Allred said. "I have had a woman come and tell about Indian lore and come and show some weaving they loved that." As Allred interacted with the children it was very apparent that she really enjoys her job and that she cares about the what she is doing and the kids who come. "I really appreciate you coming today Jared; you're really a neat kid," Allred said. There is a chance that Hyde Park and North Logan will combine their story time at the new North Logan Library. If this change were to take place, Allred believes that she would not be needed to help with story time. Allred already has started making plans for the future. "I thought it would be fun to go down and read to the children in the hospital," Allred said. "Wouldn't that be rewarding? I think so."
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