Every time Jennifer Polaski walks into a preschool classroom, the kids know what time it is. They gather around, some bouncing with excitement, others already sitting “criss-cross applesauce,” waiting for the first song to start.

“I can’t sing for beans,” Jennifer laughed, “but they don’t care. When I sing the 'Open the Book' song, they know it's time to begin.”

That simple routine—songs, stories, and a shared love of reading—has become a highlight for more than 30 preschool classes across Newberry County. The fun Jennifer has with the students during story time helps lay the foundation for a lifetime of literacy and learning.

As Outreach Librarian for Newberry County First Steps, Jennifer partners with local preschools and the Newberry County Library to bring literacy activities to 3- and 4-year-olds. Her goal: get kids excited about reading and give parents the tools to keep that excitement going at home.

Each classroom receives two visits per month: first to read the story aloud, and then to return with a copy for each child to take home to add to their own personal library. Over the course of the year, she visits more than 30 classrooms, conducts hundreds of story sessions, and gives away more than 550 books per month, totaling nearly 5,000 books for the program year. 

The books feature fun themes like animals, colors, or seasons and are brought to life with puppets, props, and plenty of enthusiasm. “A lot of my job is just to be a little entertaining with a book and show them that books are fun,” she said.

Each session begins with a fun song or activity to help kids settle in. In a world full of screens, she emphasizes the importance of making reading engaging. “When I'm reading, I try to point things out in the book or ask questions as we go,” Jennifer explained. “Even if a child can’t read yet, just seeing the words and having someone point to them helps them understand that those marks have meaning. They begin associating letters and sounds with written language.”

The second classroom visit gives students another chance to hear the story—this time, with the goal of sharing it at home. “On the second visit, we read the book again because I want them to really know it when they take it home. I want them to be excited to pull it out of their backpack and share it with their parents,” she said.

To help families make the most of their time together, Jennifer includes a tip sheet with each book, offering advice to parents on how to read aloud and make the experience enjoyable for the whole family.

“I tell the kids, ‘Don't forget to tell Mommy and Daddy to look at the sheet—that’s a note from Ms. Jennifer!’” she said. “It’s just basic education strategies, like activating prior knowledge, asking questions during reading, and making connections to their own lives.”

She also shares game ideas and general tips to further encourage early literacy. One simple suggestion? “Bring books with you—in the car or places where you might be waiting—instead of handing them a phone or iPad,” she advised. “One of our songs says, 'Read anywhere you are. You can read in the car!' That’s a message I always try to reinforce.”

To further promote family literacy, Jennifer helped launch “Book Brunch,” a community event designed to model how parents can engage with books at home. To her surprise and delight, nearly 50 families attended the first event in 2023. “The library hosted it, and we set up activity stations. Every child got a book, and I modeled how to read it with them,” she said. That year’s theme—animals that hatch from eggs—introduced kids to the big science word “oviparous.” Each child went home with 10 plastic eggs, animal figurines like lizards and snakes, and simple counting games, as well as information about local reading resources, including the library’s early reader section. The Book Brunch has since become an annual tradition.

The Newberry County Library continues to offer literacy programs year-round, including daily reading challenges, language-rich activities, and tools to help make reading a daily routine.

Jennifer’s Advice for Parents: “Read every day—and go to your library,” Jennifer encourages. “Even if you have books at home, there’s something special about letting your child pick out a book and get their own library card.”

To help your child get excited about reading, make a trip to the library a special outing, let them choose their own books, get them their own library card, or attend story time and library events. Because when reading is fun, children will want to keep reading—and that’s where lifelong learning begins.

Learn more about Library Based Programs and other parenting programs offered by First Steps. 

Topics: Parenting, Literacy