If you are the parent of a youngish child you may remember the little pang of wish-that-were-me that came while reading E. L. Konigsburg's Newberry Award-winning book "From the Mixed-Up Files of Mrs. Basil E. Frankweiler." Oh to be Claudia Kincaid and her brother Jamie who have run away from home to live at the famed Metropolitan Museum of Art. The book is proof positive that a museum is a great place for a story.
The Frye Art Museum is counting on that. On April 1, the museum will launch a new program for young museum goers, bringing story and art together to encourage literacy and school readiness. "Small Frye: Storytelling in the Galleries" is a free, drop-in story-telling program in which Seattle Public Library staff will bring classic children's stories and contemporary favorites to life right in the middle of museum galleries.
Small Frye leaders will use tales and songs to introduce pre-kindergarten children to a wide variety of words and sounds that will prepare them for reading and writing. Movement and play will be incorporated into story time, fostering creative thinking and problem solving in an interdisciplinary environment. Stories planned for April, May and June will share the themes of transformation and renewal.
An educator or library staff member will lead each 30-minute session. The events will be held in gallery spaces so that children are surrounded by art. They may even get a chance to sit in the Frye's special "conversation seats," antique sofas that allow three people to have a conversation while comfortably seated side-by-side.
After story time, children and their families will be encouraged to explore the exhibitions and visit the Frye Café for kid-friendly snacks.
Small Frye storytelling will take place on the first Friday of each month at 11:15 am. The program is designed for children 3-5 years old with their parents or caregivers. Registration is not required for this free drop-in program. Preschools are encouraged to book a group reservation:(206) 432-8211.
For more information, visit the Small Frye page on our website: http://fryemuseum.org/program/small_frye/.
