Seuss’s story time

Joey Flores, News Editor

March 1, 2013

During the city library’s story time, on February 27, library employee, Angie Macias, read Dr. Seuss books to the children, in honor of his literary contributions. The library hosted two days, one in Spanish and the other in English, available for children to listen to the stories.

Rhymes and giggles were underway as the Dr. Seuss Celebration started at the Downey City Library on February 27. The celebration is an annual event that is meant to pay tribute to the author for his birthday.

Library assistant Angie Macias-Mendez was the storyteller for the event, and she’s enjoyed hosting it for the past seven years.

“We do different themes throughout the month. Every week is something different,” Macia-Mendez said. “This month is Dr. Seuss because of his birthday and because of Read Across America, which we do because we just really want to celebrate reading.”

March 2 marks Dr. Seuss Day, which is also called National Read Across America Day, is on the author’s birthday because of the impact he had on literature. Dr. Seuss’ real name is Theo Geisel. He published forty- six children’s books during his lifetime. The library hosts this event by welcoming parents and students of all ages. After the reading finished, free snacks were available to the audience. This story time has proved to be fun enough to have people return.

“He [her grandson] just loves it. And I think it’s great for him to have the interaction with other kids, especially when it’s something fun like this,” grandmother Norma Romero said.

Romero has been coming to story time at the library for a little over a year and keeps coming back because of the interactive involvement it brings to her grandson. During the read along, the children are encouraged to keep quiet, but to also chime in on certain parts. Near the end of Oh, the Places You’ll Go!, one girl voiced her opinion on the rhyme by saying that it sounded funny. This brought up a simultaneous giggle from the audience of toddlers. The audience had approximately thirty kids, which is preferred by the audience because of the upbeat environment they create.

“The last time I came to a story time, she [her daughter] made a couple of new friends,” mom Cindy Duarte said. “This is my fourth time coming because of how much she has. As soon as she gets here, she forgets about me to listen to the story. It’s great.”

Seuss’ children’s books still grab the attention of their readers, whether it be a grown adult or a child. Duarte’s daughter is one of many who sat with wide eyes as the storyteller read the books. Duarte then went on to say that it’s refreshing to hear the story rather than watch it on television, which captivates children more nowadays. This is one of Read Across America’s goals- to get kids more interested in literature.

The Dr. Seuss Celebration proved to be appealing to the children after the books bring smiles to their kids’ faces and also because of the creative setting the library encompasses.

About the Contributors

Joey Flores, News Editor

Joey Flores is a 14-year-old sophomore at Downey High as well as a writer and News Editor for The Downey Legend. Flores chose to join the 2012-2013 staff because he wants to gain experience in journalism, since he aspires to work for Details or Rolling Stone magazine. He plans to attend the University of Oxford or NYU. “I have a minor obsession with the U.K.,” Flores said when asked why he wanted to attend the University of Oxford. He admitted that he will miss his friends and family when he’s away for college, although he won’t be missing the California weather. The News Editor always preferred English over any other subject. “When I was younger I always preferred English because I felt that I had the freedom when it came to creative writing,” Flores said. Along with being on the newspaper, he is also taking Honors English 10, which will help enhance his writing skills. Flores’ main goals are to fulfill everything that comes his way and to come up with interesting stories that will receive multiple views. The staff member enjoys listening to indie and alternative rock. He is a big fan of the 80s band, The Smiths. Flores loves doing community service and is a member of the Key Club. The News Editor enjoys helping others and wants to help “beautify the community.” Flores has volunteered at recovery centers, like Rancho Los Amigos. He participated in a carnival for the disabled patients at the RLARC. “It was very eye-opening because you realize that they are incapable of doing much, but they never give up,” he said. Although Flores has a lot on his plate- being The Downey Legend’s News Editor, volunteering at rehabilitation centers, and succeeding in AP European History and Honors English 10- he will manage to stay on top of everything and make his sophomore year a memorable one.

Alexandra Menendez, Photographer

Returner Alexandra Menendez took up photography for The Downey Legend her junior year. Since the purchase of her first camera as a mere 6^th grader, photography has been a point of interest for the 17 year old; the school newspaper is just one on a long list of creative outlets she uses to express her photography skills. “I like having the ability to capture a memory before it’s gone forever.” Menendez says. Outside of campus, she refines her skills through photo-shoots with her friends and sister along the railroad tracks and otherwise simple backdrops. She plans on enrolling at San Francisco State and studying to be a professional photographer, but if all else fails, she aspires to at least be a qualified teacher. Currently, she is attending the ROP class Principles in Education to guide her into being the ideal photography instructor she aims to be. The soft-spoken Menendez lives her life to the fullest of its potential each and every day. She is a proud film enthusiast, lover of Asian cuisine, and self-proclaimed introvert – though she claims to enjoy wasting away the weekends with her friends. Nonetheless, rather than having a traditional quinceñera with the spotlight on her, Menendez chose to travel Europe alone. “I’ve always wanted to go, just to see new places I’d never seen before.” Menendez says. “I wanted something new. She still longs to travel the rest of the world – all the while, documenting her trips through a camera lens. A small girl, Menendez has big dreams ahead of herself.