Story Hour Starring Megan
By Julie Brillhart
Adapted by Amy Sarver
Narrators 1, Narrator 2, Nathan, Andrew, Megan, Megan’s mother
Narrator 1: Once in a while when the sitter couldn’t come, Megan and her baby brother, Nathan, got to spend an afternoon with their mother at the town library.
Narrator 2: Their mother was a librarian.
Megan: I love going to the library because I get to be your assistant. I like putting the books away, picking up the stuffed animals, and watering the plants. My favorite job is decorating the bulletin board.
Narrator 1: When things got very, very busy, Megan was always ready to help with Nathan.
Megan: Most of all I like the library because I love books and learning to read. I can’t wait to read every book in the whole library!
Narrator 2: Whenever she had a chance, Megan would curl up with Fly Up High and try to sound out the words.
Narrator 1: Often she got stuck on a word, and her mother would help her.
Megan: Oh, reading is so hard!
Mother: I know. But keep trying. It will come.
Narrator 1: So Megan kept on trying. She tried at school, in the car, at the supermarket, in the bathtub, after dinner, and even after lights out!
Narrator 2: She had never tried so hard at anything before.
Mother: The sitter can’t come today so you and Nathan will have to come to story hour with me. I hope Nathan sleeps through the story.
Narrator 1: They drove to the library after breakfast.
Narrator 2: Suddenly a stuffed dinosaur came flying through the book slot in the library door.
Megan: Oh, good! Andrew’s here!
Narrator 1: Andrew came in carrying a pile of dinosaur books.
Megan: Guess what? I’m learning to read!
Andrew: That’s great. Are there any new books with pteranodons?
Megan: No. Aren’t you ever going to read about anything else?
Andrew: Dinosaurs are so interesting and cool.I’m going to be a dinosaur expert one day!
Narrator 2: A little later, Megan led the group to the children’s room and passed out nametags.
Narrator 1: She helped the younger children pin on their tags.
Mother: Welcome to story hour. Today I would like to read-
Narrator 2: Right then Nathan let out a howl.
Nathan: Whaaaaaaa!
Narrator 1: Everyone turned to look.
Mother: Please wait just a minute while I check on him.
Narrator 2: She tried everything to calm Nathan down, but he kept screaming.
Narrator 1: The children were getting restless.
Mother: Please be patient. I’m sure we will begin shortly.
Narrator 1: While all this was going on, Megan sat thinking. Suddenly she had a great idea!
Narrator 2: She slipped away and ran to get her favorite book. It was sitting on a table in the children’s section.
Narrator 1: Megan sat down in front of all the children. She felt a little scared.
Megan: I would like to read Fly up High.
Narrator 2: Everyone look at her in amazement. The room became very quiet, and Nathan even stopped crying.
Narrator 1: Megan began to read.
Megan: I saw a bird fly up high. I saw a kite fly up high. I saw a plane fly up high.
Narrator 2: She showed the children the pictures, just the way her mother did.
Narrator 1: She got stuck on a few words, but she kept on going. Nobody seemed to notice when she made a mistake.
Narrator 2: She read the whole book! The children all clapped and cheered. And so did some moms and dads who had come in.
Narrator 1: Megan felt terrific!
Megan: I did it!
Mother: You sure did. And all by yourself! I’m very proud of you!
Andrew: I didn’t know you could read THAT much. Can I borrow your book?
Megan: (laughing) Sure, but it’s not about dinosaurs.
Narrator 2: When everyone had gone, Megan’s mother gave her a big, big hug.
Mother: You were wonderful! You saved the day!
Megan: Yay. I’m going to read every book in the whole library!
ALL: And she started right away.
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