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By JENNIFER HOWELL, Tribune correspondent

Published: December 11, 2007

LAND O' LAKES - Shaking your sillies out might not be the typical order of the day at the Land O' Lakes Branch Library. But during the Friday morning toddler and preschool story times, such behavior is encouraged.

Children giggle, sing - loudly - and dance during the programs. And at the forefront leading the activities is youth librarian Alicia Moon-Wan.

The energetic 37-year-old says she makes a point to create a fun, exciting atmosphere for story time, and that means having fun herself.

"I get to be silly," Moon-Wan said. "It's a chance for me to ham it up, and I'm having fun. If I'm not having fun the kids aren't having fun."

Moon-Wan's high school theatrical experience shows while she sings and dances to tunes such as "Hokey Pokey," "If You're Happy and You Know It" and "Shake Your Sillies Out."

She says the songs play a role in getting children to love reading at an early age.

"It's important to start reading to a child as young as possible, and it doesn't have to be just reading," she said. "Singing songs with them and rhyming with them is part of their language development."

Although she may read up to 50 books each week to find the right ones for story time, Moon-Wan recognizes it's the delicate balance of fun, colorful books and silly songs that keeps the 2- and 3-year-olds interested. That's why she spaces the stories out in between the songs.

"With the 2- and 3-year-olds, I have two to three minutes of their attention," she said.

"If the books don't flow, I'm going to lose them. For me it's an advantage to find just the right book to make story time work. If something doesn't work, you get up and shake your sillies out and sit back down and read the next story."

It's a formula that works, says Catherine Edwards, who brings her daughter Ava to the 10 a.m. story time.

She said Moon-Wan does a great job with the children.

"I really like her," she said. "She's very animated."

Fun With A Purpose

Edwards is just one of many parents and caregivers who bring children to story time. The program is very popular at the Collier Parkway library, and branch manager Nancy Fredericks credits the success to Moon-Wan and her rapport with children.

"We get a really nice turnout for story time largely because of her ability to deliver a unique experience," Fredericks said.

In addition to getting a child's attention, making reading fun and exciting can give children the desire to push through struggles they have with reading later on, Moon-Wan said.

She said it's called print motivation.

In order to create that memorable experience at story time, Moon-Wan prepares throughout the week.

Once she chooses the books she is going to use for story time, she reads each one five to six times to memorize them in part so she can give the children eye contact. Moon-Wan gives it her all to win children over for reading.

"Some people say it is utter chaos when I'm reading to the 2- and 3-year-olds," she said. "But it's important for kids to know that reading isn't restrictive. As long as it is a positive experience, they associate that with books and reading.

"If they are restricted and held back, they associate a negative experience with books and reading. That's why I put in as much energy as I can muster."

The effort hasn't gone unnoticed. Melati Minter says Moon-Wan is the reason she brings her 2-year-old son Joel and 3-year-old daughter Claire to story time.

"She's very energetic and so good with the kids," Minter said. "She gives 110 percent and those kids know it. I like the way she reads a story. She adds a lot of personality.

"She's passionate about what she does, and you can see that."

Librarian Finds Perfect Fit

It took more than a decade for Moon-Wan to discover her passion. After she received a degree in English literature from the University of Dallas in 1992, she pursued a career in teaching.

"I always loved working with kids," she said. "But something didn't seem right. I didn't feel comfortable lecturing. I enjoyed reading stories and showing them students how to help themselves.

"Now, looking back, I can see how my experience in education prepared me for becoming a librarian. I like helping children do their own research and finding things they're interested in."

She started working with the Pasco County Library System four years ago, and realized she wanted to be a youth librarian after her first year.

She has received a lot of support from her superiors, Moon-Wan said.

"I started taking as many children's literature classes as I could at the University of South Florida," she said.

In May, she received her master's degree in library and information science from USF. And her desire to become a youth librarian was fulfilled when the Land O' Lakes branch reopened in March and she was chosen for the position.

As youth librarian, Moon-Wan handles all of the programming for children up to age 18, and reads one juvenile book and one young adult book each week.

That is in addition to reading anywhere from 20 to 50 children's books for the 10 and 10:45 a.m. toddler story times and the 11:30 a.m. preschool story time.

She is currently reading "Reading Magic: Why Reading Aloud to Our Children Will Change Their Lives Forever" by Mem Fox, which she says explains the importance of reading to children before they enter school.

Her enthusiasm for the topic is evident. She can fire off statistics on early childhood literacy from the book and from other research.

"I really love what I do," Moon-Wan said. "It makes it not so much work."

AMONG ALICIA MOON-WAN'S PICKS

"The Giving Tree," by Shel Silverstein. "It was one of the first books I read independently."

"Silly Sally" by Audrey Wood.

"Pigs Aplenty, Pigs Galore!" by David McPhail. "I like things that rhyme, and that are playful and silly."

"Martin's Words: The Life of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.," written by Doreen Rappaport, illustrated by Bryan Collier. "I make an adaptation of the song when I read it to toddlers. The pictures are stunning."

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