By Avonlea Cummings
Hometown Weekly Reporter
Campfire stories are unlike any other; they are stories that are passed down from generation to generation, it’s something that as a kid you listen and understand to then share with friends and family of your own.
Throughout the summer, the Sherborn Public Library has been offering local events for young families to enjoy through their Summer Reading 2023 program; Find Your Voice. Last Wednesday on July 19th, the youth and their parents crowded around in the Sherborn Public Library’s community room, all with their stuffed animal friends, excited to listen and find their own voice that evening.
The Parent’s Choice award-winning- storyteller Davis Bates welcomed the audience with gratitude making everyone feel welcome. For an hour, on-goers watched, listened, and interacted with Bates’ stories. Children were in awe as Bates shared the legends of unique creatures that brighten daily lives, like monarch butterflies. Although, what good is campfire stories without campfire songs? As Bates introduced new songs to the audience, he encouraged all to sing along with him as songs involved interactive hand motions, where children learned words in sign language, like applause, and thank you.
Bingo, the magical wooden dog, was the star of the hour, as Bates taught the crowd how to wake up Bingo, and suddenly Bingo was dancing to his favorite song, Bingo was his Name O. Alongside fun dancing and singing, Bates shared stories in-between songs as well as special instruments to play along to like spoons, rain makers, and more.
As the campfire stories wrapped up to an end, it was time for a special moment of goodbyes for the children as they hugged their stuffed animals one last time before leaving. Soon, their stuffies would have a sleepover in the Sherborn Library where they would take on new adventures in the book stacks and more all documented for the kids to see the following morning.
Campfire stories and songs are a favorite pastime among many from their youth, whether you are in front of a campfire or not, stories are how we connect with one another to grow a stronger community. Bates created the perfect evening of fun stories and songs to entertain, and the audience was thrilled to have such an experience. Are you interested in attending one of the Summer Reading 2023 events? Check out https://sherbornlibrary.org/calendar to learn more!
