[ccfic caption-text format="plaintext"]
By Stephen Press
Hometown Weekly Staff
The sound is utterly angelic when you walk through the doors of the Wellesley Hills Branch Library. It is almost whisper-quiet, at once melodic and unmistakably tender. It draws you in well before you determine its source: a group of infants and parents in the back of the room, sitting and singing together.
“The wheels on the bus go ‘round and ‘round…”
This is Book Babies at the Wellesley Library’s Hills Branch, and it is perfectly titled. There are both infants and books aplenty here. Not to mention a whole lot of smiling faces, a smattering of puppets, and a handful of songs.
“It’s cute,” says Circulation Assistant Paige Scudder. “It’s always really packed, and everyone always seems really involved.”
Leading the group of children and parents, Children’s Librarian Kristy Pasquariello pulls out some egg shakers and conducts a soft version of “If You’re Happy and You Know It.” Of all the noises that abound here - singing, talking, gurgling, clapping, shaking - one seems conspicuously absent: crying. Chalk that up to Pasquariello’s enthusiastic mastery of her audience.
“My crowd is wonderful,” she says, attempting to deflect all plaudits.
But what about her uncanny ability to keep them engaged and bawl-free?
“I try to read their reactions and usually whip out a puppet if they’re upset,” she admits. “Puppets really solve everything. And shakers. I try to have a puppet in every storytime - especially with the babies, because they’re fascinated.
She motions towards a stuffed panda bear that is easily bigger than some of her tiny audience members. “I use this big panda every week, too,” continues Pasquariello. “I think the panda is the most popular part of storytime. I just watch the babies watch the panda, who does all the movements. He’s the best part. If I didn’t bring Pandy - his name is Pandy - there would be a baby revolt.”
Revolt, however, seems a million miles away today.
Emily Beachler, who is here with her daughter, Margot, is a first-timer and a fan of Book Babies. “It was fun,” she says. “We enjoyed it. We’ll definitely come back. [Margot] loves music - everything music.”
Cori Desantis, who is nannying for little Kate, is a bit more familiar with the Library’s popular offering. “We’ve been coming here for probably about a year now,” she says. “[Kate] loves it. I think she just likes being around the other kids. It’s fun for her to be with other kids - she’s not in school yet, so it’s fun for her to see other people and get the social aspect of it.”
Given the inherent pleasantness of the audience, it’s difficult to imagine anything less than an endearing time at Book Babies.
“I love it. It’s the best job in the world. I do the story-time here and at the other Wellesley branch on Tuesdays,” says Pasquariello. “It’s great. It’s so much fun. They’re the best.”
