Flights of Fantasy Brings Stories to Life

Edgar Tista likes to take his 5-year-old twins, Eric and Erika, to the library to stock up on books and DVDs, and to give the kids some computer time. During one of their regular afternoon visits to the A.C. Bilbrew Public Library in the Watts area of Los Angeles earlier this month, the twins were surprised and delighted by a story-telling theatre troop that captured their attention, and their imagination.

Erika, who volunteered to act on stage with the Flights of Fantasy players in a rendition of the “Three Little Pigs,” said she had a lot of fun. Through classic folk tales from around the world, Lorrie Oshatz and Theresa Amy bring stories to life for young children with songs, props and costumes.

Throughout the month, Flights of Fantasy has performed at library story times in nearly all of First 5 LA’s Best Start communities in conjunction with the November early literacy campaign – Read Early, Read ALOUD!

The events are to raise awareness in our Best Start communities, and countywide, about the importance of early reading with and to children age 0-5. Library visits and library cards can be the first step in generating a love of reading in young kids.  

Judith Weigel, manager of the A.C. Bilbrew Library, joined the Flights of Fantasy players at the end of their show with an arm-load of books featuring tales that transport the reader around the globe. “This is how to travel without ever leaving home,” she told the children and their parents, who all received a book on baby animals and a Read Early, Read ALOUD! bracelet.

There are still a few story times scheduled this month. Be sure to visit the Ready. Set. Grow! literacy section for more information about the campaign, events and the “Share a Moment in Reading” contest.

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