We had the privilege of partnering with the Phoenix Public Library to host the first annual Storybook Express at the visually stunning Burton Barr Library in Downtown Phoenix. Over 1500 children and their families attended this first time event. All Aboard the Storybook Express! An afternoon filled with all things celebrating families and literacy. With our partners at the Burton Barr Library we spent a Saturday afternoon filled with activities for everyone to share. From story time, pin-wheel crafts and face painting to balloons, free photos at the Bookmans Photo Booth and a puppet show, the day was packed with something for everyone.

Beloved story book character and television star Curious George made an appearance playing joyfully and stopping to take pictures. PBS stars Maya and Miguel also joined in on the fun. These dynamic pre-teens love reading stories. They joked around with the children while stopping to pose for pictures. Our friend Book Breath, the official spokesdragon of the Phoenix Public Library, greeted everyone at the information desk. A huge thank you to PBS for bringing our special friends to the event. The Great Arizona Puppet Theater amazed the children with beautiful puppets and shared the story of Goldilocks. There were many laughs, amazement and thunderous applause! After that the children learned how to use their hands to create a thunder storm in our music class. A musical parade led by Councilman Nowakowski marched through the library while playing kazoos and various rhythm instruments. It was exciting to make that much noise in a library!

Jill with the Phoenix Public Library read to us during story times and shared stories and songs. The children created dinosaur bone necklaces and pin-wheels with PBS, while the kids dressed in silly costumes for our photo booth. Each child received a ticket for the Storybook Express and for each station they visited they received a stamp. At the end of the ride each child received a special Bookmans book bag filled with fun goodies.

Special thanks to our community partners City of Phoenix Early Headstart, Communities in Schools, First Things First, Arizona Literacy and Learning Center and the Arizona State Library for sharing information with our families about their wonderful programs.

We appreciate all of the families who came out. We hope that you enjoyed your ride on the Storybook Express, created memories to share and that we will see you again next year! A big thank you to the Burton Barr Library for sending each child home with a free book! Find us on Flickr for more photos from the Storybook Express.