On Guest Stars in Storytime

Last week, I had a guest star at storytime.  She had recently self-published a very cute children’s book and wanted to read it and sell some copies.  She wanted to read at storytime and I agreed to do it, though, I am still not sure how I feel about guest stars.

I have had volunteers come in from time to time to do storytime when I’m not around (like next week, one of the days we have storytme, I’ll be at the Minnesota Library Association conference), but having guest stars is a different matter.  When I have a volunteer do storytime. usually that volunteer has been at one of my storytimes or has experience with small children.  And I’m NOT THERE.  Having a guest star means that not only am I there, but I’m endorsing that person or presenting them.  I’m more than happy to talk up a local author’s book or even bring it in to show it off, but I haven’t had the best experiences with having someone read their own work AT STORYTIME.  Reading out loud to children, especially toddlers, is a skill.  And not one that everyone has.  Not only that but my storytime has a routine – we talk a little about the topic of the day, we sing our introductory song, we read our books, and either sing another song or do a flannelboard, and then have craft time.  Usually our guest stars don’t know the routine, or aren’t interested and throwing out the routine throws off the kids.

I do love to see people excited about kids and books and reading, I think I will be gracefully declining any guest star requests in the future.  It feels a little selfish, but right now it’s what’s working for the kids.  I will keep thinking about this and try to integrate guests in different ways.