For the next three weeks, children at The Westhampton Elementary School will be treated to fascinating Asian folktales told by acclaimed Parents’ Choice Award winning Storyteller Motoko, a native of Osaka, Japan. Some of Motoko’s storytelling activities will be conducted at an all-school assembly, others in the various classrooms. Sometimes, the activities will take place during library time. This means that therapy dog Lily and the other therapy dogs Lilo, Tucker, Zack, and Violet will not have their regular Canine Reading Buddy schedule.
This Tuesday, therapy dog Lily met with first graders only. Second graders had library time with Motoko. Lily had fun listening to three first graders read stories to her – and all the first graders gave Lily the hugs she enjoys so much as the class left the library. Because Lily is such a good Canine Reading Buddy listener, she was invited to remain in the library with the second graders. She, too, had the pleasure of listening, and watching, and interacting with Motoko. 
The stories, which involved movement, and singing, and student responses, were absolutely spellbinding. Lily took it all in in her usual relaxed fashion. She even raised her paw to cast her vote for her favorite character during one of the activities. This was a special bonus for well-behaved therapy dog Lily – and for me, too!
Motoko remains at the school for the next two weeks. Therapy dog Violet, too, is invited to listen to these charming stories on Thursday during her normal reading time with the fourth graders.