Richard Shine, a story-teller and retired elementary school teacher from Colorado, visited the Potomac Library on Wednesday, Aug. 16, to entertain children and encourage reading. “Mr. Shine” led about 20 young children in a variety of song and dance numbers about exotic animals and places while parents looked on. In addition to puppet animals and fun props, Shine displayed library books about the topics in the songs for the children to check out.
“I was a reading teacher, so I try to get kids interested in reading,” said Shine, who performed at the Potomac Library with the assistance of his wife and daughter. “My music’s pretty educational. I did a lot of it for the classroom, and a lot of [teachers] still use it for reinforcement in the classroom.”
1,200 local children signed up for the Potomac Library’s summer reading program, and those who completed the required number of books received a certificate, two free Ride-On cards from Montgomery County Transit and a coupon for a free book at Barnes & Noble. Mr. Shine’s presentation was one of the last events for the summer reading program.
“Summer reading’s almost over, but you know what that means,” said Shine to his young audience. “You get to start fall reading!”
Samples of Shine’s educational songs about a fearsome T-Rex, a book-eating shark, a rock-star lion, Hawaiian hula dancers and more are available online at www.mrshinemusic.com. Shine taught school for 32 years and has traveled across the country performing at libraries, preschools, elementary schools and PTA fundraisers.