Summers

SHEPHERDSTOWN — As Shepherdstown residents follow the statewide order to stay at home and avoid close contact with more than five people, Four Seasons Books has found a way to make it possible for community residents to remain connected with each other.

Through their Facebook page, the local bookstore is offering virtual story times, poetry readings and book readings, to help entertain and educate community members of all ages, who can communicate in the comments section with each other and the person leading the meeting on Facebook Live.

On Tuesday afternoon at 2 p.m., community members tuned in with their younger children to watch the first weekly children’s virtual story time, led by Maryland resident Jackie Summers.

“I used to work at a book store when I was in my mid-20s. I was a children’s specialist. I did story time there, it was always so much fun. Then I went to college, and now I work as a behavior check with children with autism,” Summers said. “So I still get to read stories and have a lot of fun.

“My dear friend Leigh, that works at Four Seasons, asked me to do this, and I couldn’t say ‘no.’ This is my first time doing this,” Summer said of a virtual story time. “I have a ton of children’s books. I have an adorable nephew who is five-and-a-half, so I’m using his children’s books.”

Summers spent about 15 minutes reading and talking about the three books she read: “Dragons Love Tacos” by Adam Rubin, “We’re Going On a Nature Hunt” by Steve Metzger, a Scholastic book, and “Sun Kisses, Moon Hugs” by Susan Schaefer Bernardo. According to Summers, she chose to read those books, because they are some of her favorites to read her nephew, when he visits her from California.

“‘Sun Kisses, Moon Hugs’ is dedicated to my little doodle – that’s what I call him,” Summers said, with a smile.

According to Book Seller Leigh Koonce, this was the first children’s story time Four Seasons Books has held in a number of years. However, owner Kendra Adkins is hoping to add on a second virtual story time with a different reader on another weekday. And, when the store re-opens, she plans to begin having story times at her store again.

“It’s to keep us relevant, but to also provide a service. To expand our offerings,” Koonce said. “This seemed like a good time to kick it off.”

According to Koonce, he and Adkins are alternating shifts in the store, which is still operating, although its physical location is closed to visitors. However, community members can still purchase books from the store, by contacting the store at 304-240-9550, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. at 304-876-3486 or at 4seasons114@gmail.com. Orders can be delivered through curbside pickup, free at-home delivery within a 15-mile radius or free media mail shipping.

To learn more about the virtual events and book sales, visit www.fourseasonsbooks.com.