“Who does not like 5-year-old people?” asks Volunteer Reader Ken Peterson. Ken most certainly does; since January 2011, he has been spending one hour each week at Harmony Early Childhood Education Center in Renton.

As a father, grandfather and experienced Boy Scout master, Ken knows children. A semi-retired pharmacist, he found the Volunteer Reader Program when he was “looking for opportunities to be helpful.” Each week he brings books from his home to share with Harmony’s 4- and 5-year-olds, adding variety to the center’s collection of books.

The children’s favorite books often feature characters with whom they are already familiar. Ken brings classics such as Berenstain Bears stories and books from the Curious George series. The kids have fun while Ken helps them “think a bit” by asking questions such as, “Do you think George is going to get into trouble?  How would you handle George in this situation?  Do you think they are making the right decisions?”

Thank you, Ken, for sharing your love of reading at Harmony Early Childhood Education Center!