Reading is the goal for soccer fans at Ridley Library

Union’s Chris Albright and Councilman John McBlain Share Favorite Stories

            Delaware County Councilman John McBlain couldn’t resist improvising by adding his own local color to the children’s tale, “Froggy Plays Soccer,” while reading it to young soccer fans at the Ridley Township Library.

            Every time Froggy’s team scored in the children’s tale by Jonathan London, McBlain had the young listeners chant the Philadelphia Union’s trademark cheer, “Doop! Doop!”

            McBlain joined Philadelphia Union soccer player Chris Albright in a special soccer-themed story time at the Ridley Township Library on Tuesday, July 24. The pair read for a crowd of 80 children and accompanying adults, including Ridley Library’s children’s librarian, Lauren Longbottom.

            Albright, a defender for the Major League Soccer team that plays at PPL Park in Chester, read one of his favorite books, “Don’t Let the Pigeon Drive the Bus” by Mo Willems. The Union player also answered questions about soccer and playing for the Union.

            As part of the soccer story time, the children were entered into a raffle for tickets to see the Union take on the Montreal Impact on Aug. 31st at PPL Park. The winners included Sarah Fegely, 5, of Philadelphia, Josh Geddes, 8, of Holmes, and Lauren Oaster, 13, of Norwood.

Councilman McBlain, Council’s liaison to the Delaware County Library System (DCLS), stressed the importance of reading to his young listeners, before he launched into “Froggy Plays Soccer.”

“Reading during the summer is an important bridge between each school year that sometimes can be overlooked,” said Councilman McBlain. “It is great to have the Philadelphia Union and the county’s Library System team up to promote reading, especially during summer vacation.”

            After the readings, Albright signed copies of his celebrity READ poster, one of several READ  posters created by DCLS to promote literacy and library use throughout the county. Other notables on the READ posters include members of County Council and County Executive Director Marianne Grace with their favorite books. The posters are available at the 26 libraries of the DCLS.

         For information about library events and services, visit the Delaware County Library System website at www.delcolibraries.org or follow at @delcolibraries on Twitter and delawarecountylibraries on Facebook.

             The Delaware County Library System is the department of county government responsible for providing support services for 26 independent member libraries.