DAPHNE, Ala. — Preschool children at the Daphne Public Library’s storytime Aug. 20 learned about friendship through Mo Willems’ “Elephant and Piggy” series.

Cathy Chandler, children’s librarian, read the children “My Friend is Sad” and “I Love My New Toy.” The series shows children the different situations that friends Elephant and Piggy experience.

“Their relationship offers many opportunities to deal with issues that are common to everyday relational situations,” Chandler said. “Through the interaction of these two characters, we see the sources of conflict, how to or not to respond in conflict, how to resolve it, how to be a friend, how to recognize a friend, etc.”

Children — and sometimes parents — sit together on the floor as Chandler reads and shows pictures from the book.

“Reading and craft time offers children a time to experience children’s literature collectively and individually,” she said. “In the group setting it becomes a source of inspiration and entertainment, a chance to connect with other children in a social setting, and a time for creativity and expression.

“It is … common to hear them (parents) say that the kids can’t wait to come to storytime every week.”

The stories allow children to journey to a different place, among different people in their minds, she said.

This is partly possible because Chandler tells stories in such a way that children can understand and enjoy, Rhonda Moss, assistant children’s librarian, said.

“The children seem to enjoy everything that Cathy and I do at storytime,” she said. “The children rush in and can't wait for storytime to begin.

“When Cathy reads to the children she has a great expressive voice that the children just love.

“You can also see that when Cathy uses body movement and facial expression, this helps the children really understand the story.”

Preschool storytime is held at 10:30 a.m. on Tuesdays and Thursdays and at 2 p.m. on Wednesdays.

Afterschool storytime is held at 3:45 p.m. on Thursdays.

The library is located at the corner of U.S. Highway 98 and Whispering Pines Road. For more, call 621-2818.