Cool Calgary: Little Free Library bedtime stories

As dusk falls on a quaint residential street in Sunnysidethings get louder, not quieter.

The laughter and squealing ramps up as children race down their front steps to the park.

"Everything happens here," said neighbourhood momShann Ross."Just on this block alone, we have about 25 kids under the age of 12."

Calgary Eyeopener4:48Bedtime stories in the park

The CBC's Danielle Nerman takes us to Sunnyside where the Little Free Library is the gathering place for neighbourhood kids.

Ross says the park doubles as a giant backyard for all the inner-city families who live on 4A StreetN.W.

The greenspace is also an orchard, lined with berry bushes and fruit trees.

"And that's was another exciting part about putting the Little Free Library here, is it's under that big huge tree. We thought, come an apple ... grab a book ... sit down and have a little chill time," said the mother of three.

Ross spearheaded the creation of the little library in memory of her sister-in-lawwho died in 2014 of breast cancer.

Before she passed away, Laura Hamilton wrote three children's books with the help of a stuffed lion named Roary.

The library is always stocked with Roary's stories, which kids on the street often take home to read before bed.

• Cool Calgary
• Little Free Library

After seeing so many of them visiting thelibrary nightly and swap their stories, Ross decidedto organizea weekly bedtime story reading in the park.

"All the parents have taken turns signing up to be the story reader."

Ross says anyone is welcome to drop intothe bedtime storiesin the park. Readings happens Tuesday nights at 6:45 p.m. at the corner of 4A Streetand Ninth Ave. N.W.