It’s not always easy for a naturally quiet middle child to speak up. Maher Elsaka got the encouragement he needed from Capital Area Intermediate Unit speech pathologist Heidi Haas. He worked with her in one-on-one speech therapy, and through The Library’s groundbreaking Speech Links to Literacy program. 

“He really loved interacting with Miss Heidi and seeing her happy and proud of him,” said Maher’s mom, Fatima Elsaka. “It really made a lot of difference for his character building.”  

The Elsaka family is a busy crew. The kids are ages 8, 6, and almost 3. Their dad is a doctor who recently completed his residency at Penn State Health Hershey Medical Center. Through it all, reading and libraries are sources of fun, socialization, and learning, said Fatima. 

What are the kids reading?

My daughter is really into Babysitter’s Club books. She’s finishing a book a day, which is really nice. She will push herself to the max. She’s like me. If I have to read, I will read. I don’t care how. Maher is really into Pete the Cat, because it’s simple language and very relatable. Whenever he sees any of the characters from the series, he loves to read about them to see what the book has to offer that the movies don’t. The series on Prime isn’t as engaging as the books. I’m hoping by the end of this year he’ll be able to read some of the words.  

What are you reading?

I am choosing certain topics people recommended to me, especially on siblings and how to treat them, like the Adele Faber and Elaine Mazlish book, Siblings Without Rivalry. Plus, I read books on learning about the tax system and how to start a business. I graduated with a bachelor’s degree in business management, and my husband and I are thinking of investing in something that will reward back to the community.  

What do libraries mean to you and your family?

I was part of a Penn State College of Medicine group for spouses of physicians called Partners in Medicine. It’s where families with kids can help each other through the journey and be each other’s friends. We had a lot of fun times in libraries, going to toddler programs as a group and renting rooms to do our own activities when it was cold or rainy outside. My kids love The LIbrary. If I say we’re going to The Library, they enjoy going there to play, because they have toys as well as books. The programs for children are really nice. It’s a fun place to spend quality time together, with no screens and distractions.