SNOHOMISH — Shannon Horrocks knows how to pump up a crowd. After all, she used to play in a punk rock band.

She’s a librarian these days, but her fans still see her as a rock star.

They’re 3-, 4- and 5-year-olds who attend Snohomish Library’s free Play to Learn Storytimes for Families program, which runs through early August. It’s one of several library programs that introduce kids to early literacy skills, such as reading, writing and vocabulary. Two days a week, Horrocks sings, plays the ukulele and tells stories. She’s one of several librarians who lead these sessions.

At a recent Storytime, kids jumped, danced, clapped and sang along as Horrocks strummed playful tunes. The din died down when Horrocks’ voice softened to narrate picture books. Then, things ramped back up as Horrocks, 34, broke out a felt board and led a lesson on colors.

“Play is a huge part of learning in child development,” Horrocks said. “Ultimately, we just want to foster a love of reading and learning beyond story time. We want them to come check out books, keep reading at home and share those same songs that we do in story time.”

Though Horrocks doesn’t see herself as an entertainer, there’s no denying the kids see her as a rock star.

“I love learning at the library and listening to Ms. Shannon,” said Isaac Gray, 4, of Snohomish.

Horrocks, who has worked at the Snohomish library since 2015, loves teaching small children reading skills through play.

“Storytime is one of the highlights of my week,” she said. “Getting to see the children grow and develop is just really special. I feel so privileged to be witness to it, and also seeing them light up when they fully grasp a concept. That’s such a wonderful experience to see those things grow within them.”

Horrocks grew up playing guitar in a musical family in Logan, Utah. She mastered the ukulele specifically for the sessions.

“It’s a very playful instrument,” she said. “Ukulele is such a good first instrument, so I’m kind of introducing that as well, and I have lots of conversations with the kids, and they love to come up and strum the strings.

“We have a lot of instruments; we bring out bells, shakers and rhythm sticks.”

Horrocks plays songs by Eric Litwin, a children’s musician and picture book author. She also writes her own songs.

Horrocks discovered Western Washington when she toured the area with her brother’s punk rock band, Woodley Bog. She played the bass.

She fell in love with Washington and promised herself she’d return. After working as a librarian in three states — Utah, Ohio and South Carolina — she finally did.

Horrocks said she and her husband, Brian Horrocks, are here to stay.

“We bought a house here and we want to plant our feet here,” Horrocks said. “It’s such a good feeling after moving around a lot.”

Which means her Snohomish fanbase will continue to grow. Among her fans is Melanie Harris, 33, of Snohomish, whose daughter Paisley, 4, has been attending for a couple of years.

“She has a very gentle demeanor with the kids,” Harris said of Horrocks. “She’s got that soft, engaging voice when she’s reading the stories and invites the kids to participate.”

Harris has another daughter, Evelyn, 10 months. Is she a future fan of Horrocks?

“We’ll keep coming back,” Harris said.

Sure sounds like it.

Evan Thompson: 425-339-3427, ethompson@heraldnet.com. Twitter: @ByEvanThompson.

About the program

Sno-Isle Libraries’ early literacy programs focus on five reading readiness skills: talking, singing, reading, writing and playing.

“Many of them can’t write yet, but they can practice holding a crayon, or whatever, and that can help them prepare for the act of writing,” librarian Shannon Horrocks said. “We always do some sort of art or craft. We bring out Play-Doh, glue sticks and feathers and glitter and all that great stuff.”

Sno-Isle Libraries based the programs on American Library Association research, which points out on its website that parents need to read more to their children.

Most of Sno-Isle Libraries’ 23 branches offer early literacy programs for babies, toddlers and preschoolers. Horrocks leads family Storytime sessions throughout the year.

If you go

The free Play to Learn Storytimes for Families is held 10 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. Tuesdays and Thursdays through Aug. 8 at Snohomish Library, 311 Maple Ave., Snohomish. Registration is not required. Call 360-568-2898 or go to www.sno-isle.org/locations/snohomish for more information.