Annie Hawe loves teaching music to children and that's exactly what she's doing at the Community Library in Sunbury.

Hawe, who lives in the Sunbury area, began a five-week musical program at the library, 44 Burrer Drive, Sunbury, on Nov. 11. The program will continue on Nov. 18, Dec. 2, Dec. 9 and Dec. 16.

The program is designed to teach young children, ages 1 through 5, rhythm, dynamics, tempo and musical scales, library employee Mary Nice said.

The program encourages creativity, self-expression, confidence and physical development through experimenting with instruments, putting actions to songs, using scarves, streamers, dance and movement, she said.

"Annie Hawe works with small children and believes that music is used as an aid in the development of children," Nice said.

"We're really, really fortunate to get her. She's local and that's why she's doing this. We just love her, she's great with the kids and they just love doing it and you can see the joy in their faces when they do it," she said.

The program costs $45 for one child, and $40 for a second child, Nice said. A child under the age of 1 can attend free if an older sibling is enrolled. Participants will get a CD and booklet to take home.

The program will be prorated for people who join later, Hawe said.

"I started writing children's songs when my kids grew up and then after a number of years, I decided to put out a children's CD. We released that in 2007," Hawe said.

That CD was called "Wake Up, Sleepyhead" and is available on her Web site, www.anniejamband.com. More information about Hawe and her program can be found on the site.

"I love working with children. They're the best, most inspiring people out there," Hawe said.

This is the second time she's worked with the Community Library. She also held a one-time workshop about a year ago, she said.

"I still have lots of available room," she said of her library program. "(New people) are welcome to join.

"It's very fun and educational, focusing on a lot of percussion instruments, finger puppets, (and) lots of songs and movement," she said.

"I just feel there are so many benefits that music offers to people of all ages and I want to offer classes that help develop a child's love of music, something they can carry with them throughout their life," she added.

Hawe said she might continue the program at the library if it becomes popular, she said.