The Basics:

Eli Whiteman -- kid, Keller Library patron, builder of snowmen

Age: 3 (Feb. 8)

Parents: Anna and Greg Whiteman, Dexter

The Questions

1. What is your favorite thing?

A dinasaur! Like the one at the museum (The Science Center in St. Louis). It’s a plain one with striped on it (translation – a King Rex).

2. What is your favorite thing to do?

My favorite thing to do …. (thinking) go to the Science Center. They've got dinasaurs.

3. What do you like to eat?

Red Lobster pinchers (Translation – crab legs).

4. You turned 3 this week. What kind of birthday cake do you want?

A train cake with a railroad track. (Arms spread wide to demonstrate the size of the railroad track birthday cake.)

5. Are there any pets around your house?

Brudie (translation … Bruttle the dog) and Percy (named for the Percy from Thomas the Tank Engine" stories, not Percy Weasley from the Harry Potter books)

6. What’s the best thing about a snow day?

Build a snowman, go sledding and drink hot chocolate. (Lots of hot chocolate.)

7. A third birthday is important. Did you do anything special for your birthday?

Went to the Science Center to see the dinasaur. (The St. Louis Science Center)

8. What do you want to do when you grow up?

Build a cake – a big cake! (Again, arms spread wide to indicate the enormous size of the cake.)

9. Do you have a valentine?

Noooooo. (Even though is busy preparing a valentine for the special women in his life (mom), he is emphatic on this answer.)

10. What is your favorite word?

Loc Nes Monster (said with great enthusiasm and sound effects!)

Editor's Note: Eli and more than 20 other children were on hand Tuesday at Story Hour at the Keller Public Library in Dexter. Story Hour is a weekly treat for youngsters at 10 a.m. each Tuesday. Story Hour is a feature of the Keller Public Library and is free and open to the public.