2008 Woodie Awards
Reading program seeks children's book donations
Stefanie Taylor
Issue date: 11/26/08 Section: ARTS & LIFE
The NT Success for Life through Reading program is in need of children's books for the Thanksgiving holiday.
The families that receive these books are low-income families who receive subsidies to attend school.
During this time of year, generally the program's book inventory runs low. Because of this, the program is unable to disperse enough books to needy children, said Valeria Gallardo, the literacy coordinator for the program.
"The children become sad when books aren't available because of low inventory," Gallardo said.
George Morrison of the early childhood education faculty, the creator of the NT program, said its purpose is to teach children that success for the future is dependent on learning to read. If children aren't able to read, they won't be successful, he said.
Morrison said that instead of children receiving used books, the children are able to receive their own personalized book of choice.
"The children receive a brand-new book with a label in the inside saying 'Just for you,'" he said.
Program volunteers go to different Denton elementary schools and "adopt a class." The volunteers read to classes of children ages 3 to 5, and each child leaves with his or her own personal book to take home. This allows the children and families to go home and continue to learn the skills that the volunteers have brought to them in the classroom, Gallardo said.
"It always makes the volunteers happy to see that children remember things that they have read to them in the past," Gallardo said.
The program tries to accommodate classroom of six to 23 students per class and gives out at least 1,600 books per semester, he said.
It is also applying for grants to continue the program because without books or grants, it won't be able to replenish its supply.
"The children become excited when they know that they are going to receive a book," Gallardo said.
The program is also accepting donations of coloring books, puzzles and other education materials.
"What better gift could you give to a child to allow them to have their own book?" Morrison said.
The families that receive these books are low-income families who receive subsidies to attend school.
During this time of year, generally the program's book inventory runs low. Because of this, the program is unable to disperse enough books to needy children, said Valeria Gallardo, the literacy coordinator for the program.
"The children become sad when books aren't available because of low inventory," Gallardo said.
George Morrison of the early childhood education faculty, the creator of the NT program, said its purpose is to teach children that success for the future is dependent on learning to read. If children aren't able to read, they won't be successful, he said.
Morrison said that instead of children receiving used books, the children are able to receive their own personalized book of choice.
"The children receive a brand-new book with a label in the inside saying 'Just for you,'" he said.
Program volunteers go to different Denton elementary schools and "adopt a class." The volunteers read to classes of children ages 3 to 5, and each child leaves with his or her own personal book to take home. This allows the children and families to go home and continue to learn the skills that the volunteers have brought to them in the classroom, Gallardo said.
"It always makes the volunteers happy to see that children remember things that they have read to them in the past," Gallardo said.
The program tries to accommodate classroom of six to 23 students per class and gives out at least 1,600 books per semester, he said.
It is also applying for grants to continue the program because without books or grants, it won't be able to replenish its supply.
"The children become excited when they know that they are going to receive a book," Gallardo said.
The program is also accepting donations of coloring books, puzzles and other education materials.
"What better gift could you give to a child to allow them to have their own book?" Morrison said.
Be the first to comment on this story