At some point, a lot of kids dream of being president. Whether or not you’ve got an Alex P. Keaton on your hands, the elections have a lot of kids — and adults — asking questions. Here are four books and related tools for helping explain the presidential ritual we experience every four years.
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In related news, if you haven’t yet, check out Scholastic’s Election 2012 site. It’s full of great resources for kids, parents and teachers. For example, wondering how to talk about the Presidential Election with pre-schoolers? There’s a handy download covering all age ranges.
We celebrated our 46th anniversary here at Reading Is Fundamental Nov. 3, 2012. Through the dedication of countless volunteers and staff, we have provided more than 35 million children with their own, free books since our founding in 1966. Here’s one of our stories …
Almost 30 years ago, a young woman walked into a library in Statesboro, Georgia. Sue was looking for help. Her daughter was just 3 and would be heading to school soon. But Sue couldn’t even recite the alphabet.
Sue’s goal wasn’t simply to learn her letters. She watched as children visiting the library chose their own free books from the Reading Is Fundamental. She saw young mothers like herself sit down with their children to read the new books. She saw the joy on the children’s faces as they took their new books home.
Sue wanted that experience with her young daughter.
For the next couple of years, Sue worked with Elaine McDuffie, a librarian and RIF coordinator. Though it was challenging, she persevered. And when her daughter was in kindergarten, Sue came with her to the library as she chose her first RIF book.
Elaine remembers that day.
“It was one of the most memorable moments in my life, watching Sue read that book to her child,” said Elaine.
Sue went on to get a good job where she excelled. She moved her family into a new neighborhood. Reading had opened a world of opportunities to Sue and her child and, eventually, Sue and Elaine lost touch.
Fast forward 25 years. Another young woman with a small child walks into the same library, seeking out Elaine. She explains she’s Sue’s daughter. With tears in her eyes, she points to a young boy next to her grasping a book to his chest.
She tells Elaine, “That’s Sue’s grandson. He loves reading because of you.”
She goes on to tell Elaine about RIF and what it meant to her as a child. She said she remembered coming to the library and getting books, and having her mother read them to her there and later, at home. She still had some of her own RIF books that she’d kept for over 20 years.
She stressed what a major role the library and RIF played in her mother’s life, her life, and finally her son’s life.
And she just wanted to thank Elaine – for planting that first seed.
There’s nothing like Halloween. The fun, the food, the fall. And now that we have kids, it’s even better. Even with the last-minute costume changes. (Our 4-year-old daughter went from a Rapunzel-butterfly-with-a-light-saber costume to a Batman-with-glow-stick-sword costume just last night.)
And books, of course, make it an event that can endure a lot more than one night. One of our favorites: “The Legend of Spookley the Square Pumpkin.”
Spookley was different.
He was odd,
he was rare.
Spookley the pumpkin wasn’t round-
he was…square!
Not only is there a captivating storyline and great cadence, but there’s a big message about embracing differences.
It turns out, the folks at PACER’s National Bullying Prevention Center agree. Check out their toolkit for using Spookley’s story to stop bullying before it starts, specifically targeting pre-K through third grade.
Have your own favorite Halloween-related children’s story? Drop us a note in the comments or on Facebook or Twitter to share!
Join fellow Book People as we unite to get books to kids most in need. Take the Book Person pledge today at www.bookpeopleunite.org/pledge.
Anybody else wait till the last minute to buy Halloween candy — hoping to refrain from devouring a bag well before Oct. 31?
This season, I’ve mustered all my will power and stocked up early. Why? Because I want to be sure I’m loading up on sweet stuff that’s got a purpose — Nestlé candy specially marked with RIF’s logo.
Look for bags with promo code that can earn RIF .$10, up to $250,000 this year alone. Just visit the website to enter your code.
Nestlé has supported Reading Is Fundamental for years. A fan of our partnership? Be sure to check out Share the Joy of Reading on Facebook, where they’re working to raise $100,000 for RIF in October alone. Check out their page for (easy!) ways to help.
And please be sure to join me in the trick-or-treat prep by stocking up on Nestlé candy! Baby Ruth anybody? I may even break open a bag before Halloween …
Did you know Charlotte’s Web turned 60 today?
Just yesterday I finished reading it to my little girl, choking up when Wilbur has to say his final goodbye to Charlotte — unarguably the most memorable gray spider in literature.
Turns out, E.B. White cried too. It wasn’t until the 17th take that he could do it without breaking down.
Listen to NPR’s story for more. And feel free to leave a comment paying tribute to Charlotte and her creator.
Behind every beloved children’s program is a team of creative geniuses. Christopher Cerf, multiple Grammy and Emmy winner and a member of RIF’s board, is one such genius. His work on Sesame Street, where he was a longtime musical contributor, and Between the Lions, which he co-created and co-produced, has brought joy to countless children and their families while at the same time encouraging reading.
This year, his contributions to children’s literature and literacy were recognized at the 2012 Carle Honors. Upon accepting his honor, Cerf told the audience that “TV can help preserve a book, but not replace it.”
We couldn’t agree more – and we’re proud to count ourselves among his fans who so appreciate all he’s done to preserve – and promote – the books we so adore.
Do something to change the equation. For every $10 gift, we can get 4 books to kids in need. Give today.
I’m not going to lie. Ask me if I like math and my answer will be a resounding no.
Pools are closing and school is starting. There’s no better time to focus on the importance of reading at home.
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