Books are more than words on a page. For kids, they can be keys not only to a world of possibilities but they can bring them closer to their own world.

Sara Massey knows this. One of her most memorable moments was reading to two little girls – maybe 6- or 7 years old. Storytime was a luxury for them and they likely didn’t have books at home until RIF entered their lives.

As she began to read to them, one snuggled up close to her and Sara remarked, “Wow, you really like to cuddle, don’t you?” The girls looked back at her and asked, “What’s ‘cuddle?’”

For Sara, that moment represented the importance of reading and books – the power of books in people’s lives.

Inspired by this interaction, Sara created reading events that bringing parents, children, and teachers together—often for the first time.

She told RIF that in each school where these programs were held, the schools continued them every year since because it was so enriching.  

As the President of Communities in Schools in Greater New Orleans, Sara was there in the wake of Hurricane Katrina. She took on the incredible challenge of replacing the books lost to the devastation.

With the help of RIF, Sara provided thousands of high-quality, brand new books to the children she serves. Sara goes to work every day knowing she has a chance to add value in a child’s life.

What an awesome outlook on life, Sara. Congratulations on being chosen as one of RIF’s 2013 Volunteers of the Year.

Linda and two other award recipients — Kay Gooch of Austin and Linda Placzek of Omaha— will receive their awards May 9, 2013, at RIF’s WHERE THE WILD THINGS ARE Gala Celebration. 

Photo Source: Tulane Public Relations 

Thanks to book people uniting in Sterling, Colo., more than 80 children and their parents are on the road to a lifelong love of reading.

“This year, Lions Clubs around the globe are putting an emphasis on literacy projects,” said Carol Graybill, a longtime Reading Is Fundamental (RIF) supporter. “As an active Lions Club member, I saw an opportunity to re-start a RIF program in our area.”

It had been a dozen years since the last RIF program in the region – one that shut down when Carol retired. Carol was eager to get back to putting books in the hands of kids in her area.

Because new RIF programs can only be created with independent fundraising, the involvement of the Sterling Lions Club was critical. The program will begin with supporting the Iliff Head Start, with 83 children between ages 3 and 5.

“We started with a budget of $500 to purchase our first books – and we’re also looking at our own fund-raising projects,” explained Carol. “In January, we ordered from a RIF supplier and were really pleased with how many high-quality books we could get for our money. What a great opportunity RIF gives us to help Head Start kids.”

Five other Lions Club members are working with Carol on the project – including another former RIF coordinator and a reading teacher with a master’s degree. Two other members belong to a local Friends of the Library program and have helped get used books for older siblings of the Head Start children.

“We have a fine committee to build this program in the future,” said Carol, who has already secured an additional $100 from a local insurance company. “We even plan to offer a parents’ class on helping their kids with reading at home, thanks to our committee member who has many years of experience in teaching reading.”

She added, “The families are low-income, and many are single mothers with limited English skills. They also have this in common – they all love their kids and are excited about encouraging them to read.”

RIF is proud to be a partner in Lions Clubs International’s Reading Action Program.  If you’re interested in reading about how Lions are supporting this call to action, visit their blog to learn more!

Progress is at the heart of Linda Placzek’s work. She’s dedicated herself to helping children become more confident in their reading — and what an impact she has had.

Linda was working with a child last year who was having a difficult time reading. She reassured him and gave him a challenge – read every day over the summer. With a little practice, she said, what would be difficult today would be a breeze tomorrow. When he came back in the fall, he read to her like he’d been excelling at reading from the start.

As a retired elementary school principal, Linda knows how important it is to help young kids become strong readers.

So when she retired seven years ago, she really didn’t stop working. Instead, Linda teamed up with the Kiwanis volunteers who had been helping get RIF books to children in her school since the early ‘90s.

Linda saw the Kiwanis in her school and the joy they’d bring to our children. And, most importantly, the difference it would make to the students’ passion for reading. Linda decided that she wanted to be a part of that on the volunteer side.

Since she’s been leading her local Kiwanis, Linda has accomplished a great many things, most notable are the more than 6,000 books that have been distributed to Omaha’s Conestoga Magnet School since her retirement.

But Linda hasn’t stopped there. She’s recruited 15 Kiwanians to read with students at Conestoga Elementary every week.

Linda’s work has been a game-changer for so many children in the Omaha area, but she insists that the Kiwanis members involved in her projects get just as much out of it as the kids do. The work “fills their bucket,” she explains.

On behalf of all the kids whose lives have been changed through her work, thank you, Linda! And congratulations on being chosen as one of RIF’s 2013 Volunteers of the Year.

Linda and two other award recipients — Sara Massey of New Orleans and Kay Gooch of Austin — will receive their awards May 9, 2013, at RIF’s WHERE THE WILD THINGS ARE Gala Celebration. 

Photo Source: Alex Ragon 

Today’s blog post comes from Frances Peacock, a guest blogger in Indianapolis, Indiana, who shares her first book memory.

There was a book I had as a child called The Tin Fiddle.  It was a soft, smooth paperback with a long, rectangular shape. I think the cover was green, but it’s hard to say after 40 years. The book made my mother and me laugh out loud – memories I still cherish.

Fast forward to today. As a teacher and a RIF volunteer, I’m always on the lookout for special books. So I ordered a copy of The Tin Fiddle from a used-book seller in New Jersey. A couple of days later, a manila envelope arrived in my mailbox.

I waited to open it in front of my first-grade class. The children looked at the book. I was wrong, the cover was yellow, but it was just as soft. This copy has been treasured too.

As my students looked on, I read.

“I’m going to begin,” Cicero announced proudly, and he drew the bow across the strings… It did not sound like a real fiddle, however. Strange rattling sounds came from inside it as the tin bow scraped and squealed across the wire strings.

The class was polite. I heard no chuckles. I saw only concern on their faces for Cicero.

As I continued, Cicero continued playing poorly and, one by one, his family members found other places to be. Soon, the children were in on the joke and began to giggle.

When Cicero started playing for animals, they, too, flee the scene. More giggles from my students. The dog blamed fleas for his sudden exit. The children started laughing out loud.

Feeling dejected, Cicero walked glumly along and stumbled across a family of mice looking for a new home. He decided the fiddle would make an awfully nice house. My students applauded for the sweet ending.

As I closed the book, the children all told me how funny the story was. We talked about the characters: the boy, the family, the dog, and the mice. It occurred to me that this book had other characters, too.  It had a teacher and her students, an author and an illustrator (the legendary Maurice Sendak), and a book seller in New Jersey. But, for me, it started with a mother and a child.

What a refreshing reminder of the power and longevity of children’s books. What’s your first book memory or favorite book you’ve shared? Interested in guest blogging? Email us at  [email protected].