I first became involved with childhood literacy two years ago through Rotary, when Ann Rohrbaugh suggested I read with local elementary school kids through “Books and Bagels.” I apparently passed, because KPL next asked me to read to preschoolers at Party in the Park 2008. And, apparently none of the kids evaluated me too harshly, because I was invited back again to Party in the Park 2009.
Though having little experience reading to children, especially preschoolers, I've found my participation to be extremely rewarding. The kids have short attention spans and are easily distracted if a storybook character should happen to wander by while you’re reading your book. But, if you’re fortunate enough to have a “good” book, and if you're prepared to make your delivery a little “over the top,” the kids are, during those few short moments, eager, attentive and utterly captivated. This year I was lucky enough to read a book with “pop ups,” and it was precious to see the kids’ faces momentarily “light up” when the page was turned and the story literally “popped” off the page at them.
This is a unique and special event for preschoolers in our community; for hopefully getting kids excited about books so that we might increase childhood literacy in our community and, in turn, open up a world of opportunities. I hope there will be continued support for this event and, should you be offered the opportunity to participate as a reader, I would encourage you to accept.
Kurt Sherwood
Miller Canfield
Book
Volunteer reader, 2009 Party in the Park
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http://www.flickr.com/photos/kalamazoopubliclibrary/3576158175/in/set-72157618973564660/What a great time I had at the "Party in the Park". I loved playing a chicken and clucking my way through the park to the various groups to read them "Chickens to the Rescue!" I even got the children to cluck with me throughout the story. And could the weather have treated us any better! Can't wait to do this again next year. I do have a banana costume and could possibly read a banana story....I don't know...it was so much fun as the chicken.
Kim Elliott
Kalamazoo Regional Chamber of Commerce
I had a WONDERFUL time reading to the kids at the Party in the Park. The goose was a great prop. I changed my voice to have "Gander" read to the kids and ask them questions about the pictures or the rhymes. They were fascinated by him, some even wanting him to bite their hands. I let them stroke his neck. One little child asked me if he was real. I'd love to read to the kids again at next year's Party.
Mary Lou Fleckenstein
Kalamazoo Public Library Volunteer Reader
Answer: A Party in the Park and a whole lot of fun!
Child Care Resources and child care providers through out Kalamazoo County are honored to have been a part of Party in the Park from the beginning. Started as a small gathering of children and their caregivers in Bronson Park twelve years ago, this year’s Party in the Park is expected to draw more than 1500 children! Gathered in groups around the park, children will be enchanted by storybook characters and community leaders as they read their favorite books to the children. Every child will receive a free book to take home, a drink and snack.
Child care providers in homes and centers, parents and grandparents are invited to bring their preschool children to join us at Party in the Park on Wednesday, May 27 at Bronson Park in downtown Kalamazoo. Please RSVP to 269-553-7886 with the number of children and adults.
Party in the Park, an event in honor of “Stand for Children” day, is sponsored by Kalamazoo Public Library’s Ready to Read program, Bronson Children’s Hospital, Great Start Programs of Kalamazoo and Child Care Resources.
Robin Frisbie-Cummings
Child Care Resources
Book
Party in the Park
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http://www.kpl.gov/ready-to-read/party.aspxTwo months ago I became a volunteer reader with Ready to Read. Each week I spend two hours in a medical office waiting room and delight in the company of children who are eager to hear books read. Older children sometimes like to prove their own proficiency in reading, but easily succumb to that primal urge to listen to a good story, or join in a rhythmic rendering from Mother Goose.
Imagine my surprise when I encountered a child of three, who, I believe, had little or no experience with books. At first I watched her wander the children’s area, aimlessly active, but with no concentration, really quite physical. Finally she approached me and sat down, and I selected a short book to read to her. She seemed not to know which page to look at first or how to follow my lead in pointing to picture clues to the story, and she would not be engaged in trying to predict future action. She fidgeted, then walked away from the story and continued to move around the waiting room, swinging her arms full circle. I asked her mother if the child liked books, and was told that, no, she didn’t, that they didn’t read at home.
I have been haunted by her since, and saddened. I feel sad for a child without books to stimulate her imagination and for a teacher who will someday try to ignite the curiosity for learning which young readers bring. She has missed the joy of shared pleasure in the pages of favorite books, of lovely pictures and delicious words, of giggles and rhymes and satisfaction in simple things. The good news is that Ready to Read works in our community to ensure that all children are exposed to books early in life. As a volunteer reader, I had the opportunity to introduce that child to books. Next time she visits the doctor, a volunteer will be waiting to read another story. Reading together is an act of love. Share the love.
Martha Beverly
Kalamazoo Public Library Volunteer Reader
I'm a retired pediatrician and our office participated in the Ready to Read book distribution. As pediatricians we really enjoyed/enjoy giving books to children and their parents. I think reading to children has many effects. Not only do the children learn from the content but often, especially with the best children's books, their parents also learn from the content. In addition they are usually physically close and sharing a pleasurable experience. The "pleasantness" can influence their enjoyment of reading throughout life. This became apparent to me when I realized that when I thought of reading, I tried to recreate my mother's lap - cozy places with pillows, etc. Best wishes for on-going success with the Ready to Read program.
Donna Lou Ritter, M. D.
Pediatrics, PC
One of my biggest challenges, as a volunteer reader, is a child's initial shyness. Not being afraid of looking silly goes a long way in overcoming another person's shyness. I get most of my inspiration from the books I select from the library.
One of my favorites is Baghead by Jarrett J. Krosoczka, which features a child going through his day with a brown paper bag on his head because... well, I don't want to spoil the surprise ending.
I've taken to keeping a couple of brown grocery bags in my Ready to Read tote just in case a bout of shyness keeps the kids close to the parent urging them to, "Go ahead, listen to a story."
I stand the bag, complete with holes cut out for eyes and a mouth, right next to the book and, yes, if it comes down to it, I'll even put it over my head. Luckily, someone can usually be counted on to wear the bag over his or her head while I read. Then we pass the bag around so the children can share what they would do today with a bag on their head.
When I've earned their attention, I still thrive to keep it once the bag has served its purpose.
Two other books the children enjoy are Max Found Two Sticks by Brian Pinkney and The Big Yawn by Keith Faulkner.
Max finds two sticks and proceeds to tap out rhythms he hears out on the street. I encourage the kids to use their fingers as two sticks and tap along with Max.
In The Big Yawn, we yawn along with all the animals "Opening their mouths' to yawn," as darkness overtakes the jungle. Use caution with this one, though, as it tends to make everyone, including the reader, rather sleepy.
The first step to volunteer reader strategizing starts at the grocery store when asked, "Paper, or Plastic?"
Go paper.
Beth Carter
Kalamazoo Public Library Volunteer Reader