CCBC-Net Archives
Picture Book Programs
- Contemporary messages sorted: [ by date ] [ by subject ] [ by author ]
From: Ginny Moore Kruse <gmkruse_at_wisc.edu>
Date: Thu, 11 Nov 2010 09:42:42 -0600
Lee, what you wrote reminds me of the fine program initiated more than 15 years ago in Milwaukee by artist Nancy Ekholm Burkert and others. The program "Bread & Books" involved volunteers reading picture books to children who came to a lunch program for low income families. Nancy and the others were trained to read aloud to a small group of children hungry for food and - according to Nancy - also for the beauty in the books being read to them. As I recall, the project was more complex to administer than it might seem when one reads or hears about it. But for its adult volunteers it was deeply satisfying as long as it lasted, and the volunteers shared anecdotal reports confirming the project's success with children.
Aren't we're all saying in one way of another that we want to link picture books with children, wherever the children might be - at home, school, public library, subway, bus, waiting room, line at the market, etc.? At their front door Betty Tisel and her family give books as well as Halloween treats. Norma Jean is correct, in that trained librarians and teachers can do more for more children and families than a random encounter in public will accomplish, but on the other hand... why not do whatever we're in a position to do wherever we are? Why not think outside of the box?
In the meantime, we who are comfortable in libraries & schools and able to take advantage of bookstores can remember that adults do want to read to their own children and grandchildren. I've heard about studies (don't ask me about them :-) ) indicating that this is one of the main reasons some adults engage in literacy programs. They want to learn how to read well enough to read books to their children and grandchildren.
Ginny
Ginny Moore Kruse gmkrus_at_wisc.edu
Received on Thu 11 Nov 2010 09:42:42 AM CST
Date: Thu, 11 Nov 2010 09:42:42 -0600
Lee, what you wrote reminds me of the fine program initiated more than 15 years ago in Milwaukee by artist Nancy Ekholm Burkert and others. The program "Bread & Books" involved volunteers reading picture books to children who came to a lunch program for low income families. Nancy and the others were trained to read aloud to a small group of children hungry for food and - according to Nancy - also for the beauty in the books being read to them. As I recall, the project was more complex to administer than it might seem when one reads or hears about it. But for its adult volunteers it was deeply satisfying as long as it lasted, and the volunteers shared anecdotal reports confirming the project's success with children.
Aren't we're all saying in one way of another that we want to link picture books with children, wherever the children might be - at home, school, public library, subway, bus, waiting room, line at the market, etc.? At their front door Betty Tisel and her family give books as well as Halloween treats. Norma Jean is correct, in that trained librarians and teachers can do more for more children and families than a random encounter in public will accomplish, but on the other hand... why not do whatever we're in a position to do wherever we are? Why not think outside of the box?
In the meantime, we who are comfortable in libraries & schools and able to take advantage of bookstores can remember that adults do want to read to their own children and grandchildren. I've heard about studies (don't ask me about them :-) ) indicating that this is one of the main reasons some adults engage in literacy programs. They want to learn how to read well enough to read books to their children and grandchildren.
Ginny
Ginny Moore Kruse gmkrus_at_wisc.edu
Received on Thu 11 Nov 2010 09:42:42 AM CST
