Children's Literacy Round-Up: September 2

Here are some recent children's literacy new stories that you might find of interest:

• The Seanotobia, MS Democrat had an August 22nd article about an imminent visit to the area by SuperReader. SuperReader, a.k.a. Floyd Stokes, is the executive director of the American Literacy Corporation (ALC), and a major literacy advocate. "As SuperReader, Stokes dresses in superhero attire and reads to children. His past programs have included essay contests for area students." In general, he tries to motivate and encourage kids to read, by making reading something cool to do. You can read more at SuperReader.org.
• The Elmira Star-Gazette had an August 28th article about a program that gives books to young Katrina victims. Under the program, donated "books were distributed to about 1,000 children, primarily elementary school students, this spring". So sad, to think of kids losing all of their books...
• According to an article on the University of Kentucky news website, "The McConnell Center for the Study of Youth Literature at the University of Kentucky School of Library and Information Science has been chosen by The Association for Library Service to Children (ALSC) ... to host a lecture that organizers call "a once in a lifetime opportunity" to promote literacy. The 2007 May Hill Arbuthnot Honor Lecture will be held the evening of Sunday, March 4, with a reception immediately following.  Beloved children's illustrator and author Kevin Henkes will deliver the lecture."
• According to a recent Buffalo Business First article, the Buffalo Bills Youth Foundation has given a grant to Project Flight, a Buffalo State College literacy agency, to establish the Readers Are Players program. "The program will allow Project Flight to establish BookNook programs with on-site libraries and a family literacy resource center, as well as tutors for children, parents and teachers at the two at-risk schools... Plans call for Bills players to serve as role models for students. Additionally, special reading groups with coaches, quarterbacks, wide receivers, linebackers, defensive line or kickers clubs will be established, with Buffalo Bills prizes awarded to students for reading and school excellence." I say that if kids look up to athletes, and the athletes tell them that reading is cool and/or important, great things can happen.
• A recent Bellvue Leader (Nebraska) article announced a fundraiser by the Eli's Angels foundation. The foundation was started by Ann Kurtz to honor her son Eli, who had Leigh's disease. The program sends books and toys to children with Leigh's disease and other related disorders, to help them to learn the power of reading, and to give families support and comfort.
• I enjoyed this article from the York County Coast Star (Maine), about Barbara Bush's visit to Wells Elementary School to read The Little Engine that Could on August 24th (as part of the Read for the Record program). Whatever your personal politics are, you have admire Mrs. Bush's passion for literacy and reading. The Barbara Bush Foundation for Family Literacy has awarded more than $17 million to family literacy programs since Mrs. Bush founded it in 1989.