Photographs courtesy of Liz Wheeler and Lori Thomas
The Little Flame art by Steven Riley
Kids Need to Read welcomes opportunities to speak on current concerns relating to childhood literacy and our passionate approach to resolving these issues. Whether it is a presentation for a community service organization or a reading of The Little Flame to school children, we are happy to serve the Phoenix metropolitan community in support of literacy. Here are some recent presentations provided by KNTR Executive Director Denise Gary:
Teen Outreach Pregnancy Services:
KNTR shared how vitally important it is to read to children at Teen Outreach Pregnancy Services in Mesa. The organization “provides teens and young adults in Arizona with the education needed to make informed decisions about pregnancy, labor and delivery, parenting, and sexual health.” The turnout for the event was fantastic, proving these parents value literacy for their children! The program included a read aloud demonstration, as well as free books, Highlights magazines, and reading tips for the parents. Favorite moment: a father asking for a business card so he could come by the office to pick up a reading buddy for his baby. A parent invested in the future of his child—it does not get any better than that!
The Rotary Club of Peoria, AZ:
A warm welcome and lovely dinner greeted KNTR at The Rotary Club of Peoria, AZ. We learned of the work this club is doing to help provide reading resources to a local elementary school, including donating a book in KNTR’s name. The presentation KNTR provided is particularly relevant to clubs conducting literacy programs for children, as it highlights the overall failure to produce high reading proficiency levels among a high percentage of our nation’s children, emphasizes the crucial necessity for immediate intervention, and reinforces the value of each member’s literacy-related efforts on behalf of the 32.4 million American children lacking access to books.
Cocopah Middle School:
We had a wonderful experience reading to the middle school students at Cocopah Middle School in Scottsdale on behalf of Read Across America Day. Teacher Lori Thomas always puts together an excellent RAAD program every year! The students were completely invested in the story of The Little Flame. We did not know what kind of reaction to expect from middle school students toward a picture book, but wow did they ever get it! Then again, this book was always meant to make kids—and adults—think deeply, rise above their challenges, and chase after their dreams. All participating children receive a copy of the book as part of a Little Flame reading. If desired and enough time is allotted, concepts of peace and overcoming anger by focusing on goals can be discussed.
Please let us know if we can assist your organization, school, or library with a public service literacy presentation or reading of The Little Flame within the Phoenix metropolitan community. Write to info@kidsneedtoread.org for information.
