Wednesday, April 25, 2012

Thank You, World Book Night!

Dear World Book Night,


I wish you could have been with me yesterday when I gave out copies of Ender's Game to the "Crestdale Kids." These are students from the Crestdale community in Matthews, NC who come to Covenant Day School once a week for tutoring.  


I wish you could have seen the excitement of a third grade boy who took his copy and hugged it. At first he thought it was going to be too hard for him (and it might be, since he is a struggling reader) but about 30 minutes later he came back and proudly announced that he had read two pages. 




I wish you could have seen the fourth and fifth graders who realized these books were theirs to take home and read.


I wish you could have seen the kindergartners who were excited about getting their books and saving them until they were older.


I wish you could have seen the first grader who started reading it as soon as she received it.


I wish you could have heard a grandmother announce that she is going to start a book club for the students to come to her house, eat pizza and discuss the book. 


I wish you could have been a part of our celebration of books and reading.


What am I saying? 


Of course, you already were. 




                                                  *******ich will see tens of thousands of people share books with others in their communities across Amerib
World Book Night is a celebration of books and reading in which tens of thousands of people shared books with their communities to spread the love of reading on April 23.


This was the second year that this event was celebrated in the United States. I was one of over 25,000 givers that helped distribute half a million free books. 


April 23 was chosen because it is the UNESCO International Day of the Book, chosen in honor of Shakespeare and Cervantes, who both died on April 23, 1616. (It is also Shakespeare's birthday.) In the Catalan region of Spain, the day is celebrated by giving a book and a flower to a loved one. 
http://www.us.worldbooknight.org/ Book Night is a celebration of reading and books which will see tens of thousands of people share b



7 comments:

Joyce Moyer Hostetter said...

Wish I HAD seen that. I know you're making a huge difference in those kids lives.

Carol Baldwin said...

Thanks, Joyce. I hope so!

Linda A. said...

Wonderful news! What a great project.

Jean said...

Cool. You're so well informed, Carol.

Blessings,
Jean

CL said...

I was lucky enough to get a box of Because of Winn Dixie for a third grade class at a charter school here in Asheville. The teacher was thrilled! And what an amazing book- it makes me happy just thinking of anyone discovering it for the first time.

Carol Baldwin said...

Jean- actually a FB friend told me about this or I wouldn't have known about it either. But it was a great opportunity. Constance--I believe that was another one of the books I picked to give out. Actually, that reading level would have been more appropriate to most of my students.

Janelle said...

This sounds like a wonderful day, Carol. Putting books into the hands of kids is so important!

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