Author Archives: atozliteracy

Telling Our Story

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I dread asking for things.
It makes me uncomfortable.
I get nervous and talk even faster than I normally do. (Webmaster Kristina interjection: That’s really fast!)
But it’s that time of year again – prepping for our annual fundraiser – trying to get things ready with the help of some amazing volunteers. And as I visited local merchants today, asking for small raffle prize donations, I found myself telling our story, the A to Z story, over and over again. I talked about how we have increased our local outreach to kids and families in need here in McHenry county. I shared our work with the Garden Quarter Project and our book fair at The Clinic hosted by Immanuel Lutheran Church.  Of course, promoting the love of reading in Zambia is where we started, it feels really good to tell folks how A to Z is making a difference in their own community.
Please consider joining us on Saturday, February 8th, at 7:00 for our annual fundraiser to help us meet our annual goals. It’s going to be a fantastic time!
You can buy tickets on our website. http://www.atozliteracy.org/page32.html
Hope to see you there!

Trivia Night!!!

So… A to Z has worked hard these past years to make our fund raisers FUN. But. We think we can do better. So this year, we are hosting a trivia night! We will have trivia at your tables, with appetizers and snacks, a cash bar, raffles (with AWESOME prizes) all over the room, wine pong and other games… Seriously. Can you imagine a night as fun as this? We have been working CRAZY hard to bring you a night to remember.  So, come on!!! Join us!!!

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Go to atozliteracy.org to purchase tickets. We can’t wait to see you there!

A Book A Day

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By Kalan Gott

Several months ago I was in the waiting room at my doctor’s office.  I was excited for my eight-month pregnancy check-up.  As I sat there, an already experienced mom entered with her daughter and son. Both children were elementary school age.  The mom and daughter sat down next to each other and pulled out books.  The boy, poking his mom, talked non-stop about being bored.  The mom set her book aside and said with seriousness and love, “Oh I am sorry.  That is why your sister and I bring our books with us.  Don’t you wish you had your book? Maybe next time you’ll bring it.”

I couldn’t help but smile! Three months later, I have my own child.  A daughter.  Almost every day I think about what I want to teach her, share with her, and the example I want to be to her. Some of my fondest childhood memories revolve around literature. As a parent, I am now thinking of ways to foster a culture of reading in our house and build fond memories for my daughter.  Here is what I envision so far:

  • Magazines that my husband and I read lay on every flat surface
  • The cornerstone of our bedtime routine is a read aloud each night
  • Every Christmas we buy a new Christmas book to create a collection for her
  • We each have our own book next to our bed
  • There is a library in our room
  • There is a library in her room
  • We will read the Harry Potter series aloud when she is old enough to listen for at least 20 minutes

How do you foster a culture of reading in your house?  How do you grow readers, thinkers, and lovers of books?  I have my list started, but I would love to hear other ideas!

Gift Idea! Top 5 Book Recommendations BY Middle Schoolers FOR Middle Schoolers

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By Pat Kelly

I took an impromptu survey of middle school boys and girls, and the following books were suggested as first-rate gifts for a reader. All of these books are series, making the first book or the entire series an outstanding addition to a teen’s library. Phrases such as, “Intense,” “Keeps you reading,” and “Cliffhanger” were used to describe the reads, and all are suitable for guys OR gals.

Divergent-series-by-Veronica-Roth1. Divergent, Insurgent, and Allegiant   by Veronica Roth

 

 

maze-runner-trilogy2. The Maze Runner, The Scorch Trials, The Death Cure, and The Kill Order   by James Dashner

 

the-hunger-games-trilogy-1920x12003. The Hunger Games, Catching Fire, Mockingjay   by Suzanne Collins

 

The_Shadow_Club4.  The Shadow Club, The Shadow Club Rising        by Neil Shusterman

 

 

 

 

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5.  Unwind, Unstrung, Unwholly, Unsouled       by Neil Shusterman

 

Christmas at Good Shepherd

By Anastasia Gruper

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Betty Trummel and I get to pose with some very important people.

Children walked with their arms wrapped around books to donate as they entered Good Shepherd Hospital to see Santa. Throughout the night, they were engaged in various activities.  While some sat to tell Santa and Mrs. Claus what they wanted for Christmas, others created reindeer heads to carry home their “reindeer food.”  Still others gobbled up cookies and hot chocolate. When the fireman sat to read Twas the Night Before Christmas, the children all gathered excitedly on the carpet.  And when Santa started the caroling, everyone joined in.  This all was possible because the elves had planned and organized it all so well.

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Through the hum of excitement, children stopped to inquire about literacy both locally and globally.  As they signed their names with hearts on book plates or purchased backpacks, they asked about kids in Africa. Some sat to watch and ask questions about the images of the children reading and writing.

My son, Michael, gets to meet with Santa and Mrs. Claus!

My son, Michael, gets to meet with Santa and Mrs. Claus!

 

As we packed up to leave, my five year old son turned to me and said, “It looks like the kids in Africa will be getting a lot of gifts for Christmas.”  I smiled back at him and said, “Yes, thanks to so many who donated.”

Books and Basketball

By Mal Keenan

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I noticed a young boy sitting in front of me while watching my son’s basketball game last night. He was reading. I didn’t see the title of the book and wasn’t sure who he was rooting for. It didn’t really matter.  What I do know is how engaged he was with chapter 15 and how it made me feel seeing him turn the pages as the ball was dribbled up and down the court.  Reading can happen anywhere and anytime.

A Different Kind of Giving

By Mal Keenan

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As we work to create light for others,
we naturally light our own way.

Mary Anne Radmacher

I love this quote. Creating light for others really does brighten up our own lives, and during the holiday season, people are more willing to shed light on adults and children in need. This is true in my own family. We have been deliberate in asking our sons to volunteer and help those less fortunate during the Christmas season. As a family, we brainstormed possible ways to get involved and we will work together to donate our time, energy, and resources. The spirit of giving is easy to instill into children and has long lasting effects while lighting our way.

What would Christmas be without literacy?

By Anastasia Gruper

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What do teachers, nurses, firefighters, and Santa Claus all have in common?  They will be supporting the A to Z Literacy Movement on December 9th at Good Shepherd Hospital in Barrington from 6-8.

After Santa arrives at the hospital aboard a fire truck, a local fire-fighter will read “Twas the Night Before Christmas” reminding all of us of the importance of literacy when celebrating our holidays.  Santa will pose for pictures with children while others make crafts and munch on goodies. Please join the cause to increase literacy by bringing a gently used book to donate, purchasing a book bag, or purchasing a book plate at the backward book fair.  There is no better way to begin the holiday season than by giving. We hope to see you there!

After the Storm

By Mal Keenan

Many of you have heard the news and seen the pictures of houses and buildings destroyed by the violent storms in central Illinois two weeks ago. As residents begin to rebuild their lives, monetary donations, food and clothing are being collected to help the communities move forward. Volunteers are working alongside victims to help gather personal items from the wreckage.

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But what else has been lost in the tornadoes? Books. Last week, the call for new books was sent out to organizations like the Illinois Reading Council. In keeping with our mission of getting books into children’s hands and helping those in need, A to Z Literacy Movement has prepared two boxes of new children’s books to be delivered to the Regional Superintendent of Tazewell County.

Even though the donation is small, we know every little act of kindness helps. Helping one family or one group of students is a good place to start.

Count Your Blessings (and your books!)

r-READING-PILE-OF-BOOKS-large570By Ann Yanchura

If you’re lucky enough to have books all over your house or your classroom, then stop and take a moment to feel grateful. There are so many homes and schools where the choices for reading are slim or even nonexistent, and my heart aches for the children and adults who live in a world bereft of the love of the written word.

Most of us reading this blog have been raised to have our pick of many exciting and beautiful titles to choose from whenever we want to curl up and get lost in a book.

‘Tis the season for settling in for some warm winter reading.

‘Tis the season for browsing the bookstores for the perfect gift for your loved ones.

‘Tis the season to share your books and love of reading with others.

‘Tis the season to be thankful for books, large and small, old and new, heavy and light, funny and sad, true and not-so-true.