Monfredo: Annual Book Drive Ends May 20, Have You Donated Yet?
Saturday, May 04, 2019
According to the research on literacy, studies clearly indicate that children in homes that have books are more likely to succeed in school, while children who don’t have adequate reading skills are much more likely to drop out of school. One study found that the ability to read well is the single best indicator of future economic success – regardless of family background.
As I have stated before in my GOLOCAL column, research continues to emphasize that a major reason for the rich/poor reading achievement gap stems from the limited access to books in low income communities and in schools serving these communities. What we know is that approximately 80% of the reading achievement gap between children from low and middle income families stems from summer reading loss. It should surprise no one that any proficiency that goes unpracticed for three months deteriorates. Hence, we have the achievement gap or as many call it the “summer slide.”
It is for this very reason that my wife, Anne-Marie, and I, fourteen years ago started “Worcester: the City that Reads” in an attempt to stop summer loss and promote literacy in the community. Our goal is to put books into the hands of children who lack books in their homes and to promote the importance of being a life time reader. In thirteen years we have collected over 650,000 books. Another added feature of these book drives is that it calls attention within the community to the importance of promoting reading in the homes of children. I am happy to say that it has worked for many community members talk about the drive and the importance of giving out books to our children. It is much easier for us to get those books donated now than it was thirteen years ago.
We all need to remember that reading isn’t a luxury… It’s a necessity. Reading ability doesn’t just translate to success in academics. It can also be the crucial factor that determines whether a child will succeed in the job market. As a nation we should be embarrassed about illiteracy and we should all be working to do something about it. We have to make literacy a priority in this community. Giving children the necessary tools to build strong literacy skills also gives them the tools to succeed in life.
We have continued to try and make everyone aware of the importance of literacy by putting books into the hands of children. The more books children read, the faster their vocabulary is expanded. Books help them to learn new words and new ways of using the words that they already know.
One of my wife’s favorite children’s author Tomie dePaola stated,” Reading is important, because if you can read, you can learn anything about everything and everything about anything.” Remember, we as adults must show our children the way into the wonderful world of books. It’s our job to expose them to literacy in the home and in the community.
Thus, far we have received great support from the public on this year’s drive. A special thank you also goes out to the Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company, Salvation Army, Fairlawn Hospital, Hanover Insurance, UMass Medical and the various colleges for their early book donations.
Let me leave you with one last message… There are no learning gaps in children, only opportunity gaps. It is our job to close the opportunity gaps by putting books into the hands of our children. So in the words of Dr. Seuss, “You’re never too old, too wacky, too wild, to pick up a book and read to a child.”
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