RIF Honolulu recently received a generous donation from Ann Whedbee, the mother of one of our volunteers, with instructions to purchase two specific titles. As a student she excelled in school, has always valued education, and is an avid, life-long reader.  She loves the RIF program, and decided at the end of last year she wanted to help.

She chose Charlotte’s Web by E. B. White and Ohana Means Family by Ilima Loomis because she feels it is important for children to be exposed to classic stories with a positive message.  Ann further wants to support local writers, and provide stories that local children can identify with, hence Ilima‘s book.  Ohana Means Family was selected after reading about a dozen books by local authors RIF Honolulu suggested and sent home for Ann‘s perusal.

Her photo above shows that a good book becomes a life-long friend and source of pleasure.  Mrs. Whedbee will be 105 on March 10, 2022.

National Book Lovers Day is August 9 to encourage bibliophiles to celebrate reading and literature 📚

Between their busy summer activities, these sisters eagerly stamped and sorted RIF books. We’ll miss their assistance in the Fall, as they’ll soon be leaving the island 🙁

Eric Carle, the beloved children’s author and illustrator whose classic “The Very Hungry Caterpillar” and other works gave millions of kids some of their earliest and most cherished literary memories, has died at age 91.

Must-see video: Mr. Rogers visits Eric Carle in his studio (1998).

https://www.harpercollins.com/blogs/press-releases/harpercollins-mourns-the-loss-of-beloved-children-s-book-author-beverly-cleary

Free informational book explaining the coronavirus to children, illustrated by Gruffalo illustrator Axel Scheffler

With schools and libraries closed, there are still ways for children to access hundreds of books – and the first month of Skybrary  is free! Skybrary is a carefully curated digital library of interactive books and educational videos designed for young readers. Previously offered through LeVar Burton Kids, it has found a new home with RIF.

Each year, National Read Across America Day (now called Dr. Seuss Day) is celebrated on March 2nd, the birthday of Dr. Seuss. The annual event is an initiative on reading created by the National Education Association. 

Great ways to inspire reading in children include:

• Keep books everywhere you spend time. Put them in the car, in every room of the house and tuck them in backpacks and purses. Make them easily accessible. 
• Visit the library often. Knowing how to use the library and learning the benefits of a library fosters a love of reading as well as a genuine respect for the services libraries provide.
• Get caught reading. Children imitate what they see the adults around them do. Whether they see you read a magazine, newspaper or novel, let them know reading is the cool thing to do. 
• Read to your children. No matter their age, reading aloud strengthens their vocabulary and language skills. It also opens up opportunity for discussion. 
• Have your children read to you, too. You never know what you might learn!

Source: nationaldaycalendar.com