The path to literacy begins in infancy. Actually reading to a child before birth starts the learning process. Research has shown that newborns are equipped to acquire language ­ the early years are the foundation upon which later learning is built.

Fewer and fewer people read for the love of reading. Reading to our children celebrates the early phases of literacy. It is essential to provide parents and teachers with tools to support children's emerging language, literacy, and knowledge of diversity.

Kiwanis is committed to reading as a means to improving the future for our children though the Read Around the World project. We are shaped and influenced by the books we read. Therefore, a reading project should not just occur in February, nor should it be one-dimensional. Creating a year-round multicultural reading project for your division and/or club will help children and their families to understand cultural differences, similarities, values, and beliefs.

I have provided a listing of a number of multicultural books, most designated age specific, to the Lt Governors or their spouses. Using some of the Read Around the World activities, i.e., sponsor a read-in, provide books by establishing an official Reading is Fundamental (RIF) program, establish reading incentives or organize a book drive, please create a Reading for Diversity book project.

If you already have a reading project and wish to include some of the diversity books, or if you want to start a reading for Diversity reading project, please provide the information to the Lt. Governor and/or spouse or to me directly. Please describe the details of your project and the number of books related to diversity used in the project.

Below are websites used for the "Reading for Diversity" initiative:

http://www.nea.org/readacross/resources/index.html

http://www.education.wisc.edu/ccbc/books

http://www.education.wisc.edu/ccbc/books/multicultural.asp

http://www.education.wisc.edu/ccbc/books/detailListBooks.asp?idBookLists=42

http://www.education.wisc.edu/ccbc/books/detailBook.asp?idBooks=2331&BOW=true

http://www.education.wisc.edu/ccbc/books/bowarchive.asp

http://www.ala.org/ala/alsa

http://www.fpg.unc.edu

Have fun as we better prepare our children for the world of the 21st century!! If you have questions, please do not hesitate to contact me:

Betty H. Olinger
www.bhodyo2@aol.com
or
(859) 986-8716 (home)
(859)227-7409 (cell)

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