Friday, October 18, 2013

We're Growing!

Hello! We recently put some numbers to paper and realized...

The Literacy Alliance was blessed to have 44 volunteers this past year contributing over 2,700 hours and providing programs for almost 6,000 children and teens!

WOW! To think it used to be just me. And we are just getting started. Recently we welcomed new volunteers and new programs!

You may have noticed the increased activity with our twitter and Facebook accounts. Our new volunteer Kayleigh is helping us have fun with social media!

We also have a new volunteer, Christine H., who is looking into grant applications!

We have new volunteers for the hospital and homeless shelter puppet shows, a new group of Book Buster volunteers with a full schedule, we have added a script writing element to the Eugene production program, Marcy continues to provide engaging storytimes for preschoolers, and we will soon be providing a Fairy Tale program for Give Kids the World!

We are building new relationships with UCF and hope to have interns in the near future.

Thank you to all who help support our programs that spread smiles and change lives!

Tuesday, October 15, 2013

Books of the Week

I have always been a big reader, ever since I was little. I used to read three or four books from the school library at a time. And with reading so many books, I have found that there are a lot of great ones, from picture books for kids to chapter books for teens and adults. Whether you are a fast reader, or a slow reader like me, check out these books of the week!

My first book of the week is for younger kids, and one that I am sure many have read or have had read to them: Green Eggs and Ham by Dr. Seuss. I love Dr. Seuss books and have since I was a toddler, having my mom re-read The Cat in the Hat never too many times.  Green Eggs in Ham is my all-time favorite Dr. Seuss book, for no particular reason though. I just love it. It, like many Dr. Seuss books, rhymes, which is catchy and fun to listen to for children. It also has a pretty good meaning, as well. Although I don't think that in the real world you should try eggs or ham that is green (unless purposely dyed), you should try new things, whether it be a food you have not had or a new activity. And if it's on a train or in the rain, it just adds to the experience!

My second book of the week is for teens and adults. It is called The Penelopiad by Margaret Atwood. It is based on The Odyssey, but is not as old and from a different side of the story, Odysseus' wife, Penelope. I read most of The Odyssey for class in high school, and although it was neither my favorite or least favorite school book, I didn't like Penelope's character. I felt like she slept and cried too much, and didn't have an important part in the story. However, The Penelopiad, as the title suggests, is more about Penelope. It also makes her sound much more intelligent and, although not completely making Odysseus a villain, it does take away most of the heroism. It is also a much newer book than The Odyssey, so it is a lot easier to read than a book written so long ago. This is another one of my favorite books. It made me finally think of Penelope as more than just a helpless female secondary character. I am also a big fan of Greek and Roman mythologies, so if you are too, whether you have read The Odyssey or not, I definitely suggest you read this book.

Are there any books that you really enjoyed and think should be a book of the week? Comment on this post!