Authors in Our Schools!

In October 2022, best-selling author David Baldacci and his wife Michelle Baldacci made a generous gift to support RIF of NOVA. With this funding, we launched "Authors in Our Schools" -- a multi-year plan to bring authors and illustrators and their books to several of our RIF of NOVA participating schools. Read more about two authors whose works were recently presented -- to the delight of some very enthusiastic children!

"Ramen for Everyone"

Ramen for Everyone is Patricia Tanumihardja's debut picture book, featuring the story of a boy who tries -- and fails and tries again -- to make the perfect noodle dish. The author of three children's books and four cookbooks (with a fifth on the way), Ms. Tanumihardja read her story to kindergarten through second graders at Fairfax County's Mount Eagle Elementary School on January 17, 2024. And oh did the fun begin!

Not only were the children enchanted by the story of a boy about their own age, they could also relate to eating noodles! After listening intently, they tried their hands at using paper straw "chopsticks." Each child was gifted an autographed book, along with a set of real chopsticks to practice noodle-eating at home! Upon learning everyone would get an autographed book, one child said, "You're the best!" Learn more about the author by clicking on our Celebrating Local Authors page.

Ms. Tanumihardja's son Isaac was the inspiration for Ramen for Everyone. At age 9, he loved noodles. Now at 13, he still does!

Practicing using chopsticks with paper straws was downright confounding! How do you do this anyway? Real chopsticks went home for the real thing!

The author showed the kids they could have success with chopsticks -- with yarn noodles at least! The kids had a ball giving it a try!

"Freewater"

Another local author, Amina Luqman-Dawson, gave a presentation on February 8 at the Dr. Charles Drew Elementary School in Arlington. Her book, Freewater, won two of the top honors in children's literature in 2023 -- the John Newbery Medal and the Coretta Scott King Award. She is the first woman to receive both awards. Click here to learn more.

Set in the Great Dismal Swamp, Freewater is a middle-grade novel about a secret community of formerly enslaved people. NOVA RIF board member and Drew ES liaison Dora Sue Black had read much of the story to the children in the days leading up to the library event, so they knew a lot about the story. And when it was time for Q&A, did they have questions! What was your favorite chapter? How did you come up with the book idea? Where did you get the title?

Amina Luqman-Dawson told Drew students it took over 10 years to write her debut novel, and it required 25 rewrites along the way. One student asked why she kept at it when she didn't even know she wanted to be an author: Her message: "Never give up! You can't wait for someone else to tell you," she said. "Just try!" Each child received an autographed book, gifted via the NOVA RIF Authors in Our Schools program.

A Valentine's Day to Remember!

Dumfries Elementary School (PWC) children got a Valentine's gift they will long remember! Thanks to reading specialist and NOVA RIF liaison Emily Decarolis and Title 1 reading specialist April Rodriguez, the children were able to choose two books of their very own, plus a special bookmark with scents ranging from popcorn to tacos to bubblegum! As class after class perused the selections, the smiles wouldn't stop coming! Upon seeing the book displays, one child simply grinned and said, "Whoooaaaa!" More about this school book distribution and others from this academic year may be enjoyed by clicking here.

When Kids Encourage Other Kids to Read!

Stephanie Ward's first graders at Browne Academy set a goal of sharing 100 books with other children. Not only did they collect almost 150 books for the NOVA RIF Gently Used Book Program, they also were so enthusiastic about sharing their books that they wrote letters to the future book recipients to spread their own love of reading. Several book-love messages are shared below. To find out more about our previously owned book program and how to donate or request books, please click here.

Contribute online by Paypal or credit card at: https://donorbox.org/donate-to-rif-of-nova. Donate links can be found on every page of our website, too. Every $4 = one book for one child!

Send a check:

Reading is Fundamental of Northern Virginia, Inc. 

P.O. Box 7012

Arlington, VA 22207-0012

Thank you for any donation -- no matter how big or small! And thank you again for being part of the RIF of NOVA community!

RIF of NOVA | rifnova@gmail.com | www.rifnova.org

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