Authors in Our Schools Program

This program is gearing up to host author visits -- with an autographed book for each participating child -- throughout the spring semester. The excitement children experience when meeting an author and getting their own signed book is simply over the top! See more pics by clicking here.

What a fun day it was at Alexandria's John Adams Elementary on January 12 as kindergartners and 1st graders met author Leah Moser. As the author read her book, I am a Thundercloud, the excited children learned about controlling emotions as strong as a thundercloud! Among the questions: Why does the book have so many feelings? How does it feel to be an author? Is this your first book? As she left the library with her new autographed book in hand, one kindergartner was heard to say, "This was the best thing ever!"

What will you do as a kindergartner or 1st grader at Arlington's Barcroft Elementary when you hear author Ann Marie Stephens read her book Arithmechicks Take Away? You count, of course and flap your little chick "wings." If you are a 2nd grader, you listen to SCATtered! and participate in an estimation game, getting very excited when you guess right! Such reading and math fun! This author visit was partially funded via a grant from the Arlington Community Foundation's 2025 Wish List.

Books for Keeps Program

As RIF NOVA's signature program, Books for Keeps provides one or more new books each year for 23,000 children at 30+ schools and sites throughout Northern Virginia. Many schools held distributions the week before the holiday so children could have books to read during the break. Please find pics of these fun events below. Many more may be found at this link.

The Pre-K through 2nd graders at Fairfax County's Bailey's Elementary went "shopping" in a blizzard -- of books! Librarian and RIF NOVA liaison Laura Culver set up several areas around the library where students could pick just the right book to take home for the winter break. Ms. Culver read holiday stories to the younger children, who listened attentively and were happy to show off the results of their shopping "spree"!

Pre-holiday book "shopping" offered special fun for the students at Kenmore Middle School, too. Co-librarian Melissa Cline set up the library, known this day as the "Cougar Cafe," with cafe tables and checkered tablecloths full of books organized by genre. Not only could the kids pick a favorite from any section, they could also have a book plate calligraphed with their name, thanks to library assistant Jeanette Hall. A new RIF NOVA book to start the holidays...what could be better!

As a train whistle sounded, children at Alexandria's John Adams ES moved from "station" to "station" -- with a new train-related activity at each table. There was a train puzzle, circuit building, and coloring -- along with writing the name of a favorite book on an engine image to become part of a paper train around the library. Thanks to librarian and RIF NOVA liaison Heidi Laplace for getting this RIF NOVA book-picking train trip off to a great start!

With a colorful bulletin board outside the library and stuffed animals waiting for them inside, the children of Arlington's Barcroft ES chose their Books for Keeps books. Clad in their PJs, they perused the tables of book choices and then retreated to the library's reading nook to share their new book with a "stuffie." Such a fun way to head toward the winter break, with a new book in hand. Special thanks to librarian and RIF NOVA liaison Jackie Pippins for setting up a sleepover to be remembered! 

Some notes of thanks...

At ceremonies in October, RIF NOVA's Justina Johnson accepted a grant from The Giving Circle of Heritage Hunt, Inc., the second grant from this generous giving circle. Justina noted the grant will be used to supply a second book each for students in RIF NOVA-supported Prince William County schools. We are grateful for the generosity of this community organization.

Instead of doing a book exchange, employees from the Peterson Companies brought in a book to donate to RIF NOVA, collecting over 50 new and used books for RIF NOVA's Donated Books program. The firm is one of the region's largest privately-owned real estate developers.

Alivia Pace earned her Girl Scout Silver Award through the power of books -- donating from her book drive to a bookstore in Indonesia and to RIF NOVA. Alicia believes sharing the gift of books is the most meaningful way to give back to her community during the holiday season.

Chantilly HIgh School student Kylie Nash collected over 450 books as part of her Bat Mitzvah project. She noted that books transport her to different worlds where she can be anything -- from a princess to adventure seeker on the run from dangerous criminals. "I want other children to be able to have the same experiences when they read their favorite books."

Books for Belong!

Belong! is a local nonprofit that provides mentorship to underserved children and youth in the community in order to foster, among other things, personal growth and academic achievement. The organization requested books from the RIF NOVA Donated Books program, and we were happy to provide this resource to local children and families.

RIF NOVA is proud to be a top-rated 501(c)(3)U.S. nonprofit -- EIN 51-0155758. A few ways to give are listed below! Again, thank you and thank you!

Your funds help with all RIF NOVA programs! Donate electronically by clicking here or on the Donate image above.

Send a check:

Reading is Fundamental of Northern Virginia, Inc. 

P.O. Box 7012

Arlington, VA 22207-0012

If you are a federal worker or retiree, you can give via the Combined Federal Campaign. Our CFC number is: 18818. The deadline to sign up has been extended to January 31, 2026.

Thank you for being part of the RIF NOVA community!

Books change lives!

RIF NOVA | www.rifnova.org | 703-528-3763 | info@rifnova.org

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