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Ichthyologists, Thieves, Illusions, and More!
Authors and illustrators brought their imaginations and their stories to several RIF NOVA-supported schools in the last month, delighting and inspiring hundreds of children! The visits are highlighted below, with additional photos on our website page, Authors in Our Schools. Each child took home an autographed book of their very own and most could not wait to start reading! That's instant impact!
| | "Illustrators are thieves! We steal from our own lives and then add imagination!" So exclaimed author/illustrator Zara González Hoang at Fairfax County's Bailey's Upper Elementary, describing how her dog, her dad, her child, and even her laundry basket have ended up in her book illustrations. With input from the students, she drew an illustration of the school's mascot, a pencil-holding, apple-eating tiger, to show how she plies her craft. Third graders went home with a copy of Mi Casa is My Home. Each book included a special autograph in the illustrator's own hand. | Preschoolers at the Falls Church McLean Children's Center could see them before the adults could! What were they? Illusions! In her series of novelty and interactive books, author/illustrator Chiêu Anh Urban asks children to look at things differently and see the negative spaces instead of just the positive ones — to find two images in one. Could there be orange slices tucked inside the curves of a pretzel? Or a cherry inside the frosting on a cupcake? FCMLCC kids were able to take home an autographed copy of one of the author's books, Illusions in Art -- Food. | | An ichthyologist (or two or 10) may have been born at Fairfax County’s Bailey's Elementary School (Primary) after listening to author Debra Shumaker. What exactly is that? It's a scientist who studies fish! A reading to second graders of her book Freaky Funky Fish generated a lot of questions and excitement about fishes that sing, sting, play dead, and even coat themselves with snot for protection! Each child took home an autographed copy of this nonfiction work, having learned a lot more about the many kinds of fishes that swim in our seas. | Always believe in yourself! Pre-K through 2nd grade Panthers from PWC's Bel Air ES got the message loudly and clearly from a small bumblebee named Barnabee. During an interactive presentation of her book Barnabee Believes (in Himself), author/illustrator Cazzy Zahursky and her star puppet told the tale of a little bee who learns to overcome his fears and believe in himself -- as she encouraged the kids to use their imaginations to develop characters and books of their own. Each child received a Barnabee book with an autograph and a handwritten message to "Always believe in yourself!" | | Books for Keeps is RIF NOVA's signature program, providing (at least) one book each to 23,000 NOVA area children Two Books for Keeps programs took place in February, with activities to engage readers! Funding for the books for deserving kids in our community comes from YOU! Donate here (Please!) or at the links below! | | Children at PWC's Innovation Elementary School were able to choose two "good books" at a celebration called "Fall in Love with a Good Book." One book was provided by RIF NOVA's Books for Keeps program. A second book was funded by a grant from The Giving Circle of Heritage Hunt, Inc., for which we are very grateful! This is a big help in building home libraries -- a key metric to reading success! | | The winning Winter Olympic teams had nothing on children and parents at Arlington's Even Start Family Literacy program! Participants in this Books for Keeps distribution were able to try their hands at hockey, curling (okay, an air hockey table), and even snowboarding in a room full of Olympic flags, decorations, and a bunch of "athletic" fun. Winter games 2030, maybe? | | |
Third-grader Mia divided up her book collection into categories and gave them all to RIF NOVA. Then she wrote us a letter, including this, "I hope whoever gets my books enjoys them very much." We will make sure of that! Thank you, Mia for your lovely donation!
if you have very gently used or new books for ages birth to 6th grade that you'd like to share with others in our community, our Donated Books program is for you! We sort and organize them and then give them to schools and community organizations who request them.
| | RIF NOVA is proud to be a top-rated 501(c)(3)U.S. nonprofit -- EIN 51-0155758. Every book we are able to give is due to YOU! 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
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Thank you for being part of the RIF NOVA community!
Books change lives!
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