Home Community Madison Reading Project’s books reach Northside children

Madison Reading Project’s books reach Northside children

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Madison Reading Project’s books reach Northside children
Last year Madison Reading Project gave books to 13,340 children in Dane County. Photo provided by Madison Reading Project

By Tom Kobinsky
Madison Reading Project

If you could measure happiness by smiles, how many miles would 13,340 smiles reach?

Sounds like a fun subject for a picture book to explore, as last year Madison Reading Project reached 13,340 children in Dane County, including hundreds on Madison’s Northside, with free books and literacy programs.

From Vera Court to Packers Avenue to Northport Drive, Madison Reading Project focuses on populations experiencing a gap in literacy achievement and works in partnerships with educators to provide books which complement school curriculum. 

And 2019 promises many more Northside neighborhood and school visits and tons of books to give away, thanks to a Community Impact Grant that Madison Community Foundation (MCF) recently awarded Madison Reading Project. 

“We’re proud to bring thousands of smiles to some of the most needing children — just by the simple act of giving kids a book or two, and watching as their imagination soars,” said Rowan Childs, Madison Reading Project executive director and founder.

The MCF grant is enabling the Reading Project to secure a “reading bus” and furnish it with books and literacy programing materials. “We’re pleased to support this outstanding organization that joins us in helping make Madison a great place to live and prosper,” said Bob Sorge, MCF president.

Kelly Nieft, librarian at Mendota Elementary, said “our students and teachers appreciate the wonderfully diverse collection Madison Reading Project gave us. We were low on Spanish books and they filled that need. More than 200 kids got a free book and they all beamed with pride and gratitude.”

Books in the home are vital. “Too many kids come from households having few, if any, books,” Childs added. “We let the kids keep the books, write their names in them, and encourage them to build their own personal libraries and share them with their siblings and parents. Studies show children who read more learn more in school. And that’s what it’s all about.”