By: Rhonda Kraenzel, Parent Literacy Liaison
From the end of May through the month of August, the wheels on The DPS Book Corral rarely stopped rolling as book donations poured in from our generous community and found their way into the hands of eager readers.
On May 26th, my friends, Cowboy Kuntz and Miss Marisa joined me at the ballpark for Meet the Stix Night to help kids make a baseball bracelet and take home great books.
June started with the Dickinson Area Public Library Summer Kick-Off Carnival. I always appreciate collaborating with our local librarians to encourage good reading habits, especially when school isn’t in session.
The Book Corral visited two different parks each week, as well as the Hagen Building to reach RASP families. We also offered the Trailblazer Challenge to all kids as a reminder and motivator to read twenty minutes every day.
Local children’s author, RubyAnn Stiegelmeier, facilitated a drop-in author’s workshop at some of The Book Corral stops. Each participant left with greater confidence as a writer and with a personalized tote bag.
Gladstone City Park hosted a summer Reading Round Up, a family literacy event featuring story time, hands-on activities, yard games, snacks, and a chance to select books from The Book Corral.
The 5th Annual Kids Fair was the place to be on July 7th. Even with a petting zoo, bouncy houses, and pony rides, families stopped to choose books and to design a bookmark.
Books were provided at various DPS-sponsored activities, including the English Language Learners Camp, Summer School, and The Roughrider Virtual Academy’s Back to School Event.
To celebrate the start of the new school year, the West Dakota Parent and Family Resource Center and Lovin’ Literacy for Life organized a Back to School Bash at The Pizza Ranch on August 14th. Stacy Kilwein and I presented the book, "Hurry Up! A Book About Slowing Down." Each attendee created a sign with a “Slow-Down” word or phrase to take home. Children ate for free, and adults received a nice discount on lunch. Dickinson’s Pizza Ranch continues to be a valued supporter of family literacy.
Keeping kids off the summer reading slide is important to help prepare them for a successful new school year. The purpose of The Book Corral is to do that by making books easily accessible and reading a fun, easy choice. Happy Reading!