Springfield's Gift of Literacy

Contact Jeff DeFranco Community Relations Coordinator, Springfield Public Schools (541) 747-3331 jeff.defranco@sps.lane.edu www.giftofliteracy.org

History

Springfield's Gift of Literacy was inspired by a desire to promote a love of reading among young children. In the fall of 2005, the Rotary Clubs of Springfield approached Springfield Public Schools with an idea to impact every first-grade student with the Gift of Literacy. Inspired by communities in Klamath Falls and throughout Wyoming, the Rotary Clubs wanted to do something special to promote reading among young students.

In support of education in Springfield, the city agencies that comprise TEAM Springfield joined the Twin Rivers and Springfield Rotary Clubs in 2006 to sponsor the inaugural Gift of Literacy. Now in the second year of the program, this project provides every first-grade student in Springfield with their choice of a hardbound book, selected from a collection of nine books they had been reading throughout the year. The presentation of the books includes small-group reading by guest readers to emphasize the importance of reading in our lives.

Book Lists

2007

• Catalina Magdalena Hoopenstien Wallendiner Hogan Logan Bogan Was Her Name
  by Ted Arnold
• Mammoths on the Move
  by Lisa Wheeler, illustrated by Kurt Cyrus
• Henry and the Buccaneer Bunnies
  by Carolyn Crimi, illustrated by John Manders
• Alice the Fairy
  by David Shannon
• Alicia, El Hada
  by David Shannon
• If Not for the Cat
  by Jack Prelutsky, illustrated by Ted Rand
• Miss Smith’s Incredible Storybook
  by Michael Garland
• A House is a House for Me
  by Mary Ann Hoberman, illustrated by Betty Fraser
• Owen and Mzee
  by Isabella Hakoff, Craig Hatkoff and Dr. Paula Kahumbu, photographs by Peter Greste

2006

• One-Dog Canoe
  by Mary Casanova, illustrated by Ard Hoyt
• Three Pebbles and a Song
  by Eileen Spinelli, illustrated by S. D. Schindler
• Pinduli
  by Janell Cannon
• Can You See What I See?
  by Walter Wick
• Kitten's First Full Moon
  by Kevin Henkes
• Wild About Books
  by Judy Sierra, illustrated by Marc Brown