WESTMINSTER WEST — Duncan McDougall, the founder of the Children's Literacy Foundation, stood up in front of a room packed full of kindergartners and first-graders in Westminster West on Thursday morning.
He walked back and forth making big-arm gestures, facial expressions and movements, and reading in sometimes silly voices. As he read, the kids sometimes read with him. "I love my wet feet," they chanted in unison.
McDougall visited Westminster West Elementary School, the Westminster West Public Library and Westminster Center School as a part of the Rural Libraries Grant from CLiF, a nonprofit that supports literacy and a "love of reading" among low-income, at-risk and rural children, up to 12 years old, in New Hampshire and Vermont. Westminster received $2,000 in new books for the the library and $500 for Westminster West school. The grant is rewarded to towns with a population less than 5,000.
"They wrote a great application about all the things they were going to do to get kids excited about reading and writing," McDougall said. "We always try to go to the community and the towns where the kids are having the greatest challenges."
Children at Westminster West do score below average on standardized test in terms of reading, McDougall said. CLiF has been to Westminster a handful of times. McDougal said they keep coming back because of the town's enthusiasm to hold events that encourage reading among youth.
Every young child in town gets two books to start their summer reading.
Kindergartner Steven Patrick chose "The Little Engine That Could" by Watty Piper and "The Very Lonely Firefly" by Eric Carl. He wasn't familiar with either book before choosing them, but he liked the artwork.
"I wanted to see the pictures," he said.
Kindergartner Adeison Halloc chose a chapter book, "My Father's Dragon" by Ruth Stiles Gannett, as one of her books. She said sometimes her parents read her chapter books. She also chose "Jamberry" by Bruce Degen.
After picking out their books the children sat down and opened them up. They compared books with their friends and some even appeared to be reading them.
McDougal said research shows children enjoy reading more when they are allowed to pick their own books, and having authors read to children is an effective way to encourage them to read. CLiF has "Professional Presenters" such as "Bridge to Terabithia" author Katherine Paterson or nature author and illustrator Jim Arnosky who visit schools. Arnosky gave presentations at the Westminster West School this past November.
For almost 20 years CLiF has funded $4.5 million of book donations and reached over 190,000 children in over 400 towns, according to its website.
CLiF is completely funded by community members McDougall said. Tom and Janet Leopold are two donors McDougall credits with being responsible for Westminster's grant.
Harmony Birch can be reached at 802-254-2311 ext. 153. Or you can follow her @birchharmony.
