Reading captures imaginations

Maria Lockwood

Nov. 3, 2009 (McClatchy-Tribune Regional News delivered by Newstex) -- It began with the whisper of a turning page. Paige Olson's eyes were drawn to the bright pictures of trains, toys and animals. As her mother, Kathy, read, the 18-month-old watched solemnly. The story pulled the child in. Soon, Paige was turning the page, making monkey sounds and pointing out the train's steam.

"Hot," she said.

Paige loves books, Olson said, but the family can't afford to buy many. This summer, they signed up for Dolly Parton's Imagination Library program, offered through the Superior/Douglas County United Way. Since then, they've receive a brand new age-appropriate book in the mail every month.

"I like the quality of the books," said Olson, who lives in Superior.

The hardcover titles are colorful, engaging and easy to share, she said.

"The books are adorable," said Kathi Madsen, executive director of the United Way of Superior-Douglas County. Some families can't afford new books, she said. Others may not have the gas money to go to the public library. The Imagination Library provides them books with no strings attached.

There are no income guidelines. Any child age 5 and younger can receive the books. Even if families are willing, they are not allowed to pay to be part of the program.

"It's not so much about need," said Michelle Asp of Superior. "It's about getting kids excited about reading."

She recently signed her 3-year-old son, Kenny, up for the program online. He was excited to get "his" confirmation e-mail, she said. Now, mother and son are keeping an eye on the mail, waiting for the book to arrive. The program provides a little bit of mystery, a sense of ownership and excitement, Asp said. And that's before the book is even opened.

Tracy Henegar enrolled her daughter, 4-year-old Mariska, in the program this spring. As a member of the United Way's Dolly Parton's Imagination Library Committee, she was already excited about the program. It has had a positive impact on the entire family, she said.

"I love the excitement in my child's eyes when she gets the book in the mail and the sheer joy she exudes as she runs the book over to myself, her daddy, or even her big brother or sisters to have it read to her," Henegar said. "Not only is she benefiting, but the older kids are as well as they read to her or listen in as someone else reads aloud."

The window of opportunity to instill a love of reading in children extends into third grade, Madsen said.

"Research has shown time and again that reading at home in the early childhood years is critical to future reading and academic success," Henegar said.

The Imagination Library capitalizes on that time. Parton began putting books in the hands of children in 1996. The program started in the east Tennessee county where she grew up. By 2000, it was available nationwide. Last year, almost 5.5 million books were mailed to participants in the United States, Canada and the United Kingdom, according to the organization's Web site.

A community partner is needed to pay for the books and mailing, promote the program and register children. The United Way chose to support the program with an initial $10,000. In addition, local businesses and service organizations stepped up to pay for brochures.

It costs approximately $35 per child per year to provide the books. Madsen said that 650 children have enrolled in the program since it launched in June, about 40 percent of the nearly 1,600 eligible children in the county. Although the United Way does no advertising, the numbers keep growing. Madsen estimated that the original $10,000 earmarked for the program would run out by the end of February 2010.

"Every child deserves to experience the joy of reading with their family," Henegar said. "People need to know they can make a difference in a child's life with their gift to this program."

When United Way pledge forms were sent out this year, one of the boxes donors can check sends their contribution directly to the Imagination Library. Although the United Way provides funding for myriad programs -- from food shelves and homeless shelters to scouting groups and 4-H -- Madsen said she hoped the Imagination Library would hook new donors who want to promote literacy.

"I'm telling everyone I know about it," Olson said. "I think it's just such a great program."

The family has been reading to Paige since before she was born. The 18-month-old shares a book with her father every night before going to bed. These days, Olson said, her daughter will grab one of her new books and page through them herself.

"She loves it, but I want her to sit on my lap," Olson said. That way, they can share the wonder of reading together.

Newstex ID: KRTB-0049-39433799