By DAVID DUPONT
BG Independent News
The 1BookBG program will fall into place this year in autumn.
That’s earlier than usual, but the schools had the chance to partner with the Wood County District Public Library who is bringing author and illustrator Jarrett Lerner to town in October. The theme will be “Climb New Heights with Books.”
Co-chairs Michelle Thomas and Stacey Higgins, from Crim Elementary made the announcement at Wednesday’s Board of Education meeting.
With holdover funds from last year’s fundraising 1BookBG was able to tie its efforts to Lerner’s visit.
Lerner will make a presentation at the library the evening of Oct. 8, and then visit five schools, reaching 1,400 students, the next day.
Lerner creates graphic novels for kids. This year the program will return to providing a book to each student, whether in public, private, or parochial school.
Kindergartners and first graders will get “Geeger the Robot.”
Third graders will get the Halloween friendly “Scare School Diaries.” Fourth and fifth graders will read “Enginerds.”
After the kickoff students will have weekly in-school activities.
They will also participate in the BG Schools Foundation’s new “25 Acts of Service” program.
Lerner’s book “Hunger Heroes” has also inspired a collaboration with the Christian Food Pantry and the Brown Bag Food Project.
Part of the attraction of the program is the cooperation of local businesses, which serve as “mission sites.”
Lerner’s books that encourage kids to write and illustrate their own stories will also be incorporated into the program.
Local shops, Thomas said, love to see kids “bouncing” through their shop to find the activity related . This year there will be grab and go pages for the kids to collect. In the past 1BookBG stops have been at the Community Center, many in downtown, and as far south as Staples. There were 17 stops last year.
Financial support is necessary. While publishers give the program a steep discount on books, they still cost $4-$6 each.
The program is looking to raise a minimum of $1,200.
Donations should be made to the BG Schools Foundation athttps://bgschoolsfoundation.com/ or by check with 1BookBG in the memo line mailed to P.O. Box 784, Bowling Green OH 43402.
Besides the BG Schools and the Wood County District Public Library the project gets help from the Curriculum Resource Library at BGSU, and WBGU.
