Day: July 22, 2010

Impact of Summer Reading

| Tasha

Librarians have depended on anecdotal evidence when speaking about the positive impact of summer reading programs.  Now Dominican University with a grant from IMLS has proven that summer reading has a very positive impact for children who participate.  Here are some of the facts from the study about students who participated in the public library summer reading program:

  • Scored higher on reading achievement tests at the beginning of the next school year.
  • Had better reading skills at the end of third grade.
  • Scored higher on the standards test given during third grade.
  • Included more females, Caucasians, and lived at a higher socioeconomic level.
  • Had more books in their homes.

So after applauding and crowing about what we have always known, here’s what we can do to improve:

  • Engage families in public library programs.
  • Invest more money in summer reading programs – especially in communities where families are economically depressed.
  • Market and promote much better.
  • Provide more books and materials.
  • Work with schools to reach out specifically to students who are in need and under performing.
  • Reach out to more boys.
  • Help children in lower-income families build home libraries.

Check out the full report here.  I salute each and every children’s librarian out there who has such an important role in their community.  Well done!

Wonder Horse

| Tasha

 

Wonder Horse: the True Story of the World’s Smartest Horse by Emily Arnold McCully

“Doc” Bill Key was born a slave and always had a knack with animals.  When Emancipation came, he became a veterinarian and a businessman.  After purchasing an Arabian mare from a circus, Doc bred her hoping to have a fast racehorse.  But the foal was born with twisted legs and worse, the mare died after giving birth.  It was a bit before Doc realized how intelligent the foal, Jim, was.  Soon Jim had moved into the house to sleep and had learned to open the paddock lock and also find where Doc kept the apples.  Doc wondered what else Jim could learn to do.  Slowly, Jim learned the alphabet and colors.  Doc and Jim performed for audiences until their act was questioned as a fraud.  An independent panel came in and tested Jim without Doc in the room, proving that Jim indeed was able to read, spell, do arithmetic, and knew his colors.  The two continued to travel together and perform, demonstrating the intelligence of animals and that kindness is the key to learning.

This book is ideal for animal lovers who will root for Doc and Jim from the beginning.  The fact that it is a true story makes it a far more interesting read.  McCully manages to offer a vast amount of information and insight in a picture book format without losing the ease of phrase that is necessary for this age group.  Young readers will delight in how and what Jim learned as well as the relationship between trainer and animal.  The book does not turn away from the racism leveled at Doc.  McCully addresses it with frankness and subtlety, allowing the book to be read and understood at different levels.

McCully’s paintings capture the connection and relationship of Doc and Jim as well as the beauty of the horse.  The author’s note at the end is also of interest.  It offers a photograph of Doc and Jim where readers will be pleased to see how close a resemblance they have to the illustrations in the book.

A celebration of trainer and animal as well as kindness and perseverance, this book will delight young horse fans.  Appropriate for ages 4-7.

Reviewed from copy received from Henry Holt.