Students grow personal libraries with Birthday Books

NEW LONDON—The New London PTO is excited to bring a new Birthday Book program to the schools.

“Every month, students that had a birthday that month will get to choose a book from the inventory that we have on hand,” New London PTO President Becky Kracht said.

The idea all began in March at a PTO hosted Family Fun Night event which ended with several books leftover from a book walk.

“We wanted to do something fun with them and that is how Birthday Books happened,” Kracht said.

“Reading is such a great way to help kids develop their fast growing minds and also a great way to bond with an adult, older sibling, or friends,” she said. “Building a library at home is a great way to help children with that development and we hope this program helps with that.”

PTO Vice President and Clark Elementary Special Education Teacher Brdiget Swailes made crucial connections with students to bring this idea to fruition.

Swailes asked select students to help her push the book cart around to classrooms for the Birthday Book distributions.

“This program is becoming more than just a book, it is helping kids develop social skills and teamwork,” Kracht said.

Students with August and September birthdays have already received their books.

“The August and September kids, in my class, were so excited to pick their books,” Kindergarten teacher Clark Nelson said. “All of the other kids are impatiently waiting for their birthday months, now!”

According to Kracht, the PTO is receiving lots of positive feedback from parents and teachers, and the students are excited about the program.

Comments: AnnaMarie.Ward@southeastiowaunion.com