Posts filed under 'muse flash'
Say what? It is International Read Comics in Public Day!
So the challenge to those brave enough to participate is to plop oneself in a public space and read comics with the hope people notice and start a conversation. I know there are plenty of people who pass in and out and through the lobby of my condo complex so I went and sat there with a stack of comic books (you can call them graphic novels but as one article notes “that somewhat defeats the purpose…”) I was reading one by one. And it did not take long:
Are you really reading “funny books”? Yes, I am; want to join me? (To those much younger than me, that is a term used way back when my dad sold comic books in his drugstore, circa the 50’s.) No one sat down and read with me this year.
Does RIF believe in comic books? You let kids read them?
Yes and yes. Of course RIF books are selected by local selection committees and the rules governing our federal grant call for an ISBN but comic books/graphic novels/etc. are ordered by RIF programs for distribution.
Do you really read those because you like them? Yes.
But if you were a teacher you wouldn’t really let someone do a book report on one of those books would you? Sure. I was once a teacher, and I did allow such. (I didn’t add that for some parents that did not go over well….but I had a building principal who knew I had some boys reading and actually doing book reports for the first time in their lives in their sixth grade year!)
Thank you to those who started this day, I had a blast!
Happy Reading, whatever you choose to read.
Carol
Twitter: @RascoFromRIF
August 28th, 2010
Yes, we did it AGAIN! So, what is IT? The Senate Subcommittee on Appropriations for Labor, Health and Human Services, Education and Related Agencies yesterday reinstated Reading Is Fundamental for the requested $24.8 million into the FY11 budget the Subcommittee will recommend to the full Senate Appropriations Committee later this week. We thank Senator Harkin and all the members of the Subcommittee for the trust they have placed in RIF; we will continue to work hard to maintain the high quality of books and literacy services provided by this funding to the children most at risk of failure to read.
RIF says THANK YOU to each of you who have assisted in sending emails, making phone calls, holding individual meetings with Senators and/or their staff, and all the other ways you have showed support for books being placed in the hands of the children who need them the most to build a solid education foundation.
As noted in our remarks after the House Subcommittee reinstated RIF, we know there is still considerable work to be done on the FY11 budget; however, we take this moment to savor yesterday’s action in the Senate and to shower our appreciation on all who have stood with us!
It’s a happy reading day for sure!
Carol
July 28th, 2010
And you thought the reported earthquake was truly an earthquake in DC this morning? No, no, no…it was the RIF team doing a happy dance! We write to share with you that an initial step - among many steps yet to be taken - has successfully been negotiated in this year’s REINSTATE RIF’S FUNDING campaign. Last evening the House Appropriations Subcommittee on Labor, Health and Education approved our requested $24.8 million in the FY11 appropriations bill. While this must still go to the full Committee in the coming days and then through additional twists and turns, this is a great victory for the children and families served by RIF! From outside the budget to a subcommittee putting RIF back INTO the budget – well, we’re giddy and the earth moved!
Thank you to each and every person who sent an email, made a phone call, wrote a letter, paid a visit to a member of Congress….your many efforts made the difference. RIF had a long list of signatures of support from members that showed in the overall list from the subcommittee. We will be calling on all of you again in the weeks and months to come as this process continues; but wow, does this feel great. Please know that we are showering bouquets of thanks your way today!
Finally, a BIG thank you to Chairman Obey and the members of the Subcommittee who demonstrated their confidence in RIF. We will continue to work hard to hold that trust.
Happy Reading! Celebrate!
Carol
July 16th, 2010
All best wishes on her three month birthday to Jen Robinson’s baby bookworm!
July 5th, 2010
This just in from AL Direct: If you are traveling to Singapore with children during June, you might want to visit Underwater World which is now offering Saturday aquatic reading times which feature a librarian “scuba diver.” There is a special deep sea communication system by which the librarian reads theme-related books while in the tank with the fish! The National Library Board is sponsoring the series; you can read the full story at Channel NewsAsia.
Sea World and other special parks in America, are you listening?
June 10th, 2010
2010 KIDS COUNT Special Report NOW AVAILABLE
Reading Is Fundamental is pleased to join the Annie E. Casey Foundation as a 2010 KIDS COUNT Special Report Outreach Partner. The special report, “Why Reading by the End of Third Grade Matters,” makes the case that reading proficiently by grade three is a fundamental benchmark in developmental success and overall childhood well-being.
The report will be discussed today in an event in Washington, DC at The National Press Club from 1-3 p.m. Review details here on signing up for the webcast of this event as well as other aspects of the report and its release.
Please visit the online Data Center , where you can download the report and create maps, graphs, and charts of education data at national and local levels.
May 18th, 2010
(l to r) Guido Stoye (Leipzig), Rasco, Backus, Roswitha Kopp (Frankfurt), Ulrike Wiesner (State Dept.)
The RIF office is currently a maze of containers large and small full of things to be moved to the new office, bins full of old, old files to be shredded, trash barrels, furniture marked to go or to stay….so what a delightful respite to this swirl of activity and dust for Cammie Backus of RIF and myself to be able to visit this morning with librarians from Germany visiting America through the U. S. Department of State International Visitor Leadership Program. As so often happens we did not have near enough time together and in particular, we at RIF selfishly did not get to learn as much about their programs as we would have liked. Our visitors were eager to hear about literacy and libraries and RIF’s role here in the USA. We quickly realized many commonalities….motivating parents to read to their young children, how to assure more literacy training among children in child care at the earliest ages, what to do about boys and reading given the “gap” problem, how to have more affordable books for more children with books that indeed reflect the many cultures present in communities, creating excitement about reading for children struggling to learn to read.
Thank you Roswitha, Guido, and Ulrike for sharing your morning with us!
Happy Reading!
Carol
Twitter: @RascofromRIF
April 16th, 2010
Friday, April 9 was a big media day for RIF! Check out The New York Times and Brian Williams on NBC NIGHTLY NEWS.
RIF is deeply appreciative of the support from these news sources in telling the RIF story as we move forward with our federal grant reinstatement campaign.
Happy Reading!
Carol
Twitter: @RascofromRIF
April 9th, 2010
So what is “Yellow Car Season”? Why, it is when the pollen descends and cars turn yellow! And is it ever here in the DC area…The Weather Channel notes that Thursday, April 8 will be a VERY HIGH pollen count for oak trees. Sniffle, sniffle, excuse me while I go for the box of tissues!
Allergies are no fun for kids, I know, because they were not something I was pleased to note about myself growing up….nor now…pure misery. I did find this book among others in a recent search for picture books about allergies: Zooallergy : A Fun Story About Allergy and Asthma by Terry Ravanelli. Do you know of other good titles for children in this topic area?
April 8th, 2010
How often have you been heard to say “If only we could get parents as well as others who are in regular contact with young children to read to the children!” Well, there is a way to bring our collective voices together for action, and you simply need to go vote once and then have your friends vote as well…by 5 p.m. EST Friday, March 12!
Everybody Wins! is inviting all of us as individuals and as organizations committed to the wellbeing of children to join together. The top ten ideas in this competition will be presented to the Obama Administration….this is our chance, what else can I say?
GO NOW: VOTE
And send your friends to vote as well.
There, simple.
Thank you on behalf the children!
Carol
Twitter: @RascofromRIF
March 10th, 2010
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