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Re: Re: Hi Cindy (Reply to this comment)
by mtbat
oh fine be that way :) you all rock.
I miss you guys!!!!
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Oct 10 '07
2:15 pm PDT
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Re: Re: Cindy (Reply to this comment)
by pestyside,  in Books
What you just said about modeling and watching family and their friends talk about books, share, and get excited about books is some times the biggest contribution to becoming life long readers. Sometimes just having one special book can create a hunger too. I had access to a library as a child, but my parents didn't use it and wouldn't let me have a card until 10 years old. There was only one book (other than a bible) in my house. The book, about Dr. Albert Schweitzer and his medical/missionary work in Africa, was incredibly special. It opened up the world to me and horrible events that were happening to other people. By the time I received my first library card I was starved for books and the hunger has yet to be satiated. Giving a kid a book, but also letting them see how an entire community of readers exists and how this community shares thoughts and comments about books of all types (the modeling thing) should motivate them. But I also believe that allowing these kids the realization that this community wants to encourage them through the gift of special books should also motivate them to be book explorers and readers. I hope you repeat this w/o.
Patsy
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Oct 03 '07
7:01 am PDT
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Re: Cindy (Reply to this comment)
by hadassahchana
Jan, I grew up in a really small town in Oregon. We were classified as 'culturally underserviced' and therefore received more developement dollars from the federal government, which was in part spent on libraries. This was wonderful for me. I lived in the library growing up- because my mom did. She always had at least two books going at once. Getting a new book to keep was a huge big deal to me, but our house had lots of books. Still, much as I enjoyed owning my own books, that didn't make me into a lifelong reader.
Seeing my mom and my aunts swap books, having the newspaper available every day, listening to my parents talk about books with friends - these things made me want to be just like them. And although my parents weren't college grads, they showed me the value of a good education by constantly educating themselves.
People who don't read don't own books. Their children don't see them reading and so they miss that important step of modeling a love of reading on what they see their parents doing. Often even after going to school the children of illiterate parents remain illiterate because they haven't been taught the value of reading and of learning. You can build a library on every street in Mississippi and the people who already read and love to read will be there, and the people who can't read won't go.
Also, you might not have thought of this, but the adults who cannot read feel self-conscious about their illiteracy. So, going to a library would be horribly intimidating and they wouldn't think to look there for help in overcoming this problem. As a matter of fact, many of the literacy programs in Mississippi run by the MCH are located in venues other than libraries just to ensure that no one stays away because of feeling intimidated by the idea of going to a library.
I'm going to publish some of the emails I've gotten from the folks at MCH, because they know so much more about this topic than I do. I think you might really enjoy hearing from them directly.
Warmly,
Cindy
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Oct 02 '07
10:58 am PDT
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Re: Cindy (Reply to this comment)
by dramastef, in Books
Hey Jan... I'm sure there are libraries in Mississippi. Unfortunately, the problem isn't that, but rather that 40% of adults can't read at all, so libraries are rather useless to them.
The beautiful thing about where we're sending the books is that they teach adults and children how to read. The books we're sending are being used as presents for kids who graduate from the reading program.
Thanks again for participating!
~Stef
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Oct 02 '07
7:23 am PDT
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Cindy (Reply to this comment)
by jankp
Aren't there libraries in Mississippi? It seems to me the literacy problem can be addressed by helping kids get to libraries where they don't need to buy books. Librarians can be great sources for kids too.
Jan
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Sep 30 '07
11:25 pm PDT
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Wow! (Reply to this comment)
by frazzledspice
Now that I've finally finished my review, I'm impressed to see that 41 others have already participated! Epinionators are generous people :)
Thanks for setting this up, Cindy.
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Sep 28 '07
3:59 pm PDT
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Cheers (Reply to this comment)
by gliondar
to you and all of the folks who participated in your write off! What a fabulous idea. Teaching a child to love books really is crucial to opening up so many doors to them in their future. It's always great to see someone using the forum Epinions provides to make a positive impact on society. Thanks for giving me a dose of inspiration today.
gliondar
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Sep 27 '07
6:59 am PDT
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Just a thought (Reply to this comment)
by pestyside, in Books
I'm finalizing my stack of books and thought that it might be helpful for the administrators of the program (i.e. Dave Morgan) if they had a copy of our review tucked into the front pages of the book. That way they could more readily determine the fit of the book to the reader. Just a thought.
Patsy
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Sep 24 '07
6:19 am PDT
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Re: illiteracy campaign (Reply to this comment)
by hadassahchana
Wow! That is wonderful, and it's great to hear from you.
I'm working on something else to go along with this write off. Would you mind sending me an email? Send it to
hadassahchana@yahoo.com
Thanks for stopping by!
Warmly,
Cindy
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Sep 23 '07
6:03 am PDT
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illiteracy campaign (Reply to this comment)
by ljyoe
I am a graduate student at Savannah College of Art and Design and in one of my classes I am creating an awareness campaign about illiteracy in Mississippi. As a Mississippian I feel incredibly passionate about this issue, and it is still so surprising to me that even today we have such a severe problem in the south. Doing research for the campaign, the statistics were startling!
I'm so glad to see someone taking an initiative to address these issues. Good luck in the write-off.
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Sep 22 '07
8:12 am PDT
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=P (Reply to this comment)
by ssjakira1
Um, so I don't know why I haven't rated this a long time ago because I've read it already. Anyways, as a grad student writing a novel, I gave the link to my fellow students/writers on our board just in case. I'm going to see if I can scrape together some money *suddenly has an idea* and buy a book or two (omg I'd love to buy 3 even) tomorrow when I go to work at Barnes & Noble.
NT
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Sep 20 '07
8:19 pm PDT
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Re: Hi Cindy (Reply to this comment)
by hadassahchana
Thanks, Fridai! Here is a partial list of people who rock more than I do:
dramastef
carstairs38
elvisdo
nfp
penguinlady
kamel622
roheblius
pestyside
I'm sure I've left out some, and I apologize. But these folks have generously donated books to the Mississippi Humanities Council's literacy program and have made the director very happy- and have ensured that children will be getting a book of their own.
So sorry, Fridai, but Epinions folks rock most!
:)
Cindy
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Sep 16 '07
9:15 am PDT
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Hi Cindy (Reply to this comment)
by mtbat
You rock :) Great entry :)
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Sep 15 '07
10:13 am PDT
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Re: Fantastic idea! (Reply to this comment)
by hadassahchana
Yay! You are the best for getting involved. I can't wait to see what you buy. Thanks for helping fight illiteracy!
Cindy
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Sep 10 '07
10:43 pm PDT
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Fantastic idea! (Reply to this comment)
by dandj,  in Books
I'm so excited about this! You guys are the best for having put this together. Gotta love you. I can't wait to get started. I think I'll go shopping today!
~*~Danielle~*~
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Sep 10 '07
5:33 am PDT
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Re: Hiya (Reply to this comment)
by hadassahchana
I think I remember that book! I went through an 'Oregon Trail' phase when I was little, beings as I lived there and all.
Thanks for joining us - I can't wait to see your entry!
Cindy
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Sep 04 '07
9:30 am PDT
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Hiya (Reply to this comment)
by smorg
Great idea, Cindy!
The first book that really hooked me, I don't really remember who wrote it, but it was called On To Oregon! and is about the Sager family's traveling on the Oregon Trail from Independence, MO to the Whitman's mission in Willamette Valley. Don't have a copy of it anymore, but will sure look for it now. Thanks a bunch for starting this excellent W/O!
Cheers,
Smorg :o)
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Sep 03 '07
6:30 pm PDT
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Re: Re: Excellent W/O (Reply to this comment)
by pestyside, in Books
Maybe.
Pestyside
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Sep 02 '07
11:01 am PDT
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Re: Excellent W/O (Reply to this comment)
by hadassahchana
Well, I've bought five books so far - I'd better get reviewing or you're going to beat me by a mile.
Ok, you're still going to beat me by a mile, but still. I may be able to sneak up on you on the last lap...
:D
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Sep 02 '07
6:11 am PDT
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Re: I'm In! (Reply to this comment)
by hadassahchana
Yay, I'm so glad you're in! Thanks for helping with this project.
Now- about that last bit? Is there something I missed somewhere? It sounds like you really will be in, so to speak. Congrautlations - I am just so happy for you two!
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Sep 02 '07
6:10 am PDT
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Excellent W/O (Reply to this comment)
by pestyside, in Books
This is such a wonderful W/O. I've just posted my first review. I'm so excited about this that I placed your's and Stef's W/O page links on my short bio. I wish you great success. Now, don't you think we should have a friendly competition? I'll make the challenge. No library books, but books we buy and send. Day one, count one book.
Patsy
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Sep 01 '07
1:39 pm PDT
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I'm In! (Reply to this comment)
by elvisdo
You are Stef are doing a great public service regarding this topic. Now I have to find some kiddie books to purchase and review. It's definitely going to be good practice considering the upcoming situation. ;)
~C
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Sep 01 '07
9:43 am PDT
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Re: The book I remember from childhood was... (Reply to this comment)
by hadassahchana
Oh, give her a break. Some people just need longer to digest a book.
:D
I'm so glad to hear from you. How is The World's Cutest Baby's little sister doing? And how about his mom - is she winning?
Hugs,
Cindy
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Aug 30 '07
7:28 am PDT
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The book I remember from childhood was... (Reply to this comment)
by crankybeer
Harry the Dirty Dog.
Still love it and now read it to my 5 year old. The 4 1/2 month old is ready to eat the book, so she has to wait for a few years before I'll let her near that one!
Nice idea, the write off.
Debby
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Aug 29 '07
7:00 pm PDT
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Rebecca, Nick and Phil... (Reply to this comment)
by hadassahchana
I love you guys! Seriously - I am just thrilled that you are going to help out with this project. The people I've met on Epinions really are some of the kindest and most generous folks anywhere.
Cindy
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Aug 28 '07
7:51 pm PDT
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Re: Awesome (Reply to this comment)
by hadassahchana
Apparently I am adding in that step as well. #4 spotted the Borders bag this afternoon before I could take the new books to my room, and he read a couple and actually sat on my lap to hear a couple of others. Since he's 10, I am counting that moment as one of the wonderful bonuses of participating in this.
Thanks so much for your kind words, GG. Your comment really means a lot to me. Now- go buy books!
:D
Cindy
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Aug 28 '07
7:49 pm PDT
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I intend to do this the next time I go (Reply to this comment)
by telynor, in Books
Shopping at a brick & mortar store; I have some very fond memories of some Newberry books I read as a kid. This is a wonderful thing to do, and thank you both for letting us know about it. -- Telynor
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Aug 28 '07
2:51 pm PDT
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What a wonderful way to give back... (Reply to this comment)
by NFP
...the gift that you have so much of in spades...reading and writing.
Great idea, Cindy. nick
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Aug 28 '07
2:48 pm PDT
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Awesome (Reply to this comment)
by roheblius
This is nothing short of awesome.
I'm going to add my own 2a. step in there and make it, "Read to my kids before sending it off."
When we can use community in this kind of way, nothing can really stop us.
GG
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Aug 28 '07
11:58 am PDT
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Re: Very nice idea! (Reply to this comment)
by hadassahchana
What a wonderful thought - I love this idea! I'm going to edit the review to include that info. Thank you so much!
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Aug 28 '07
5:29 am PDT
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