And I believe I can transfer my magic to kids! Books provide enchanting journeys to other worlds and reading is the magic wand we use to tap into that magic.

I have some partners in my quest to spread the magic of reading: United Way of Westchester/Putnam, JCY-Westchester Community Partners and the Yonkers Public Library.  The Library’s summer reading program is a huge success. The Yonker’s Library provides school-suggested summer reading lists, like most libraries do, but then they take it a step further. The Library solicits volunteers, and works with various volunteer groups which make reading a priority, to set up reading buddies for the students.   Twice a week throughout the summer, volunteers from groups like The United Way’s United2Read program, come to read along with children and help them sustain and improve their reading skills. I am lucky enough to be a member of the Woman’s Leadership Counsel of United Way, so I got to help share some of the magic of reading to children from preschool to 7th grades.

I listened and read to children whose ability ranged from struggling to enthusiastically proficient. I hope my attention and reading assistance nurtured their joy for the stories and strengthened their commitment to excel at reading. I hope it was as fun for the kids as it was for me. I know I was impressed by both the volunteers and the children’s dedication to spending the time to read together.

Even though magical reading, like creativity is 1% inspiration and 99% perspiration, sometimes it felt that my passion for reading was magically transferred to the reader.

© Jane F. Collen August 30, 2016  IndexCardCure™ improving one magical step at a time.