For the Love of Books Program
Dee Damkoehler, Educational Consultant
dddamko@ilstu.edu
Metcalf Laboratory School
Illinois State University
Normal, IL 61790-7000
(309) 438-5328
"Literature and butterflies are the two sweetest passions known to man."
--Vladimir Nabokov
THE PROGRAM
The For the Love of Books program started ten years ago at Metcalf Laboratory School upon the suggestion of a parent for a program that could help increase the resources of the library through the use of book donations. With the help of the P.T.O and the support of the school, the program was initiated. During its first year, the program generated a total of 15 book donations. Since that time, interest in the program has grown enormously to about 100 donations per month! To date, it is estimated that the program has generated approximately $8,000 to $10,000 worth of books. Due to its popularity, the program has gained a life of its own. The whole community of Metcalf actively participate in the program and it has become not only a way of encouraging reading and celebrating literature, but also a way of sharing and celebrating transitions and passages in children's personal lives.
PROCEDURE
Book Requests
Books may be purchased and donated to the library collection in honor of any special event. The donors fill out a form and a book notation is permanently placed in the book acknowledging the gift. A selection of books is maintained at the school for parents to view for possible purchase. Books may also be purchased by parents on their own and sent to the school with the child along with a note indicating how they wish the bookplate dedication to read.
Book Acknowledgments
Each month, a regular column entitled For the Love of Books is featured in the Metcalf newsletter gratefully acknowledging the donors and the books they donated. The article begins with a greeting to welcome its readers and to express appreciation for the continued generosity of those who contribute to the program. A summary of each book is given and the special reasons or circumstances behind its dedication. After the acknowledgments, the article ends with an inspirational note and often with a quote to share with its readers.
"Remember only this one thing," said Badger. "The stories people tell have a way of taking care of them. If stories come to you, care for them. And learn to give them away where they are needed. Sometimes a person needs a story more than food to stay alive. That is why we put these stories in each other's memory. This is how people care for themselves."
- from the Crow and the Weasel by Barry Lopez
FORMS OF DEDICATION: BOOK SYMBOLS
Celebrating Birthdays
Donating a book as a way of celebrating a child's birthday is the most common way of participating in the For the Love of Books Program. Here are some special birthday book dedications and excerpts from the Metcalf newsletter.
The Ring and the Window Seat was carefully chosen by Tricia Basolo to honor her birthday. This is a beautiful story about a little girl who learns an important lesson about love and selflessness on her birthday. The children have enjoyed it. (Nov 91)
Jeff Holbrook celebrated his January 18 birthday by donating Where's Waldo? in Hollywood. When Jeff was in first grade, he gave the library its very first Waldo book. "It was such a hit," said Jeff, "I thought I'd get another one for this birthday." I'm sure this will be just as big a hit! (May 94)
Lauren Reeves carefully selected a copy of The Whale's Song. Its oil painted illustrations are elegant as it weaves a lyrical tale of whales and a little girl and a moment of magic. Lauren really liked the beautiful pictures and presented the book in honor of her 8th birthday! (March 92)
Celebrating Holidays
Children dedicate books to celebrate special holidays throughout the year.
The Stein family donated a copy of the beautiful Christmas book Night Tree and said in the dedication "Merry Christmas 1992". In this beautiful story a family goes out every year on Christmas Eve to decorate a tree in the forest with food for the woodland creatures. Several classes who have heard this story are making decorations for "Erik's tree" on the playground. (Jan 93)
Sharing Joys, Hobbies, and other Interests
Children enjoy reading about their hobbies and interests and sharing these with their friends.
Cat lovers are fortunate that Amy Stites also loves cats as the touching book Lottie's Cats is being dedicated "In honor of Amy Stites for Valentine's Day 1992 from her brother David." (March 92)
The beautifully illustrated book Flight tells the story of the flight of Charles Lindburgh. It seems most appropriate that this book be donated "In honor of Rick Anhalt and his love of flying by his children Matthew, Elizabeth, Catherine, and Joseph." (March 92)
First graders in Mrs. Gehrenbeck's room really enjoyed Animals Do the Strangest Things. This special book is donated by Adam Galt. "Just because I love books and the earth!" Adam said. Thanks, Adam! (May 95)
Celebrating Special Teachers
Books are also dedicated to special teachers by their students as well as by other teachers and staff to thank them for their kindness and dedication.
As the Butterfly Garden lies silent beneath the cold winter snow, friends of Sue Stroyan and Mary Lockhart dedicate the beautiful book Demi's Secret Garden in their honor. We are grateful for the hard work of these second grade teachers as they have faithfully guided the development of our exquisite garden. We are warmed by the anticipation of its beauty. (Feb 94)
The wonderful new Jan Brett book, The Christmas Trolls, was chosen as a gift for Terri Hardman. The dedication reads "Presented by the children of Mrs. Hardman's first grade class at Metcalf to honor her Christmas birthday and to tell her we love her!" (Dec 93)
The last day of school the Moss family came bearing many wonderful gifts. Thirteen books in an excellent WWII series were donated in honor of Mrs. Zeter. Math Mysteries was given in the name of Mr. Oberhardt. The delightful Show and Tell was presented to Mrs. Dee. And finally, Dr. Jones was extremely pleased with the quality of the four volumes presented in this honor in the Make it Work! Hands on Science Series. All these new additions will be greatly utilized and enjoyed. (Sept 93)
Celebrating Passages
Passages in children and adults' lives may also be celebrated through books. Graduation, births, and the death of a loved one are some examples of these passages. Since these passages are filled with a lot of deep emotions, those who experience them are able to express their feelings through the books that they dedicate. Here are dedications in the Metcalf newsletter that celebrate the lives of loved ones who passed away. These dedications have become a way to encourage compassion.
"As the fragile beauty of spring begins to touch the Earth, we hold soft in our hearts the memory of those we love. Michelle Johnson chose two beautiful books to donate in memory of her beloved grandmother. She writes, "Dedicated to my grandmother, Edna Flannery, who encouraged her grandchildren to think beyond your thoughts so you can find a way to do what you once thought impossible." These words are from Matthew's Meadow, one of the books Michelle chose. She also selected the exquisitely illustrated Going to Sleep on the Farm. These books are as beautiful as Michelle's memories of her grandmother." (April 93)
"Spring reminds us of yet another beloved friend, Erik Hubbard. To honor and remember him, his grandparents Ben and Selby Hubbard chose four books from the NBA Today series and four from Baseball: The Great American Game series. They dedicate these wonderful books with these words: 'Eric Hubbard would have celebrated his thirteenth birthday April 9, 1993. In loving memory of his twelve happy years he gave us and for his life of courage, we want to dedicate these eight sports books to add to the Metcalf Library. From his grandparents: Mema and Granddaddy Hubbard.' (April 93)
And finally the exquisite illustrated book Under the Moon was donated by the Harrell family "In memory of Grandpa Fred who made our lives richer with his tales and momentos of living with the Indians." I love the stunning paintings in this book along with the wonderful story which transport us back to a time long ago "...when the land was as large and open as the sky. When there were stories in the stars and songs in the sun. When everything on earth had a voice and a heart, and time was measured by the changing of the moon." (Nov 94)
VALUE TO THE STUDENTS
So much of what is taught in school is concerned with facts. Literature is concerned with feelings and the quality of life -- it is about who we are. It can educate the heart as well as the mind. Chukovsky, the Russian poet, said:
"The goal of every storyteller consists of fostering in the child...compassion and humanness, this miraculous ability of man to be disturbed by another being's misfortune, to feel joy about another being's happiness, to experience another's fate as your own."
The book program is a powerful vehicle for students to increase their love for reading, learn about literature, and express special feelings about something or someone. In this way, the presentation of a book becomes a token of remembrance and literature becomes a medium to process feelings.
Books have a way of helping children with passages and transitions in their lives. This program offers a tangible way to share with others strong feelings such as joy or at times, sadness. It works for all ages and people, the young, old, students, or teachers, and there is always a book for any purpose.
The process of searching for a book is very important for the child. It is always important for the parent to find just the right one for their child. The search itself opens both the parent and the child to a myriad of possibilities in the literature.
THE TIES THAT BIND
The For the Love of Books program is both relevant and enriching. Through the generosity of others, books become a way expressing feelings about one's self and others. The program creates ties that bind one child to another, a parent to a child, a student to a teacher, or a teacher to a fellow teacher. It builds a connection that binds people together. Through books, a deeper sense of community is fostered. The program becomes a celebration of books and of people's lives and this is what makes it so powerful!
The benefits of the program for the school are twofold: it increases library resources and celebrates a community of readers. The reason why it is so powerful is because the books in itself, become more than just a possession. It enriches others because it involves a community of people sharing a common interest and love for literature. It also gives an opportunity to honor and celebrate students and teachers through the gift of literature and reinvigorates the love for reading and the love of books. By celebrating the things that matter, we increase their importance for others.
The heart of Metcalf reaches out with love to all our families. Together we are working to be good caretakers of our students' hearts and minds. The rich wealth of literature that surrounds them here is one of the gifts that belongs to every child. To the incredible givers of books this month, we honor you with these words...
Life has loveliness to sell,
All beautiful and splendid things,
Blue waves whitened on a cliff,
Soaring fire that sways and sings,
And children's faces looking up
Holding wonder like a cup.--Sara Teasdale
If you are interested in starting your own book donation program at your school and would like some ideas, please contact Dee Damkoehler.