Annual read-along a success story

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November 20, 2008

By Bethany Bray

After more than a decade of Community Read-Alongs, one particular classroom still sticks out in the mind of Stefani Traina Goldshein.

Goldshein was reading aloud a chapter from Norton Juster's novel "The Phantom Tollbooth" to a class at Sanborn Elementary School several years ago. When she finished her chapter, the entire class "leapt up" to grab classroom copies of the book to find out what happens next, she said. The teacher had to go to the school's library to take out extra copies for the eager students.

Seeing that love of reading is what keeps the League of Women Voters organizing its annual Community Read-Along. Now in its 14th year, the weeklong event pairs an adult reader from the community with every elementary school classroom in town, including private schools.

It remains one of the "most favorite programs the league puts together," said Goldshein, League of Women Voters president.

The volunteer readers range from politicians and business owners to artists, police or fire personnel and educators. This year, community leaders will read to more than 150 classes during the course of this week.

"A lot of the people that have (read) for many years, they have their favorite books and they bring them. Or a librarian picks out a book appropriate for that grade level," said League of Women Voters member Sondra Finegold, who coordinates the read-along with fellow member Denise Boucher. "I don't care how old they are, they love being read to."

Finegold's favorite read-along books include anything by Dr. Seuss, she said, as well as books by Eric Carl (author of "The Very Hungry Caterpillar") and the classics "The Little Engine that Could," "Goodnight Moon," "If You Give a Mouse a Cookie" and "If You Give a Moose a Muffin."

"It doesn't cost any money, and it's not political. It's a wonderful thing to do," said Finegold, who has a background as a reading specialist. "It's sharing their love of reading with kids. People need to read with their children, it's the most important thing they can do for a child. There are so many important children's books, it's amazing."

The event also is a way to have community members visit the schools who normally wouldn't, she said. It benefits Andover's students, but also is a way for volunteers — who may not have children in the school system — to see what happens in the schools day to day.

The idea started with former South Elementary Principal Eileen Woods, who retired last year. Woods first held a read-along in 1994, pairing community readers with South classrooms.

In 1995, the League of Women Voters picked up the idea, and planned a townwide reading event. Madhu Sridhar, then-vice president of the league, started the communitywide effort, said Goldshein. Eventually, the town's private schools joined in, and the event has been a success across Andover ever since.

"It's very low-tech — people sharing their love of reading with children in the classroom. It's very personal," said Goldshein. "The readers love it and the kids love it. It's just a win-win."

The League of Women Voters' Community Read-Along always coincides with American Education Week, said Goldshein.

As they come to a classroom, volunteers introduce themselves to students, explaining what they do professionally, said Goldshein. They also talk about reading, and what it's meant to them in their lives.