The Magical World of Words

Jemelia and her brand new book.

“This place is full of magic,” said nine-year-old Jamelia as she stepped on the bus. The ceiling was painted in Starry Night swirls and the shelves were stocked with books, thousands of books. A smile stretched across her face as she imagined the possibilities.

The 2011 Transitions/VSP Success is in Sight Tour traveled to Harlem to be part of the Harlem Children’s Festival. Bess was joined by Eyenstein, the mobile vision clinic from Transitions and VSP in an effort to prepare kids for success in the classroom. While Bess the Book Bus gave away thousands of new books, the Transitions/VSP team gave our kids the gift of healthy sight by providing free eye exams and new glasses.

Harlem Children’s Festival is part of Harlem Week, a summer long celebration of community achievement. A marching band paraded down 135th street to open the event and then thousands of people followed. Local artists and musicians stretched city streets in between tables of hand-crafted jewelry and home cooked food. Pushcarts of Italian Ice weaved through the crowd in search of children with melting face paint. The scene stretched throughout the long city blocks.

A little something for everyone.

Bess and Eyenstein parked amidst it all, between the WHCR live broadcast and the talent show stage. Despite the wall of sound, lines formed as word spread about the free books. Retired teachers told parents. Teens told their friends. Kids grabbed their cousins and neighbors. From the Bluford series to Handy Manny, there was something on board for everyone. Even adults came aboard to ask if we had any books for them. Sometimes they said it with a laugh, sometimes with a whisper.

A father approached the bus with his three children and enthusiastically helped them pick out books. While they were sifting through the shelves, he stopped Jennifer and asked a question so quietly that it begged repeating.

“Do you have anything that will help me read better?”

This question has been common across the country, but it’s still shocking to hear. It takes courage to start that conversation, especially with a stranger. But the answer is always simple. “Yes. We do. You are already doing it”. Bring as many books as possible into your home. Read to your children. Read every day. Read anything you can get your hands on. Ask your librarian for help looking up family literacy initiatives like the National Center for Family Literacy.

Across the country, there are 93 million Americans who read below a fifth grade level. Adults living poverty are more likely to struggle with reading challenges. Those living in poverty also have less access to books. The answer to illiteracy isn’t magic. It is simple. Get more books into the homes of our families. Build home libraries and lifelong readers. Equal access to quality reading materials and other educational resources is critical to the success of this country. The good news? It is easy to do. Every dollar donated to Bess the Bus provides up to three new books for our families, opening worlds of opportunity.

Bess the Book Bus continues on to keep success in sight for children and families across the country. Follow on Facebook, Twitter and YouTube for more updates through the trip. Until next time, safe travels through the pages.

One Month in Maine pt. 2

Millinocket

After breaking down on the U.S. 1,

The 2011 Transitions/VSP Success is in Sight tour encountered a set back when Bess the Book Bus broke down en route to Millinocket. Getting a tow turned into an ordeal, but the worst part of the day was missing our event. Aid for Kids brought a care package on our behalf filled with brand new books and hand sewn blankets. The books went out on time  with Bangor Savings as part of an exciting day with a bounce house and lunch to lift the spirits of a downtrodden town.

Millinocket has faced a series of hardships over the past three years including the closing of its two paper mills. The most recent closing happened in April, leaving hundreds unemployed. Tax revenue is down and causing cutbacks in the town’s services. The library hours were cut in half. Opal Myrick Elementary School will move from its building and start the school year inside the high school.

Fort Fairfield

With Bess still in the shop, the 2011 Transitions/VSP Success is in Sight tour continued book fair style in Fort Fairfield. We brought boxes of brand new books into the library and spread out on the tables. Children browsed around looking through the titles. We had a great selection including books from Candlewick Press, Capstone Publishing, Penguin and Townsend Press. After everyone found the perfect book, it was story time in the children’s room.

Fort Kent

Oliver Caron looks in awe as Jennifer Frances shares fun facts from "Snakes" by Capstone Publishing.

Fort Kent features the northernmost point of U.S. 1, the 2,300 mile road that travels through 13 states along the Atlantic coast before ending in Key West. But unlike the Southern tip, Fort Kent is not known for year round visitors. The 2011 Transitions/VSP Success is in Sight Tour traveled north at the request of Michelle Raymond, Fort Kent’s head librarian. More than 30 children were also excited that Bess the Book Bus made the drive, including six-year-old Oliver Caron. Snakes are one of his favorite things and found the perfect book on Bess’s shelves.

There are more updates coming from our month in Maine. Stay up to date on all of travels by following Bess the Book Bus on Facebook, Twitter and YouTube. Pictures from the Maine events and the rest of the 2011 Transistions/VSP Success is in Sight tour are also online at Picasa. Until next time, safe travel through the pages.

One Month in Maine pt. 1

After three months on the road, Bess the Book Bus finally found a home away from home. The 2011 Transitions/VSP Success is in Sight tour traveled to Maine for a full month of mobile literacy outreach. We were able to spend so much time in the state because of the hospitality from Degenhardt family and the Aid For Kids Foundation.

Dawn and Ed “Hunk” Degenhardt opened up their homes in Houlton and Jonesport, allowing us to stay while we traveled to the rural parts of Maine. They also opened up their garage, turning it into a temporary a bus depot. Since the trip started in May, the Degenhardts accepted shipments from First Book, Candlewick Press,Capstone Publishers and Townsend Press. More than 9,000 books were waiting when we arrived. The restock was needed. The 2011 Transitions/VSP Success is in Sight tour approached the halfway point, giving away more than 50,000 books across 24 states leaving Bess’s shelves bare.

Houlton

Author Rebecca Emberley helps children with activities from her book, "Adventure Girls".

Our first event was at the Community Fair in Houlton, ME. The event was hosted by Aid for Kids Foundation, an international humanitarian organization founded by Dawn Degenhardt. Bess the Book Bus and author Rebecca Emberley set up inside the Houlton Community Center. More than 200 children attended the event. In addition to the books given away by Bess the Book Bus and author Rebecca Emberley, children enjoyed games, prizes and food provided by Citgo’s Fueling Good.

Houlton Citgo

During our stay in Houlton, Bess the Book Bus became a regular in town. We made frequent stops at the library, McDonalds and Citgo service stations. Families followed us around town, bringing home brand new books to build their home libraries.

Lincoln

Two-year-old Kevin gets comfy on the book bus floor while his dad helps him read "Choo Choo Mickie" donated from First Book.

The town of Lincoln is 70 miles south of Houlton and the second stop in the state. Bess the Book Bus arrived in time for the library’s annual book sale. Tables were lined up in the parking lot with stacks of books for as little as 25 cents.  But Bess the Book Bus had a better a deal. We set up on the library’s front lawn and gave away brand new books to more than 40 children.

There are more updates coming from our month in Maine. Stay up to date on all of travels by following Bess the Book Bus on Facebook, Twitter and YouTube. Pictures from the Maine events and the rest of the 2011 Transistions/VSP Success is in Sight tour are also online at Picasa. Until next time, safe travel through the pages.

The Best of Buffalo

For the past two years, Bess the Book Bus kicked off our nationwide tour at the Transitions Championship in Innisbrook, FL. The seven day golf tournament brought in 2,000 children from Title 1 schools and gave them access to things that are normally out of reach including golf lessons, eye exams and brand new books. Larry Bicz saw Bess giving away brand new books behind the 18th hole and approached us about bringing the bus to his home town of Buffalo, NY.

Larry knew there was need in his community and saw Bess as a way to help. It became a personal mission to make sure that we could come. He helped with everything from hosting to planning. He also brought on Stacy Lund of Entercom Communications to promote our events and increase our impact. Their involvement made it possible for the 2011 Transitions/VSP Success is in Sight tour to travel to Buffalo for three days of outreach. Personal partnerships are a key piece in keeping success in sight for children across the country. We are thankful for similar individuals in New York, Colorado and Maine that make this trip possible.

The Belle Center

An afternoon on the lawn is a great way spend a sunny afternoon. The children in the Big Brothers Big Sisters program joined Bess the Book Bus at The Belle Center for a raucous read aloud on the lawn. As the line formed to pick brand new books, neighbors started to notice. The Belle Center is the resource hub for Western New York and includes programs that help infants through seniors. More people arrived at the event, opening access of books to families who can’t afford them. Extra books were donated to The Belle Center to support the preschool and teen programs.

Children had thousands of books to choose from including some of their favorite titles from Candlewick Press, Capstone, Penguin and Townsend Press.

The Falk School

Summer was in full effect, but some schools were still in session. Bess the Book Bus made special visits to the Stanley G. Falk School and its satellite campus at Public School 53. Stanley G. Falk School provides educational programming for students who have special learning, social, and emotional needs. The Stanley G. Falk School also works with an onsite group home.

“Most of our students come from really limited home settings,” said principal Martha Sanfilippo.  ”They don’t have the opportunities to go to the library. They don’t have the opportunities to have someone sit down and read them a story. So to have someone read a story to them to share books and words, you can just tell that it’s a component in their lives that they are hungry for.”

Barnes and Noble

Our final event in Buffalo was at the local Barnes & Noble. Jennifer was invited to share the stage with Grandma Fay, the resident reader. Grandma Fay’s story time has been an in-store staple for six years. Her weekly groups come together for something more than just business as usual.

“Even though it’s retail,” says Fay, “It’s about the friends the books and the good kids that work here.”

Parents bring children of all ages to get engaged in reading. Grandma Fay includes songs, games and activities to bring her stories to life. Jennifer read Grumpy Bird and Grandma Fay read The Story About Ping. Afterward, children skipped coloring time to come on the bus and pick out brand new books.

Fueling Good: Powered by Individual Acts of Kindness

After breaking down on the U.S. 1, Bess the Book Bus gets a ride back to town on "Old Sweetheart"

Kerchunk. That’s how Monday started. The engine went kerchunk, all power was lost, and three check engine lights switched on. There are only a few things that can delay the 2011 Transitions/VSP Success is in Sight tour and an engine killing kerchunk is on that short list.

When the kerchunk hit, we were heading South on U.S. 1 to an event in Millinocket, ME. We pulled over to the shoulder and sat on the edge of nowhere, almost halfway between Houlton and Millinocket. Finding a mechanic was going to be a certain challenge. Bess is a 2004 Dodge Sprinter with a Mercedes diesel engine. The nearest Mercedes mechanic was 80 miles away in Bangor. Finding a tow truck willing to take us that far was nearly impossible, even with the help of AAA.

As they called dozens of towing companies, receiving one refusal after another, we made calls to possible mechanics. A passing driver saw our flashing hazards and pulled over to check on the situation. Lori was driving her son Nate to golf practice and had to stop, worrying that no one else would. This was a stroke of good luck at the start of an otherwise bad day. Her husband is a volunteer firefighter in Danforth and knew most of the mechanics and tow trucks in the area. Lori and Nate waited until Tom arrived to take their place. And although we thought everything was under control, he chose to keep us company on the side of the road.

The first hour passed, then the second. AAA was having no luck finding a towing company. The wait lasted hours. Tom scoffed every time a tow truck refused to come out. The tow was either too far, Bess was too big, or the money made from the tow would not cover their expenses. One company wouldn’t come out because of the risk of moose on the road. In Maine, that is an actual concern. A 3,500 lb moose can total a semi. Logging trucks fearlessly flew by in both directions.

Aside from the trucks, the road was quiet. A few cars drove past, two of which were Tom’s friends. The allure of an open hood was too much to pass up. They pulled over and peered inside, nothing looked wrong. No leaks, no blown hoses, no nothing. Based on the description Jennifer gave, it could be the engine’s turbo, the fuel filter or even a sensor. A kerchunk in the engine is a non-technical term and couldn’t rule out much.

It was almost noon when Hayes Towing, the only tow truck that would agree to come out, arrived. We waved down the dusty flatbed and the driver stepped out. Jennifer greeted him as he unwrapped the chains and turned on the lift. The tow truck, “Old Sweetheart”, hardly looked big (or sturdy) enough to tow Bess.

“Well, I can get her up,” he said. “Let’s hope I can tow her and get her back down.” From behind his mirrored sunglasses, it was hard to tell if it was a joke. Still, he dropped to ground and hooked the chains to Bess’s carriage. The wench turned on and rattled the chains. It was shaky for a moment as fluid leaked from Old Sweetheart’s bed. Slowly, Bess and her 3,000 books rolled forward and climbed aboard the truck. Todd could offer no guarantee, but he would try to tow us in. Todd was friendly despite the fact that he had to have his own truck, the one now towing Bess, towed back to the shop by his 15-year-old son and repaired mid way to rescuing us. He had blown a fuel pump and had to replace it prior to coming back out to get Bess. His initial hour drive from Staceyville had now taken him three hours. The tow to Bangor would take an additional two hours, and then he had an hour drive home. This was not going to be a money making endeavor for him, but he knew he was the only driver that had agreed to come out.

As we climbed into the cab, Todd offered us a soda and off we went. To get to Bangor, we would need to find a safe place to turn around. As we were turning, Todd got a call. It turned out to be a mechanic friend in Houlton recommending York Toyota, which was great news as it did not seem that Old Sweetheart was going to make the trip to Bangor. Her clutch was failing and the bed was still leaking hydraulic fluid. The ride to town was spent talking and trying to avoid red lights as Todd babied the shifter on his seven speed transmission through the hills and into Houlton.

Getting Bess down was went smoothly. The hydraulic bed shifted and gravity took care of the rest. Before Todd made the hour drive back home, we wanted to thank him for his help and hard work. Coming to get Bess was out of the way and dozens of closer tow trucks turned down the job. Despite his own mechanical challenges, Todd was not willing to leave us stranded. He knew getting Bess the Book Bus back on the road meant getting books into the hands of children. It’s because of people like Todd, people that embody the Fueling Good movement, that we can continue across the country. We sent him with a stack of books for his own children and a spot grant of a Citgo gas card worth $130. Thanks for Fueling Good, Todd.

Bess’s first breakdown at the start of the trip had set us back, $7,000, but it did not stop us. We were halfway to recouping those costs when the kerchunk sounded. The new repairs mean an additional setback of $1,200 and a serious blow to our budget, but this will not stop us either. We are determined to keep Success in Sight for our kids. The Fueling Good spirit embodied by Lori, Tom, and Todd kept our spirits up too. Fueling Good means doing what you can, when you can, for who you can, where and how you can despite life’s obstacles. We can do that. And thanks to DONATIONS from the folks fueling good at the Citgo refinery in Sulphur, LA and SVS Vision, a Transitions and VSP partner in Detroit, we are $600 closer to being back on track.

Spotlight: Clayton’s Collection

The Ebersold family suffered a terrible loss when 9-year-old Clayton was fatally struck by a car in 2007. Clayton crossed the road to check the mail, hopeful to find a brand new book inside. There was no package and as Clayton crossed back, he was hit by a station wagon in front of his home in Fredonia, WI. The book arrived two days after Clayton passed and was buried with Clayton.

Books were a fond part of Clayton’s memory that became his legacy. He was a veracious reader and always had a book nearby. His family kept extra books in the car in case he finished one while out at the grocery store. Classmates at Ozaukee elementary were encouraged by Clayton to find exciting new reads. After Clayton’s untimely passing, his family found a way to keep that passion alive.

The Ebersold family started Clayton’s Collection, an annual book drive, to share the joy that Clayton found in the pages of a book. It’s also a way for the Ebersolds to come together over Clayton’s love. Cheryl and Clinton, Clayton’s parents, collect books from local businesses and organizations. After school and on weekends, Cayleigh helps sort the books and attach her brother’s picture and memorial. In its four year history, Clayton’s Collections brought in more than 13,000 books.

The first year’s books were sent to victims of Hurricane Katrina. The following year supported flood victims in Tennessee. In 2009, Cheryl saw Bess the Book Bus in People Magazine and saw a chance to share Clayton’s love, Clayton’s story, across the country.

Bess traveled to Wisconsin in 2010 to receive the Ebersolds’ gift. We embraced Clayton’s memory by dedicating a special special shelf for his books and always keeping his picture on board. His books reached coast to coast, helping children who need encouraging friends like Clayton to keep reading.

The 2011 Transitions/VSP Success is in Sight Tour returned to Fredonia. Clayton’s Collection held its biggest book drive yet, receiving more than 4,000 books. We visited the Ozaukee Elementary, home of Clayton’s Corner. A section of the school’s library was decorated in camouflage, Clayton’s favorite, and shelved with his favorite books. Classmates made banners that hang in his memory. One banner reads:

“We will remember Clayton Ebersold as our kind friend who had a passion for reading and cared enough about each of us to share what he had learn so that we could learn too.

His warm smile.
His funny shirts.
His hilarious jokes.

Clayton taught us about friendship simply by being our friend. It was easy to be around him because he treated us with kindness and respect. There will always be a bright spot in our hearts especially for Clay.”

 

 

 

 

The Wisconsin Recap

One week aboard Bess the Book Bus can feel like a whirlwind of adventure. The 2011 Transitions/VSP Success is in Sight Tour traveled to Wisconsin for 11 stops in seven days. Our schedule was filled to see as much of the state and meet as many Sconies as possible. Each day brought Besss to a new town, setting up events at summer schools, youth centers and Citgo stations. From Madison to Milwaukee, Frediona to Sheboygan, we booked it through America’s Dairyland. Here are some of our favorite photos from some of our stops:

Wisconsin Dells Citgo

We met the Franklin family on their way back from a family reunion. It’s a four hour drive back to Chicago, and brand new books are a great way to pass the time.

Janesville Citgo

Ily (short for I love you) and Carlie were two of the first children at the Janesville Citgo to pick books. The sisters had thousands of books to choose from and found the perfect titles for summer reading.

Green Bay Citgo

The Green Bay Citgo station was the perfect place to grab a cup of coffee. Andrew and Leanne thought it was the perfect place to grab some brand new books.

Green Bay Boy’s and Girls Club

Even after a half dozen stops, the shelves are still full. More than 100 children came aboard Bess the Book Bus to pick out a brand new book.

Ozaukee Elementary

Summer school is in session and the students of Ozaukee Elementary are spending the day sitting in the grass reading their brand new books from Bess the Book Bus

Appleton Citgo

The Appleton Book Fest brought out some of the best children in city, like Alice who loved her brand new book.

Racine 4th of July Parade

We received our warmest welcome yet when we participated in Racine 4th of July Parade with the local Citgo station.

Sunshine Inn Daycare

The Sunshine Inn is across the street from the Citgo station in Eden, WI. We stopped in for a surprise story time and let the children pick books from Clayton’s Collection.

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These pictures only cover a small part of our big trip to Wisconsin. You can check out more pictures on Flickr, videos on YouTube and daily updates on Facebook and Twitter. Until next time, safe travels through the pages.

Foundations and Friendships

Some of our best friends come from books, others we find by giving books away.

Over the past eight years, Bess the Book Bus has grown with the help of nationwide support. Our success is built by the hard work of organizations and individuals dedicated to helping our children. No specific title has stuck when addressing everyone involved in our success. Sponsors, supporters, or partners never seems to say enough about what these people and organizations mean to us. So we address them for who they are. We call them friends.

Our most recent stop on the 2011 Transitions/VSP Success is in Sight Tour was Greeley, CO. There we would meet our friend Mrs. Margaret Richmond. Having suffered from an aneurysm many years ago, Margaret is unable to drive. That does not stop her from serving her community. She is a true inspiration.

With help from her daughter Martha, she gives children books, toys and hand-sewn blankets. They give more than 500 blankets each year to hospitals, shelters and group homes. One of the closets in their home, a deep walk-in closet lined with rows of shelves, is full of giveaways. And Margaret and Martha keep toys handy in the car, just in case they encounter a child while they are out.

There is a lifetime love of helping others inside Mrs. Margaret. She can remember with misty-eyed clarity the day she met Helen Keller. She also looks up to her father, who was a professor at Southern Methodist University in Texas. Their home was always full of books and Margaret was encouraged to read and ask questions.

Margaret and Martha recall first seeing Bess the Book Bus on The Early Show in 2009. Bess reminded Margaret of her father’s encouragement to become a lifelong reader. She felt compelled to join us in bringing the joy of reading to our kids across the USA. Now it was time to bring those children’s joy to Margaret.

Taking a detour at Kansas, we headed to Colorado to meet our friend. Margaret and Martha joined us at our events at the Greeley Boys and Girls Club and the Casa del Milagro Head Start. Several hundred books from Candlewick Press, Simon&Schuster, Penguin and Townsend Press went out between the two events. It was our first time in Colorado, and we can’t wait to go back. Friends like Martha and Margaret will always have a place on the book bus.

Until next time friends, happy travels through the pages. Drop us a line and let us know what you are reading.

Read a Book, Give a Book

Bess the Book Bus is proud to partner with Penguin and We Give Books to support the 2011/2012 Transitions/VSP Success is in Sight Tour.

Thanks to Penguin Group and the Pearson Foundation, supporting Bess Book Bus is as simple three easy steps. We Give Books will donate one brand new book to Bess for each book read online. Here’s how it works:

1. Sign up at We Give Books.
2. Choose Bess the Book Bus as your campaign
3. Start reading books!

There are hundreds of books to choose from. Help us reach our goal of 2,000 books by reading any of these great Penguin titles.

About We Give Books

We Give Books is a new digital initiative that enables anyone with access to the Internet to put books in the hands of children who don’t have them, simply by reading online.

We Give Books combines the joy of reading with the power of helping others, providing a platform for caregivers and educators to inspire children to become lifelong readers and lifelong givers.

We Give Books also helps some of the world’s best, most inspiring, literacy organizations by spreading the word about their great work and by providing books to the young people these organizations support.

We Give Books was created by the Penguin Group and the Pearson Foundation. Together, we support literacy through programs that engage entire communities through literacy and awareness programs like Booktime and Jumpstart’s Read for the Record. We hope that We Give Books proves to be a way that young children, together with their parents or caregivers, can come to understand the power of reading—and of giving—as much as we do

For more information, visit We Give Books

A Helping Hand

With less than a week left in class, the students of Mason Elementary receive a special treat. Second and third graders entered the auditorium and wait for an unexpected guest to arrive. They found out that morning that an author was coming and she has a special story to tell. Margaret Mason (no relation) quietly enters and stands on the stage and opens her book, “These Hands.” She turns the page and the grandfather says that his hands could do anything.

“These Hands”, published in 2010 and illustrated by Floyd Cooper, follows a heartfelt talk between a grandfather and grandson Joseph. He remembers the past, he remembers growing up in Detroit and he remembers all the wonderful things he could do with his hands. They could play piano, shuffle cards and swing a baseball bat. Mason turns the page, and the grandfather says that his hands could do anything but handle the dough at the Wonder Bread factory.

The hands that Mason writes about belonged to her friend Joe Barnett. In the 1950′s, African American workers were only allowed to sweep floors, load trucks and repair machines in bread factories. The discrimination went on for years before the passing of Civil Rights Act. Barnett worked tirelessly as a leader for the bakery unions that brought an end to the discrimination. Mason turns the page and the grandfather says it took hands joining hands to overcome.

It took an organized community to fight for itself and for its children. As a result of of the community joining hands all those years ago, Joseph is able to play piano, shuffle cards, swing a bat and bake a loaf of bread. Mason turns the page and the grandfather says that your hands can do anything, anything at all.

And although all hands are now free to reach for dreams, the tools to succeed seem out of reach for so many of our children in underserved communities. Detroit Public Schools has one of the nation’s lowest graduation rates in the nation. The school system is also managing $325 million in budget cuts threatens to close 29 schools and reorganize an additional 50. And when a problem threatens to limit the futures of children, it takes an organized community to make change.

There is no single answer to solving the problems of the education system. The students of today can’t wait while hands are tied by five year plans. There are immediate needs that can be addressed by the combined efforts of individuals and organizations in the community.

Mason’s presence in the school is part of her commitment to empowering youth by teaching through oral history. Her visit isn’t the only example of community action. Emily Martens, a 12-year-old Girl Scout from Cincinnati, organized a book drive and donated several hundred books to Bess the Book Bus reached through her community and on into Detroit. Earlier in the week, author Deborah Diesen visited MacDowell Elementary to read The Pout Pout Fish to students and encourage them to work hard. The ongoing efforts of individuals in the community greatly strengthens the futures of students.

The Eight Mile Boulevard Association has been linking local business efforts for 18 years to revitalize the community. Its partnership with Citgo will help improve the schools. It ties the Fueling Good movement in on the local level. Their presence in the schools will mean ongoing book drives and fundraisers to help put the future back in these students hands.

Leave us a comment to let us know how you are giving a helping hand in your community. The 2011/2012 Transitions/VSP Success is in Sight Tour continues with stops in Missouri, Kansas and Colorado. For daily updates, you can follow Bess the Book Bus on Facebook, Twitter, YouTube and Flickr.