A good book can feed a child’s imagination

March 23, 2007

Miami Hamilton faculty, staff and students are urged to put a good book in the hand of every Jefferson Elementary School student before summer vacation.

Dr. Kelli Lyon Johnson, assistant professor of English, is trying to collect 523 books, one for every Jefferson student in the Hamilton City School District. So far she has accumulated about 25 percent of the goal.

Jefferson school is located in the city’s Fourth Ward. Many of its students qualify for free or reduced lunch and more than half of them are learning English as a second language. The school operates a program that continues to provide meals for its needy students throughout the summer.

“By donating new or very gently-used books in English or Spanish for grades K-6, we can also help to feed a child’s imagination during the summer vacation,” Johnson said.

Books can be dropped off in Johnson’s office at 217 Rentschler Hall, in her campus mailbox or the Student Services office. “I would also be happy to purchase books in your name. Five dollars will buy approximately one age-appropriate book,” she added.

Children’s imaginations can be captured by a particularly good book, and propel them to read on. As a child, singer Gloria Estefan loved Charlotte’s Web and A Tree Grows in Brooklyn. CBS Nightly News anchor Katie Couric’s favorite book was Light a Single Candle. Actor Morgan Freeman loved Liza Lou and the Yeller Belly Swamp.

“Consider tucking a note in your donation explaining why you love the book you chose, so students will see how books can change people’s lives. Whose life will you change?” Johnson said.

The Feed a Child’s Imagination program is coordinated by Johnson and Jefferson principal Mary Anne Hughes.