Birthday Books – Assistance League

“A book is a gift you can open again and again.” — Garrison Keillor
There are many gifts that will be given and received this holiday season, but a book will continue to give long after the final page has been read. In addition, the love of reading will last a lifetime.  With this in mind, Birthday Books became the latest philanthropic program of Assistance League®  of Santa Clarita.
Research has shown there is no such thing as a child who hates reading.  There are simply kids who are reading the wrong book.  Giving students a choice as to what book they are interested in is a powerful gift and helps foster a love of reading. 
The goal of the Birthday Books Program was to foster an appreciation for books and reading, as well as to provide a book in the students’ name to be shared by their classmates.  During their birthday month, students individually select their gift of two books, one for their home library and one to add to their classroom library.  There are presently three elementary schools that are part of the TK – 2nd grade Birthday Books Program: Cedarcreek Elementary, McGrath Elementary, and Newhall Elementary. 
Many students arrive shy and unsure of which books to pick.  The title of the book or an interesting book cover might capture their interest.  Assistance League member volunteers often help them with their selection. When they leave, the smiles come out and there is an amazing transformation that is brought about from this experience.
The students return to their classrooms empowered, their two books in hand, one for home and one for the classroom.  Both books have a bookplate with the child’s name on it, a source of pride and connection to their classroom community.
“He that loves reading has everything within his reach.”
—William Godwin