Welcome to our Mountain Readers Become Leaders program!

Mountain Readers is a literacy initiative designed to celebrate and foster a love of reading in children across West Virginia. Register your organization to read to a group of PreK-3rd grade children during Mountain Readers Week, Oct. 6-10, 2025.

Our book this year is The Wonderfully Wild Ones by West Virginia author, Adeline Boggs and illustrated by Ashley Belote.

Fill out our form HERE to sign up. **If you sign up AFTER Sept. 16, we cannot guarantee you will receive your book by Oct. 6.**

Volunteers can choose to read at libraries, classrooms, daycares, community centers and more! Celebrate and encourage a love of reading in West Virginia youth and prepare them to become leaders of tomorrow.

If you have any questions, please email us at education@wvpublic.org.

Thank You To Our 2025 Sponsors

The Wonderfully Wild Ones

Wonderfully Wild Ones is the story of three lively lions living in a tiny piece of “Almost Heaven,” but their adventurous, sometimes, mischievous spirits spark a journey of discovery.

Mountain Readers Statewide Receive:

  • A copy of the book The Wonderfully Wild Ones written by Adeline Boggs and illustrated by Ashley Belote

  • Resources and activities to accompany the book

  • Video messages from the author

2024 Mountain Readers Become Leaders Resources

West Virginia author Matt Browning reads West Virginia Public Broadcasting’s Mountain Readers book, CHICKS AND THE CITY, published by Headline Kids.
West Virginia author Matt Browning talks about his book, CHICKS AND THE CITY, published by Headline Kids, and its themes. The book is West Virginia Public Broadcasting’s Mountain Readers 2024 selection.
Video 1: Introduction to the Urban Farm
This video covers the basics, such as the farm, urban agriculture, and the crops and animals they grow. Suggested for younger learners through 5th grade.
 
Questions discussed include:
What is Patriot Guardens?
What is Urban Agriculture?
What do you grow at your farm?
Why plant flowers with crops?
Do you have an orchard like the one Stu visits?
Do you have chickens like Stu?
What do they eat?
Video 2: Plant Science and Community Involvement 
This video dives into topics like hydroponics, plant nutrients, and how the farm supports the community. Suggested for grades 3-5.
 
Questions discussed include:
How do hydroponics work?
Why do plants need nutrients?
How does your farm support the community?
Benefits of growing your own food?
How can people get involved?
The West Virginia Public Broadcasting staff reads this year’s Mountain Readers book, CHICKS AND THE CITY, by West Virginia author Matt Browning and published by Headline Kids.
At Home Experiment – Bean in a Bag
Daisy’s Garden
Garden Planner Worksheet
Additional Resources – Mountain Readers

Check Out The 2025 PBS KIDS Writers Contest Winners!

Click here to read all the winning stories from the 2025 PBS KIDS Writers Contest at West Virginia Public Broadcasting. You’ll also find the 2025 Reader’s Choice award winners on this page.

The PBS KIDS Writers Contest at WVPB is an annual competition that encourages West Virginia children in grades K-5 to explore the power of creativity by writing and illustrating their own stories.