WVPB Staffers And Friends Reach 4,000 Children With 'Read For The Record' Initiative

The West Virginia Public Broadcasting team, along with many of its great friends, will read the book “Thank You, Omu!” by Oge Mora to children across the Mountain State on Thursday, November 7, as part of Jumpstart’s international initiative, ‘Read for the Record’.

Kelly Griffith, WVPB’s education specialist, says all of West Virginia’s 55 counties are covered by 200 readers taking place at 54 libraries, 53 schools, Head Start programs, home school situations, after-school programs and day care facilities.

“Children with strong literacy skills are more likely to succeed in every grade,” Griffith, a 16-year veteran teacher, said. “A love of reading can fuel a passion for learning that benefits children for years to come. I’m so proud that we will be reading to more than 4,000 children across West Virginia.”

“This is a wonderful opportunity for us to give a little bit back to the communities across the state. It’s also one of my favorite parts of the job, spending time with energetic kids while supporting literacy programs,” said Chuck Roberts, WVPB’s executive director. “We’re taking our mission to educate, inform and inspire straight to little West Virginians and we think they will love this book.”

“Thank You, Omu”, a Caldecott Honor book, is about sharing and giving thanks as told by a generous woman who shares her delicious pot of stew with many of her neighbors until there is none left for herself and the unexpected and wonderful things that happen then.

Jumpstart is a nonprofit early education organization with the core belief that every child has the potential to succeed.