Great Bend elementary students received copies of the children’s novel “The One and Only Ivan” on Friday. These books are theirs to take home and keep, and to read with a family member as part of this year’s One District One Book community literacy program.
Since English is not the primary language spoken in some homes Great Bend, copies of “Ivan” were also offered in a Spanish version, said JoAnn Blevins, principle at Riley Elementary School. Blevins is chairman of this year’s One District One Book project.
The whole community is invited to read this book at the same time, so students have been encouraged to read the first 10 pages by the end of the day Monday. Children’s Librarian Dayna Ball at the Great Bend Public Library plans to get extra copies of the book soon for after-school readers and anyone else who wants to check them out.
When students were given their copies on Friday, each book came with a bookmark and coupons from nine local restaurants. The bookmark is a student’s ticket for a drawing for prizes at the end of One District One Book.
Families who visit one of the participating restaurants will learn that the staff are informed about “The One and Only Ivan,” a fictional story about an adult silverback gorilla living in captivity and on display at a mall. The staff are ready to talk to the students about the book, underscoring the importance of reading. The students can receive a coloring page and a stamp on their bookmark, giving them more chances to win prizes at the end of the promotion.
Students can also earn stamps on their bookmarks by participating in events.
Great Bend Public Library will have evening programs from 6-7 p.m. on the following nights: Oct. 3 for grades K-2, Oct. 4 for grades 3-4, and Oct. 6 for grades 5-6.
Long’s Pumpkin Patch in rural Great Bend will be open to One District One Book participants from 4-6 p.m. Oct. 11-13. By that time, students should be about half-way through reading their books.
Schools will also have trivia questions, a fundraiser to support wildlife conservation and to adopt a wild gorilla troop, and the culminating event at Zoo Boo on Oct. 29.
About One District One Book
Many people carry into adulthood fond memories of being read to as a child, and the One District One Book program hopes to make memories for a whole new generation of children, sponsors said when the program started in Great Bend last year.
“The purpose of the One District One Book program is to create a culture of literature in every home,” said Jennifer Schartz, USD 428 public information director. A well-read populace helps raise the level of the entire community. “Children who are read to learn to read more easily and become better readers,” Schartz said. “Literacy skills provide the basis for a lifetime of learning and productivity.”
However, she noted that parents don’t seem to read regularly to their children like they used to.
“Parents don’t realize how important they are in teaching kids to value reading. Families should be encouraged to read together,” she said, adding that the One District One Book program does it in a big, fun way.
