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It always catches my eye when I see mention of a program meant to spark love of reading in the minds of very young people. I happened upon one the other day — The LiTEArary Society — which claims to have “donated over $326,000 worth of new, best-selling picture books to over 28,000 disadvantaged preschool children in all 50 states.”
Wonderful! Then I looked a little closer. This feat has been accomplished by an organization founded by an 18-year-old in Morgantown, W.Va.
Her name is Rania Zuri, and she is already a savvy marketer, calling her organization “the world’s largest entirely youth-led, 501 (c)(3) non-profit organization with the mission of ending book deserts for disadvantaged children.”
Money from donations — all of it — goes toward the purchase of books for children in Headstart programs across the country.
If you’ve read even a little of what I write, you know I’m a fan of as many people as possible being able to read as much as possible. Anyone who suggests a book shouldn’t be read is essentially telling people there is something in that book they would like to control your ability to think about and ask questions about.
But that philosophy goes for those old enough to make their own decisions about what they are reading, of course — and assumes people are being raised in households where books, whether borrowed from the library or purchased, are valued and accessible.
For children at the age to be in Headstart programs, the spark that might be ignited by the kinds of books provided through The LiTEArary Society is priceless. If a child can learn to enjoy learning from and being entertained by books, the world is wide open for them.
That’s why I just loved reading the society’s mission of “Inspiring Future Bibliophiles, One Book at a Time.”
Knowing that mission started right here in the Mountain State is a bonus.
Zuri and other leaders of the organization should be proud of their work. And they should be proud of becoming part of a movement that also includes organizations such as the Dolly Parton Imagination Library, which are springing from Appalachia to ensure upcoming generations are more likely to embrace books than to be afraid of them.
Those ages 13-21 looking to start their own LiTEArary Society club can get in touch with the organization at www.liteararysociety.org/ to get a club kit and find out more. Those 12 and under can join The Lemonade Society division, which pursues the same mission … but all club meetings are supervised by a parent or caregiver.
Oh, and if you’re wondering why TEA has been crammed into “literary” to form the group’s name, the website says it is a way to combine Zuri’s love of drinking tea and discussing literature. Those two activities also make up half of the organization’s meetings, while the other half is focused on carrying out the mission. Adults can help, too, by donating to end book deserts “one book at a time.”
Finding out about this group of young people was such a good surprise. The possibility that they are part of the change that will propel the next generation high enough to lift us all is a wonderful thought.
Christina Myer is executive editor of The Parkersburg News and Sentinel. She can be reached via e-mail at [email protected]