Local Kids Asked to vote on favorite books by Sunday, Feb. 26
“Chalk” by Bill Thomson is up for the SMART Book Award. Have your kids vote today on their favorite.
From Kennedy Gregory with SMART Reading:
After a two-year hiatus, children’s literacy nonprofit SMART Reading is bringing back its annual Book Award contest, inviting kids in The Dalles, Hood River, Cascade Locks, Odell and all over Oregon to cast their vote in this fun activity designed to inspire excitement around books and reading.
Launched in 2000, the SMART Book Award exposes children to a selection of high-interest, inclusive books chosen by staff and volunteers.
“Our goal is to introduce kids to a wide array of books — funny books, informative books, books where kids can see themselves and their experiences on the pages,” says Executive Director Jessica Bowersox. “We know that access to beautiful, engaging books boosts literacy and helps nurture a love of reading, which is what SMART – and the Book Awards – is all about.”
The program has been a local favorite for years and is offered in The Dalles at Chenowith, Dry Hollow and Col. Wright elementary schools. Local volunteers are paired with students who each read and grow together to increase literacy early, a major factor in the future academic success of children.
“Yo! Yes?” by Chris Raschka
Kids participating in SMART Reading programs have the opportunity to read each book and cast their vote in person. This year, for the first time ever, SMART is opening up the contest to all children in Oregon. Kids can read the selected titles and cast their votes at https://bit.ly/BookAward2023 until midnight on Sunday, Feb. 26.
“Your Fantastic Elastic Brain” by JoAnn Deak
This year, the nominated books are “Yo! Yes?” by Chris Raschka; “Your Fantastic Elastic Brain” by JoAnn Deak; “The Boy Who Loved Math” by Deborah Heiligman; “Chalk” by Bill Thomson; and “Hair Love” by Matthew A. Cherry.
The results of this unique, child-selected book awards program will be announced during a free live-streamed awards ceremony on Thursday, March 16 at 6:00 p.m. To learn more about the event, visit https://smartreading.org/about-smart/local-offices/metro-area/events/.
About SMART Reading
SMART Reading is a statewide children’s literacy nonprofit that serves kids in Oregon’s highest-need schools and communities with two ingredients critical for literacy and learning success: shared reading time and access to books. We mobilize volunteers to read with PreK through third-grade children, building confidence, literacy skills, and a love of reading and give away thousands of books for kids to keep. Since 1992, we have paired over 147,000 volunteers to read with 373,000 children, and have put over 4 million books in the homes of the children we serve. Visit www.SMARTReading.org or call 877-598-4633 to learn more.
