Books for Kids' passion runs cover to cover

I doubt if the students from Rogers Garden Elementary School of Bradenton know much about John Riggio, who writes songs for Plank Road Publishing.

I doubt if you do, either.

Riggio, however, has a positive effect on thousands of kids, perhaps even yours.

His songs appear in Plank Road Publishing's magazine, "Music K-8," which is based in Wauwatosa, Wisconsin, but ordered by many schools around the country. With each magazine order comes the music and lyrics, or a CD, which allows music teachers to share it with their classes.

On March 12 at the Lakewood Ranch Country Club, music teacher Stewart Whitehead led a large group of his students into the Grand Ballroom, which was filled with those attending the Books for Kids Annual Luncheon.

One of their songs was Riggio's "It's My Book!"

"It's my book, yeah, where I go, it goes
It's my book, yeah, where I go, it goes
You will find me reading it 'til the cows come home
It's my book and where I go, it goes"

Whitehead obviously chose the song as a salute to the Books for Kids program, which began with five volunteers, who distributed 300 books that first year and helped 100 children in one school.

The program now has 175 volunteers working on its kindergarten and monthly reading programs. Four thousand books a month are distributed to 164 kindergarten through third grade classrooms in 11 Manatee County schools. The students can take the books home and keep them.

Over the years, the program has given away 160,000 books. This year alone, the program will distribute 28,000 books.

But more important, perhaps, is the impact that all the volunteers have on children, even if they remain, more or less, incognito, much like Riggio. They aren't likely to know if their gesture of kindness was a turning point for a child who eventually became an astronaut, or a scientist, or a doctor, or an architect, or a politician.

Gina Shulman, a key volunteer for Books for Kids, gave this description of her experience with Books for Kids.

Photo by Jay Heater

"I became a pied piper, and the kids followed my music," she told the crowd at the luncheon.

Of course, her music isn't really music, but the words she reads from a book.

Fellow reader Terry Spear noted that all the volunteers, such as Jim Wingert who is in charge of distribution, have a similar impact, even if they never open a book.

"I am a reader, but there is so much going on behind the scenes that gets us there," Spear said.

The man behind the Rotary Club of Lakewood Ranch program is Ted Lindenberg, whose efforts earned him the 2023 Humanitarian of the Year award from the Lakewood Ranch Community Foundation. He didn't rest on his laurels, as the program has continued to grow.

Lindenberg addressed a sold-out Grand Ballroom, his emotions flowing as usual.

"I have to take this all in. It is absolutely incredible," Lindenberg said, looking out at the teachers, school board members, politicians, Rotary Club members, and all his volunteers. "Today is about gratitude. It is about partnerships.

"But, mostly, it is about putting a book in the hands of children. It certainly takes a village."

Melissa McCullough, the principal at Daughtrey Elementary, said Lindenberg and his volunteers have had a profound impact on her school.

"It is part of our school's culture," she said of Books for Kids.

And to the volunteers, she noted, "You are more than a volunteer. You are more than a guest. You are a mentor."

Lindenberg, a former teacher and school administrator, thanked the principals for welcoming the program.

"I know this gives you another program on your plate," he said. "I can't thank you enough."

Laurie Breslin, the School District of Manatee County's superintendent, said the Books for Kids program is an example of why she is so proud of her district.

"This is beyond special," she said of Books for Kids. I know firsthand the power of this community. We have done it right here.

"We can not do this alone. You all are changing lives."

Susan Travilla, a co-cordinator of the Weekly Kindergarten Program, said Lindenberg's leadership must be recognized.

"We wanted a book for Valentines Day, but we couldn't afford it," Travilla said. "He allowed it."

Lindenberg always finds a way.

But he needs your help to find more ways. The 175 volunteers is impressive considering where the program started, but being in more schools will require more. You can go to FlBooksforKids.org to learn more.

One spot that would benefit would be Myakka Elementary School. The Books for Kids program had readers at that school in its first few years, but Lindenberg said he had problems in getting volunteers to drive S.R. 70 to Myakka City, about a 20-mile drive.

No school in the Lakewood Ranch area is part of the program, even though Lindenberg said 90% of his volunteer readers are from the area.

Lindenberg said absolutely there are children in the Lakewood Ranch area who could be helped by the program, "but if you look at the percentages of total children reading below grade level in all schools, there is no comparison."

He said most schools in Lakewood Ranch are "A" rated schools. Every school that is served by Books for Kids is a Title 1 school. A Title 1 school is a public school that receives federal funding under the Elementary and Secondary Education Act because it serves 40% or more of children from low-income families.

"Where is there more need for children to bring home books and build their own home library?" Lindenberg said.

Bashaw Elementary is the only East County-area school that is a Title 1 school. It is not served by Books for Kids.

Not yet.