I’m Sharon Coleman, a child care provider of 22 years. I want to continue my literacy program of visiting other child care programs and reading multicultural & diversity books to the children. Books which mirror the lives of young children help with self confidence, acceptance, differences and sames. Encouraging early reading helps foster a love for books, reduces time on the tv and electronic devices and increases family time reading together.

This project is important to me because young children are failing at reading in elementary school. Preparing them in preschool to read and enjoy books will increase reading levels. Age-appropriate books with simple, colorful illustrations help a child to read.

The funds will be used to purchase a variety books to give to young children during the storytelling session for each to take home. Taking time to read books and talk about them afterwards with children also helps to encourage reading.