Teresa Tartaglia

A Book & a Buddy: Growing Readers One Child at a Time After 30 years as an elementary teacher, I recently retired—but I quickly realized that retirement wasn’t going to keep me out of the classroom. I now substitute teach, and every time I walk into a classroom, I’m reminded of just how important reading is for all students. I’ve always believed that reading is the foundation for learning. But being back in classrooms has made me see something even more clearly: some children need someone to help them discover that books can be exciting, comforting, and truly their own. That’s why I’m starting A Book & a Buddy. My goal is to provide a child with a book chosen especially for them, along with a small character or “buddy” that connects to the story. My hope is that when a child receives that book, they don’t just see another assignment—they see a story that belongs to them and a little friend to remind them that reading can be fun. I would love to do this each time I substitute in a classroom, whether that means choosing one child to receive a book and buddy or, as funding allows, providing them for more children. My dream is simple: One child. One book. One little buddy. One opportunity to fall in love with reading. Your donation will help me purchase age-appropriate books and story-related characters for children who may need a little extra encouragement to become readers. As a retired teacher, I know firsthand that a good book can open a door to imagination, confidence, and learning, and success. I want to keep opening those doors—one child at a time. If you’re able to contribute, thank you. If you can’t, sharing this fundraiser would mean just as much to me. Together, we can help children discover that they are readers, their stories matter, and there is a whole world waiting for them inside a book. ❤️ Thank you for helping me grow readers, one book and one buddy at a time.