This summer, institutions in the city of Atlanta are hosting ‘book club reads’ aimed at promoting literacy skills and vocabulary enrichment in children 5 years and younger as part of the Mayor’s Summer Reading Club.
Georgia Public Broadcasting held a ‘book club read’ last week where former Atlanta Dream player Kia Vaughn read this year’s book selections: The Curious Cardinal, written by Mark Valdez and illustrated by Nicole Kang Ahn, and Little Blue Truck Leads the Way written by Alice Schertle and illustrated by Jill McElmurry.
In front of a group of children and families, Vaughn paused after The Curious Cardinal to talk personally to the kids who were listening eagerly.
“I think life is about trying to figure things out," Vaughn said. "As you continue to grow up and get bigger, you continue to be curious no matter what. So it's OK, it's a good thing.”
After the reading, Vaughn took the time to join some of the children for arts and crafts.
She told GPB it felt great to connect with the kids.
"I think kids are amazing," she said. "And, you know, we all know that they're the future. So just instilling, like, confidence — to be able to read is actually bonding time with whomever wants to read with them. But it's good motor skills. It's a good thing to have."
Irma Allen came out to the event with four kids. She said she reads to her kids all the time, but they were more engaged when Vaughn read to them.
"I guess because they're so used to me, they'll listen, but it's not as intense or with purpose as it is with someone they maybe saw on TV or someone they view is," Allen said, then paused. "Like when [Vaughn] walked in they're like, 'She's tall, she's beautiful,' you know? So that made them more attentive."
The Georgia Early Education Alliance for Ready Students coordinates the Mayor's Summer Reading Club. The next event is July 29.
