In 2007 Pam Allyn, literacy educator and author, visited Kibera, an area of extreme poverty in Nairobi, Kenya. There, she experienced the urgent desire children had to read, write, and share their stories, and the barriers that stood in their way. Pam believed literacy is not a gift given just to some lucky ones, it is a foundational human right that brings joy, economic independence, gender equity and a pathway out of poverty. (Litworld.org)

Inspired after her first visit to Kibera, Pam returned to New York and energized a group of friends and leaders to join her in building a new movement founded on this belief. This new movement is LitWorld, an organization with three core models and programs. One of the models is World Read Aloud Day. World Read Aloud Day calls global attention to the importance of reading aloud, sharing stories, and the idea of literacy as a human right by bringing communities together across the world to read aloud and change the world.

February 1, 2019 marks the tenth anniversary of World Read Aloud Day. We will be recognizing this important work of Pam Allyn by having a designated time during our school day for a read aloud in every classroom here at Blueberry Hill. Please continue our school to home partnership and join us in this worthy endeavor by having your own read aloud at home on Friday, February 1, 2019!

I have included a few book suggestions that support this month's Social Emotional Learning theme, Emotion Management, for your read aloud enjoyment.