Reading With Molly

By Dawn Schwab

Molly is seven. She loves to read, eat burritos, play with her stuffed kitties and go to "Wal-Mark". Asked why she likes Wal-Mart, she replies "They have everything we need . . . toys, bubble bath, and burritos." What Molly doesn't realize is that Wal-Mart has given children like her something else that she needed, a gift that continues to enrich her life.

Thanks in part to the contributions of five Missouri Wal-Mart and Target stores, MHC's READ from the START programs reached 1,874 parents and caregivers over the past year.  Every person attending the programs took away more than the seven free books; they all took new skills that could change a family's story in a positive way. One thousand, eight hundred, and seventy-four stories – as a result of a small stack of books and guidance from a READ from the START discussion leader. We have already mentioned Molly – here is her story – just one of over a thousand stories connected to the program last year.

Molly's caregiver, whom she lovingly calls "Auntie," was one person who was touched by this program. Auntie works full-time; she has never finished school (we hope to never finish our education). She wants things to be better for Molly. In the READ from the START program, Auntie found more than just free books – she found that she and the books could effect a major change in Molly's life

The program gave her new caregiver a special way to bond with Molly. When she first came to live with Auntie, Molly was shy and wasn't quite sure how to relate to this older and more serious woman. But Auntie had books, among them Gregory the Terrible Eater, A Chair for My Mother and The Snowy Day. Molly's auntie remembers that Gregory was the first book they read together.

Molly's auntie remarked, "I was still finding out about her likes and dislikes, food-wise, and while we read this book we talked about the things we like to eat – and why we can't always have exactly what we want."

Since their early reading experiences, Molly and Auntie have become much closer, but books still make it easier to talk about things. Together, they explore different reactions to teasing, being angry, being happy – all through stories. "We have had many discussions about Molly's deceased mother while reading A Chair for My Mother and I Miss You. At first I was reluctant to read her books with 'Mother' specifically mentioned – but Molly says I'm like a spare mom so it's okay!"

Not only have Molly and Auntie bonded over reading, they have discovered another hobby to pursue together. They look for books. Auntie takes Molly to the Goodwill store, second hand book shops and garage sales and together they find treasures.

"We get so excited when we find a really good story – it's not expensive and we feel a triumph when we find something we've really been anxious to read! One of Molly's favorite foods is corn – we found a book about how corn is grown and processed. We laughed about the corn book, but we've read it so many times that Molly sure knows a lot about corn! And I have to admit, I've picked up a few books for myself too."

Since Molly is in first grade, and a big girl now, she can read on her own. But she and Auntie still read together, alternating pages sometimes, every night before bed. "She just blossomed after we started reading together. It has become our nightly ritual – even when Molly is visiting relatives we talk every night so we can read our story by phone."

Contributions from generous donors make it possible for families like Molly and her auntie to learn about reading – and so much more. The Missouri Humanities Council, as well as Molly and Auntie, are grateful to the following organizations for their support of the READ from the START program.

Anonymous Donor (we don't know who you are, but we love you!)

Metropolitan Alliance for Adult Learning
Kansas City MO

Brentwood Greatland Target
25 Brentwood Promenade Court
Brentwood, MO

Wal-Mart Supercenter #29
724 W. Stadium
Jefferson City, MO

Wal-Mart Supercenter Store #79
2623 West 7th Street
Joplin, MO

Wal-Mart Supercenter Store #573
1000 NE Sam Walton Lane
Lee's Summit, MO

Wal-Mart Store #145
3310 W. Georgia Street
Louisiana, MO

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Published monthly by the Missouri Humanities Council, a tax-exempt, non-profit organization affiliated with the National Endowment for the Humanities, a Federal agency.
http://www.mohumanities.org
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St. Louis, MO 63144