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Hernando Today

Imagination Library rolls out for preschoolers

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By KARYN MORAN HOLTON

Hernando Today correspondent

Published: June 25, 2009

The United Way of Hernando County, in partnership with the Dollywood Foundation, held its rollout event last week to kick off the start of the Dolly Parton Imagination Library.

The aim of the program is to instill an early love of reading and learning in children before they begin school. Early childhood education experts say that one of the main reasons that preschoolers are not read to is that there are no age-appropriate books in the house.

In order to give children access to books, the Imagination Library mails each enrolled child a new hardcover book every month, until the child reaches age 5. The first book the child receives is the classic "The Little Engine that Could." According to the note in the specially printed edition of the book, Dolly Parton hopes "you love these books and enjoy the precious moments that they will create."

Moms pushed babies in strollers while older siblings giggled and played with balloons. Several speakers talked to the children and parents about the importance of education and the benefits of reading to young children.

Florida Rep. Rob Schenck spoke to the crowd about how much fun reading is when you do it together.

"Having a preschooler, I understand the importance of reading," Schenck said. "This program is a great benefit to any child under 5."

Hernando County Commissioner Rose Rocco engaged children by asking them about what they wanted to be when they grew up. The answers ranged from "firefighter" to "princess," but Rocco reminded the children that no matter what they wanted to do, reading was the key to getting there.

"Comprehension is one of the most important things we can teach our children," Rocco said. "Reading gets them prepared for that and teaches them how to learn."

"Children are like little sponges," she added. "They soak up whatever they're exposed to and when it's something positive, like being read to, that positivity stays with them."

Schenck, Rocco and representatives from Florida Sen. Mike Fasano's office read to small groups of the children, much to the delight of children and parents alike.

"This is just awesome," said Donna Giarratana, who brought her grandsons Alec and Jace. "When you can't afford books, you try to make a way, but this is great for families who don't have other opportunities to get their children used to reading."

"I'm telling all the people I know who have young children about this program," she added.

Shahra Anderson, from Sen. Bill Nelson's office, says that Sen. Nelson is enthusiastic about these kinds of programs.

"It's just a great idea, especially with all the cutbacks in schools and libraries," she said. "We have to go back to the community ideas of helping each other. Like the saying goes, 'Lift as you climb'."

Parents can enroll their preschoolers up to age 5 online at the United Way of Hernando County Web site at www.unitedwayhernando.com or call 352-688-2026.

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