MUSCATINE, Iowa —  Angela Schroeder and her newborn son, Wyatt, left Muscatine’s Unity Hospital with a special gift  this week.

They received a colorful  book featuring Peter Rabbit that can be shared with Wyatt’s siblings.

“My other son, Quinlin, is 7,” said Angela, 28. “And he told me, ‘As soon as you bring him home, I’m going to read to him.’”

Angela, who also has a 9-year-old daughter, Jessica, received the book with a hand-sewn carrying bag  from the Muscatine Literacy Coalition’s Born to Read program.

The Coalition, along with another local group, the Tree of Knowledge, are headed, coordinated and fueled by teams of volunteers and have provided thousands of free books for area children ranging in age from newborn to teen.

This month, the groups will join forces with another Muscatine organization when, on Nov. 14, they will give free books to children from newborns to eighth-graders who attend the Muscatine Symphony Orchestra’s Literary Greats concert at  7:30  p.m. Saturday, Nov. 14.

Recently, Marlene Graves, coordinator of the Tree of Knowledge, and Duffy DeFrance, executive director of the Muscatine Literacy Coalition, discussed their programs and their project with the Symphony.

The little seed that grewWhen Graves first took over as coordinator for the Tree of Knowledge in 2000, she was intrigued with the concept of planting a love for reading in the minds of the area’s youngest residents.

Since then, she has provided more than 20,000 books for area children ages 5 and younger.

Graves actively seeks monetary donations as well as those of new and gently used books to support the program.

She directed the Tree of Knowledge program through the Muscatine Volunteers and Information agency until it discontinued its services in May.

She now operates with  Muscatine’s Flickinger Learning Center, 413 Mulberry Ave.

The Tree of Knowledge supplies free books for children who attend area, state-licensed preschools, day care centers and in-home day care services. She also takes books to area homeless shelters and local Christmas assistance programs.

The program has received national recognition from the Points of Light Foundation and USA Today as a Make a Difference Day project. It was also recognized by the Bi-State Literacy Council for it efforts to support literacy and cultural diversity.

The Tree of Knowledge conducts a back-to-school book giveaway at the beginning of each year. 

“I do give books to the school for classroom use,” said Graves. “But my hope is that kids will take books home to their families to read with their parents.”

She also takes books to schools in celebration of the birthday of the famous children’s author Theodore Geisel, better known as Dr. Seuss. At the end of the school year, Graves takes books to preschool children to take home for the summer.

Books for babies

For the past decade, every baby born at Muscatine’s Unity Hospital has been welcomed into the world with a book of his or her own.

DeFrance said the books are given to families at no charge through the work of the Literacy Coalition’s Books for Babies program.

The book program began as a project for then-Muscatine High School junior Theresa Putnam as part of her application for the Hoover Uncommon Student Award.

To qualify for the scholarship award, students create a community-service project for their community. Putnam developed a plan for the Born To Read program, which sends each newborn home with a book in a book bag.

Duffy DeFrance, executive director of the Muscatine Literacy Coalition and the former children’s librarian for Muscatine’s Musser Public Library, said she and several other area volunteers decided to support Putnam’s effort and the Literacy Coalition came into being.

Although she did not win the Hoover Uncommon Student Award, Putnam did became a finalist in the program and left a lasting legacy for future generations of readers.

Now a counselor for the Louisa-Muscatine Community School District, Putnam said she is thankful the program continues to this day.

“I am impressed by the devotion the people of Muscatine have put into this to keep it going,” said Putnam.

As an educator, Putnam is more aware than ever of the impact early learning can have on a student’s life.

“Every little bit helps,” Putnam said of encouraging families to read together.

DeFrance said each books comes with a brochure which describes the importance of reading to children.

DeFrance said the Literacy Coalition has given away nearly 4,000 books to babies born at Unity Hospital.

DeFrance said the Coalition has recruited five teens to serve as volunteer coordinators for the group since it was established. This year, Muscatine High School junior Elizabeth McKillip fills that role.

DeFrance said her group also cooperates with West Liberty organizations and events such as the city’s annual Children’s Festival.

“We have given out more than 400 books over the past three years at that event,” said DeFrance.

The Literacy Coalition is now under the umbrella of the Community Foundation of Greater Muscatine, which provided the Coalition with grants to purchase books for the past two years.

Arts and reading

Brian Dollinger, conductor of the Muscatine Symphony Orchestra, said he is pleased the Literacy Coalition and the Tree of Knowledge will partner with his orchestra in handing out books at the Nov. 14, concert.

The concert fits in well with the theme of literacy because it features songs based on popular children’s stories, such as the “Mother Goose Suite.”

“The concert has a connection to literary greats,” said Dollinger. “Including Shakespeare, Mother Goose and the Brothers Grimm.”

Dollinger said the concert will include the world premier performance of American composer David Stern’s “Symphony No. 2.”

“It’s pretty amazing stuff!” said Dollinger.

A community effort

Area residents can help continue the literacy outreaches by donating new and gently used books to both organizations.

Graves accepts books for children ages 0-5 for her day care and preschool program.

DeFrance’s book needs focus on children in grades K-12.

 Contact DeFrance at  563-732-2468 or Graves at 563-263-7581 to donate books or the money to purchase books.

Details

Online: Learn more about the Muscatine Symphony Orchestra at: www.muscatinesymphony.org/

index.html

To help: Donations for the Muscatine Literacy Coalition can be mailed to the Community Foundation of Greater Muscatine 208 W. Second St., Suite 13, Muscatine, Ia. 52761

What: The Muscatine Symphony Orchestra presents, “Literary Greats,” with a free book program for children from newborn to eighth-grade.

When: 7:30 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 14.

Where: The Muscatine Center for the Performing Arts, 901 Cedar St.

Tickets: Ages 18 and under, free; Ages 19-64, $12; Ages 65 and older, $10.

Program: Music for the evening includes: “Romeo and Juliet Fantasy Overture,” Tchiakovsky; “Humperdinck’s Hansel and Gretel Prelude,” and “Mother Goose Suite,” by Ravel.