Rolling Readers ignites children’s love for reading in school classrooms

Improving literacy levels is the aim of the nonprofit organization

By Anne Bartholomew

Every Tuesday, the students in Mike Giffen’s first grade class at Adams Elementary School return from lunch to a magical part of their day. Waiting for them in the classroom is Ranessa Ashton, a read-aloud volunteer. Gathering on the carpet, full of energy, eyes full of wonder, they are engaged and mesmerized by her spoken words.
To an observer, it is simply a read-aloud sessopm. To the 19 children who are listening, it goes far beyond the book. Minds are entertained with vivid pictures, imaginations are ignited by the dynamic reading, and growing readers are inspired.
This scene is witnessed at schools throughout San Diego County, through the efforts of Rolling Readers, a local children’s literacy nonprofit organization. Rolling Readers, based in Normal Heights, serves more than 9,000 children each week, spreading the joy of literature with Read-Aloud Volunteers and new book ownership.
More than 350 volunteer readers take part in the Read-Aloud Program. They visit high-need schools, bringing along books, an enthusiasm for sharing stories and a commitment to motivating the children to love reading. Twice a year, each child in the program receives a new book to call their own through a book giveaway event. Each aspect of the program allows children to associate books with something fun and exciting.
“Kids are more motivated to read,” explains Giffen as the students ponder a question by Ashton. “There is 100 percent engagement and they look forward to this special time.”
Being exposed to literature and experiencing a story that takes them beyond their reality are just a few benefits of the program.
The Rolling Readers organization, with only two full-time staff members and an annual budget of about $250,000, is committed to seeing change in the community.
Allison Bechill, the executive director, has been with Rolling Readers for three years and is excited about what lies ahead. “All of us at Rolling Readers, and those in the community that support us, are dedicated to changing the dire statistics surrounding children’s literacy,” she says. “I was shocked when I learned that the ratio of books to children in low-income neighborhoods is 1 to 300, which means that on average, there is one book for 300 children.”
Although those statistics are striking, Bechill explains that there is always opportunities to help: “Any single person in the community can make a difference, and can greatly impact a child’s life by any amount of giving,” she says. “This will allow more books to reach the hands and homes of children who need them the most.”
The book giveaway — currently under way for distribution in the spring — will see more than 7,500 books distributed to the children in local schools with the highest need. An integral part of the program, the event allows children to build their home libraries. “Books in the home are crucial for a child’s reading success,” explains says Bechill. “For the majority of the students we serve, these are the only two books they will receive this year that they can truly call their own.” Giffen agrees: “They don’t have opportunities for books in their homes, and receiving a book is not only a proud moment for them, but it gives them ownership and empowers them to read it,” he says.
Receiving no government support, the Normal Heights organization relies entirely on private donations from individuals, corporations and foundations to run the programs and ensure these home libraries are being built. Ashton, president of Rolling Readers’ board of directors and a long-time read-aloud volunteer,  visits Giffen’s class each week. “Yes. we need money, but not a lot,” she says. “If everyone in San Diego gave $20 we could distribute a lot of books. With a little time, a little money, we can make a big difference.”
As the read-aloud winds down, Ashton finishes reading one of the day’s stories, “Mahalia Mouse Goes to College.” When she asks, “Who is going to go to college,” hands fly up. “I’m going to go to college!” the students exclaim.
Giffen witnesses the exchange and says, “This program is worth its weight in gold.”
Persons interested in supporting the spring book giveaway or volunteering for the read-aloud program, contact Rolling Readers at (619) 516-4095. To make a donation online, visit rollingreaders.org.