Books for Keeps
RIF NOVA’s signature activity is our Books for Keeps program — to provide new books for 20,000+ children at over 30 schools and sites in the City of Alexandria and in Arlington, Fairfax, and Prince William counties. Book distribution celebrations are arranged by school liaisons throughout the academic year, during which children can choose their own book — or books — to take home to keep and read and reread! Each book is a stepping stone to growing a home library — a key building block to reading success.
Halloween Book Parade at ACCA
Even preschool children love picking out their own RIF NOVA books! At the annual ACCA Child Development Center Halloween fiesta, the kids listened to stories, trick-or-treated through the halls in full regalia, and went to the book pumpkin patch to choose a book to keep! Books change lives even at the beginning — as does the excitement of reading fun ahead! Some children could not wait to get started!
AES Brings Energy to Barcroft
Where does energy come from? Fifth graders at Arlington’s Barcroft Elementary learned a lot more about the topic during a visit from energy company AES. After an opening discussion about the basics of energy delivery, the children were challenged to map out the process with the help of AES volunteers. Using cut-outs, tape, embroidery thread, markers, and their imaginations, the children teamed up to create and and present some pretty creative storyboards. The event was topped off with an AES cap and a new STEM book to take home to keep. Active learning at its best!
Ozobots, Bear Hunts & Books!
Do you know what an ozobot is? First graders at Arlington’s Drew elementary do! And they used the little programmable robots as part of a mapping project based on the book, “We’re Going on a Bear Hunt.” With pencils, markers, and guidance from librarian Mrs. B, they plotted bear stops at a cave, a mud puddle, the forest, and more to see if the robots would follow along, cheering when there was success! After all this fun, there was even more fun as the children perused tables of RIF NOVA books and picked one each to take home for their home libraries.
Halloween Books & Pumpkin Fun
Children at the APS Teen Parenting Center dressed in Halloween finery to pick their new RIF NOVA books. From Thomas the Tank Engine to Minnie Mouse, Winnie the Pooh, firefighters, princesses, little pumpkins, and more, they each chose a book that caught their fancy. Many parents looked on as the children also picked a little pumpkin of their own from the pumpkin “patch.” It was absolute book and Halloween joy!
Storytime at FCMLCC
Storytime is a always special time at the Falls Church McLean Children’s Center — particularly when children also get to pick out a new book of their own! Children gathered around in mid-October as readers from the New Dominion Women’s Club shared some preschool favorites with eager young listeners. Then it was time to pick out a new Books for Keeps favorite to take home to love. The partnership between the NDWC and RIF NOVA always generates smiles and reading fun for FCMLCC kids!
