I took a ride and some small walks on an early Westchester morning. In search of the Little Book House. Jared Rice, City Councilman in New Rochelle, New York spoke about these cute little homes for books a couple of months ago on Facebook. The concept is simple. Children can take a book for free while the community members add books for the children to take. New Rochelle is promoting reading and easy access. Especially around places where students do not frequent the local library.
If you want children to read, you must provide them with books. It is important to understand that most children learn to read by six or seven years of age. Then there are some children who learn at four or five years of age. Even if a child has a head start, she or he may not stay ahead once school starts. It is with hopes that the other students will catch up during the second or third grade. Academically, children growing up in homes without books are on average three years behind children in homes with lots of books, even when controlled for other key factors. (M.D.R Evans et al, Research in Social Stratification and Mobility, June 2010)
My first stop was Lincoln Park located in New Rochelle, New York and of course I added some books to the Book House. What a feeling, to contribute to little minds. By the way, the neighborhood garden where this particular Little Book House is located, is absolutely incredible and full of love.
Excited to give more I then headed over to Hugenot Children’s Library located on North Avenue in front of New Rochelle High School. The theme for this Book House was “Good Night Moon.” Goodnight Moon is an American children’s book written by Margaret Wise Brown and illustrated by Clement Hurd. It was published on September 3, 1947, and is a highly acclaimed bedtime story. It features a bunny saying “good night” to everything around: “Goodnight room. Goodnight moon.”
Little Free Library is a nonprofit organization that inspires a love of reading, builds community, and sparks creativity by fostering neighborhood book exchanges around the world.
Through Little Free Libraries, millions of books are exchanged each year, profoundly increasing access to books for readers of all ages and backgrounds.
These little free library’s were supported by:
My Brothers Keeper New Rochelle
The New Rochelle Council on the Arts
The New Rochelle Public Library
New Rochelle Department of Parks & Recreation
Arts Westchester
http://www.littlefreelibrary.org
If you are in the neighborhood please drop off some books. Once you are able to read. You will forever be free. [enjoy the video clips]
#readingisfundamental #thabump #freebooks #westchester #littlefreelibrary #thabrownurbanmotherpartnership #reading 
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