Kids: Read to a Book Buddy

Kids version: Are firefighters your favorite thing? Ballerinas the absolute best? Want to spend some one-on-one time with a sports mascot?

Parents version: Kids will be able to spend 10 minutes on Saturday, June 21 reading to a “book buddy,” comprised of local sports figures, fire and police personnel, mascots and other characters, as part of a partnership with the Grand Rapids Public Library and the Heart of West Michigan United Way.

Six of our branches — Englehardt (Lowell), Kentwood (Richard L. Root), Plainfield Township, Sand Lake / Nelson Township, Walker and Wyoming – will take part in an effort to promote 400 Minutes, the amount of time  it is estimated that kids should spend reading each month during summer to prevent summer slide — what those in literacy circles refer to as the reading gains during the school year that can be lost over summer break.

Click here to see time ranges at each of the participating branches.

Anyone who has participated in KDL’s Ruff Readers programs over the last 10 years knows the marked impact it has on kids and reading. This summer, we invite kids to get themselves a book buddy — whether a dog, a firefighter or an athlete — and explore the worlds that a love of reading can open.