VANCOUVER – “The more that you read, the more things you will know,” wrote Theodor Geisel (aka “Dr. Seuss”). “The more that you learn, the more places you’ll go.” It is with this idea in mind that Clark College has chosen Vancouver’s King Elementary School as the beneficiary of its ninth annual book drive, which runs Feb. 13-28.
Over the past eight years, the Clark College Bookstore has helped provide more than 1,100 books to area kindergartners. This year’s book selection is Dr. Seuss’ The Cat in the Hat, a favorite among children for seven decades. Geisel wrote the book in 1957 to support literacy in early childhood.
The community is invited to help purchase 100 copies of the Dr. Seuss classic to be given to kindergartners at King Elementary on Read Across America Day (March 2), a celebration to commemorate Geisel’s birthday. Books will be read aloud to students by volunteers from the Clark College Bookstore.
Research has shown that having age-appropriate books in the home promotes literacy in children. But according to the National Center for Children in Poverty, two-thirds of children from low-income families lack access to books. Clark College Bookstore Manager Monica Knowles, who has helped organize the book drive for many years, says that she often hears from her volunteers that this gift was the only book a kindergartner owned.
Copies of the selected Dr. Seuss books are available for purchase and donation Feb. 13-28 for $6.85 each (plus tax). Each book will include a nameplate with the donor’s name. Donors will be able to purchase books at the Bookstore or online via the Bookstore’s website at www.clarkbookstore.com, making it quick and convenient to participate in the book drive.
The Clark College Bookstore is located in Gaiser Hall on the northern end of Clark’s main campus. Clark College is located at 1933 Fort Vancouver Way, Vancouver. Driving directions and parking maps are available at www.clark.edu/maps. Information about the bookstore is available at www.clarkbookstore.com.
For additional information, contact Heidi Eckman at the Clark College Bookstore at (360) 992-2590.
