Have a Baby? Have a Book! BY
SARA JONES
First Books for Babies in Jefferson County, WV et a book into a child’s hands. That’s the important thing.” Charlotte Porter, retired children’s librarian and mother of three girls, was the driving force behind First Books for Babies in Jefferson County, WV. Launched in 2007, the program operates out of Jefferson Medical Center. Its mission is to send each newborn and parent home with a highquality book. “Babies may not be able to read, but they respond quickly to their mothers’ voices,” Porter says. Current director of the program, Monica Grabowska, agrees that a parent and child can bond over books. “It’s our hope that through this program we are fostering a love of reading.” FBFB is based on a Washington County, MD program called Books for Babies. Now in its 15th year, the Washington County program has given away 22,284 books. Inspired by their success, Porter convinced the Shepherdstown Library, the Jefferson County Reading Council, and the auxiliary at the hospital to sponsor a similar project. “The county commissioners started us with seed money, and individuals donated. It was kind of hard at first. Now we’re doing a push to get new donors.”
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2015 Family Resource Guide
Operating under the auspices of the local public library, FBFB does not have a regular major funding source. Grabowska, a fourth-grade teacher at Shepherdstown Elementary School, explains, “Finding the money to keep the project going is always a concern.” A wide variety of organizations have supported FBFB. A Vacation Bible School walk-a-thon in Bolivar, WV raised funds, and the Theater Department at Jefferson High School dedicated a portion of its box office proceeds to the program. In 2012, Shepherdstown Elementary held a week-long read-a-thon and raised more than $1,800—enough to buy FBFB books for an entire year. (The top four readers were rewarded with a trip to the hospital to see the newborn babies.) “We treasure all efforts, large and small, to help keep this project going,” says Grabowska. Donations to the program are tax-deductible. The program itself is a community effort. The FBFB committee orders the books. Local Kiwanis Kids and 4H groups help with the packaging, as a way to earn community service credit. Nurses at Jefferson Medical Center estimate how many babies will be born that month, and distribute the packets to each new parent. An average of 15 to 20 books are given away each month. The books are chosen based on recommendations of the American Library Association, the Shepherdstown children’s librarian, and the FBFB members’ own experience. The nurses’ feedback is very important as well. Kathy Blue is on the FBFB committee, and in 2011 had the pleasure of knowing that her own grandson with was presented with a packet. It included a board book, bookmark, a brochure from First Books For Babies, and brochure from the American Library Association with tips on what and how to read to your child. “I believe his book was Goodnight Moon,” Blue says. Both Porter and Grabowska have fond memories of stories, poetry, and reading throughout their lives. Porter’s mother “would recite poetry, sing songs, and tell stories while we worked in garden.” Porter herself helped many
Child Guide
children discover the joy of reading. When a child complained he didn’t like to read, Porter replied that he just hadn’t found Pictured are Kevin Sturm the right and his little twin sisters, book. She Amanda (in the print pjs) gave him and Isabella My Side of the Mountain by Jean Craighead George, and he was hooked. Grabowska’s family also has their favorites. Jack Perlutsky’s Ride a Purple Pelican is a collection of poems about different cities and states. Maurice Sendak’s Chicken Soup with Rice; Baby-O by Nancy White Carlstrom; Chicka Chicka Boom Boom by Bill Martin, Jr. and John Archambault are all about rhythm and words. “But we also loved the Carl board books, which have almost no words at all.” Grabowksa’s two daughters, now in college, still love the books of their childhood. “They were especially concerned when I started teaching, because they didn’t want their treasures carted off to my classroom library!” This spring, FBFB will present a book to its 2000th baby, and is planning a celebration at the hospital to mark the milestone. Grabowska believes strongly in the blessing of books. “We hope… it will be part of the bonds that tie a family together, one of those things that you revisit over the years and always get that same strong sense of love and security.” The FBFB committee also includes Libby Sturm, Sue Lane, and Teresa McCabe. For more information, contact the Shepherdstown Public Library or Monica Grabowska at daileygrabowska@comcast.net. Sara Roberts Jones lives in Stephens City, VA, with her husband and four kids. They’ve worn out several copies of Green Eggs and Ham, Goodnight Moon, and Pajama Time. www.childguidemagazine.com