BLACKSBURG, Va. – This week is Read Across America week, a time dedicated to encouraging reading among students.
In 2023, over 300,000 students in Virginia were either at risk of failing or failed their reading Standards of Learning (SOL) exams.
However, one librarian in Montgomery County is going above and beyond to excite kids about reading.
At Margaret Beeks Elementary School, students will remember forever seeing their favorite books come to life in their very own book garden.
“I had the kids vote on their top 24 favorite books, and this became New River Community College’s art students’ spring project,” said Rhonda Burch, librarian and media specialist. “So they painted all these stones and the artwork is incredible.”
Inspired by, and a tribute to a book garden in North Carolina hit by Helene, stones have been painted and placed in front of the school to highlight some of the students' favorite stories.
“Just seeing the detail and the artwork and just the talent, and also the kids getting so excited because these are their favorite books,” Burch said.
Third grade teacher Jenna King said it is important to foster a love for reading in elementary school, especially in third grade.
“Third grade is where they go from learning to read to reading to learn,” King said. “Reading is the one subject that is always going to be relevant.”
For the kids, there were lots of smiling faces as they saw their favorite books in the garden.
“I like to read the Cat in the Hat, but my favorite with the paint is probably Weird but True,” said Josie Dalton, a second grader.
“I just don’t know how they did Garfield that good,” said Layla Gravley, a third grader.
Leaders with the school say the art should last for years in front of the school.