Reading is essential for student success, but too many children don’t have their own books or parents who read to them, and many minority students don't see themselves depicted in lessons or books. CEF’s Virtual Video Puppet Program combines the importance of reading with a fun, exciting way--through the eyes of two puppet characters from a book about diversity, unity, and inclusion-- to help instill a love of reading in children. The goal is to help students discover the joys of reading by bringing books to life in a unique and fun way that will cultivate good reading habits, while sharing the message about unity, inclusiveness, and diversity.

The University of Connecticut has a special Puppet Arts Program and creates world-class puppet masters. One of those puppet masters, Mary Gragen Rogers, is creating two puppet characters from the book, The Someone New, by Jill Twiss. The puppeteer will then create a show and read the book using the two puppets. The show will be videotaped for us to distribute via an online link, to school districts across the state to use as an online teaching tool. This 30 to 60 minute video program will provide teachers the opportunity to teach about diversity in a fun and exciting way. The author of the book and the illustrator have both given us their approval to use the characters and the book. In fact, the author has stated that she would like to be involved, so we are trying to find a way for her to participate in the video, maybe with a Q&A segment with the puppets at the end of the book. She or the puppet master might be good interviews.

About 3,100 first and second grade students in Bridgeport, the state’s largest and one of the poorest school districts, will receive a free book to take home with them. Due to COVID, we can only drop off the books to teachers at each school to distribute to their students. Teachers in the first and second grade classrooms in Bridgeport will also receive a special book about teaching diverse students. That’s a lot of books, three times our normal amount and we are seeking donations. As of right now, we have 500 books; Our Little Kitchen, by Jillian Tamaki, donated by her publisher, Abrams books. This is a beautiful hardcover book as is The Someone New and while we would like to give every student these book, we can’t afford to purchase the remaining 2,600 books. Even at a 54% discount offered by the publisher, it comes to nearly $25K. So, we are certainly looking for partners to help with costs so we can buy these beautiful books, or others for the students. Mercer Mayer has offered to donate books, but these are small paperbacks and would not be equitable with the other two books, but we are doing what we can with what we have.

I know there is a lot going on right now and there is a lot of need out there, but if you have any clients who might be willing to donate for the purchase of books, we would welcome them with open arms. Of course donors are included in every book plate, placed in each book and in any and all materials, including press releases and online and social media posts. Of course, time is of the essence and we would need to know if you have anyone available ASAP. It’s my fault, as I waited too long to hold a meeting with the committee and now we are a little behind as we need to move things forward and be ready for March 2- Dr. Seuss’ birthday.