The Power of Play and Literacy

By Katy Nicholson, Executive Director

Play is not just a break from learning; it is learning. Our annual theme at Words Alive, “Play It Forward: Stories of Kindness,” is grounded in this simple truth. Researchers have shown that pretend play and literacy share aspects of higher-order thinking and problem-solving. Play and literacy are two sides of the same coin, each sparking curiosity, imagination, and connection. Through play, children learn skills that they carry with them throughout their lives. Play also provides opportunities to practice empathy, expand comprehension, and build the foundational skills that make reading and storytelling meaningful. (Roskos, PhD, 2023).

There’s no better partner than Geppetto’s Toy Store to help us unveil this programmatic theme. The team behind the joy of Geppetto’s understands the developmental benefits of play and how literacy can shape the pathway to success for so many young people. Geppetto’s has become a community staple, has been a longtime friend of Words Alive, and now celebrates its 50th anniversary this month!

A Milestone for a San Diego Institution

For five decades, Geppetto’s has grown from a single shop in Old Town into a beloved network of nine neighborhood toy stores across San Diego County. When you walk into any of the store locations, you will sense right away that something is different. Owner Brian Miller is known for curating the inventory himself, even testing and playing with the toys he brings in to sell.

In an era of screens and algorithms, Geppetto’s offers toys and games specifically designed to teach and enhance connection with others. (SD Metro Magazine, 2013) Research has shown that sociodramatic play is influential in the development of emerging literacy skills. (Roskos, PhD, 2023)

A Legacy of “Playing It Forward”

Miller has shown what it means to lead with the community always in his heart. Geppetto’s has donated toys to children, local schools, and social service programs. (La Jolla Ledger, 2026) As a former member of the Words Alive Board of Directors, he brought his passion for youth development, family engagement, and community building directly to our mission. His leadership helped strengthen our efforts to deliver essential literacy programs to children, teens, and families across San Diego.

His commitment to literacy and child well-being is part of a lifetime of service, supporting local initiatives ranging from youth literacy to community health. This commitment is front and center now, as Geppetto’s 50th anniversary fundraiser pledges at least $50,000 to Rady Children’s Hospital.

Literacy and Play: The Ultimate Partnership

When a child learns to read, they are given the tools to imagine new worlds. When a child is given the space to play, they expand that opportunity to bring those worlds to life. Brian’s commitment to both literacy and play exemplifies the spirit of Play It Forward. Leaders like Brian create ripples of kindness and curiosity that stretch across generations.

Join Us in Congratulating Geppetto’s!

Please join the entire Words Alive family in congratulating Brian and Danielle Miller and the team at Geppetto’s Toy Store on 50 extraordinary years of bringing joy, learning, and play to San Diego families.

Visit the Geppetto’s Toy Store location at Seaport Village on Saturday, September 19, from 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. for surprises, giveaways, entertainment, and more.

Here’s to a half-century of magic and to many more years of playing, reading, and growing together!

References:

La Jolla Ledger. (2026, September 8). Geppetto's marks 50 years with La Jolla party, Rady donation. Retrieved from La Jolla Ledger: https://lajollaledger.com/articles/geppetto-s-marks-50-years-with-la-jolla-party-rady-donation-mtpq0c0u

Roskos, PHD, K. A. (2023, April). Play’s Potential in Early Literacy Development. Retrieved from Encylclopedia on Early Childhood Development: https://www.child-encyclopedia.com/play/according-experts/plays-potential-early-literacy-development

SD Metro Magazine. (2013, November 14). Geppetto’s Toys. Retrieved from San Diego Metro: https://www.sandiegometro.com/2013/11/cover-story-2/

Seaport Village. (n.d.). Geppetto's 50th Anniversary Celebration. Retrieved from Seaport Village: https://www.seaportvillage.com/events/geppettos-50th-anniversary-celebration

Meet Shannon, Our New Volunteer Engagement Manager

Written by hAYDEE YANEZ

Words Alive recently welcomed Shannon Neville (she/her) as our Volunteer Engagement Manager.

Shannon Neville

We’re excited to welcome Shannon to the Words Alive team as our new Volunteer Engagement Manager! With nearly two decades of experience building relationships and creating meaningful experiences, along with a deep commitment to community involvement, Shannon brings a passion for connection that makes her a wonderful addition to our team. After first discovering Words Alive as a volunteer, she’s now helping others find that same sense of purpose, belonging, and impact through volunteering.

Now, a few words from Shannon:

What drew you about Words Alive?

“After moving to San Diego, I was looking for ways to connect with my new community, and I found that connection through volunteering with Words Alive. When a position opened on the staff, it felt like joining a family. I’m so inspired by everyone on the team and their dedication to bringing the joy of reading to the San Diego community.”

What are you most excited about in this role?

“I’m most excited about building relationships with the incredibly dedicated team of volunteers here and working closely with our community partners.”

What is your relationship with literacy and learning?

“I was the kid in school who volunteered to work at the Scholastic Book Fair every year. At my fifth-grade culmination, the school librarian gave me a copy of The Boxcar Children that I had repeatedly checked out week after week throughout elementary school.

“I read for comfort. Later in my career, I spent a few years as the site leader for an extended-care program at an elementary school. There is absolutely nothing like seeing that ‘click’ in a child’s eyes as they learn to read and knowing that an entire world is opening up for them.

“As a parent, I put books in my kids’ cribs each night. Selfishly, it bought my husband and me a few more minutes of sleep, but it also instilled in our kids a love of reading and that thirst to learn.

“I’m so proud to be a part of this team that is working to provide books and literacy resources that help build family libraries and inspire that ‘click’ in kids throughout our community.”

What are you currently reading?

“I’m currently reading The Book of Lost Names by Kristin Harmel.”

Thank you, Shannon, for sharing more about your journey, your love of reading, and what drew you to Words Alive. We’re so excited to have you on the team and know that your passion for connection and community will make a wonderful impact on our volunteers and partners. Please join us in giving Shannon a warm Words Alive welcome—we’re so happy you’re here!

Play it Forward: Stories of Kindness

By Melinda Casey, Director of Learning and Engagement 

Compassion is a verb. 

— Thich Nhat Hanh 

Close your eyes for a second. Okay, keep reading, but pretend. 

Think of a time somebody did something small for you that you weren’t expecting. Somebody saved you a seat or caught the door for you before it swung shut. You got a handwritten note in the mail or a voice message from an old friend checking in.

Notice what your body's doing right now, remembering that. Chest a little warm? Maybe the back of your throat too? 

Scientists have a name for that. They call it elevation, and researchers at UCLA have watched it happen in thousands of people: warmth in the chest, goosebumps, sometimes tears, just from witnessing someone be kind to someone else. [1]

That's how fast kindness moves through a body. 

This year our theme is Play it Forward: Stories of Kindness, built on that same idea. Kindness ripples as a pebble dropped into water. 

Here's how far it travels. 

• Preschoolers who get more time for free play score higher on empathy and lower on disruptive behavior. Play is where kids first practice reading a room full of other people. [2]

• Kindness works the same way when kids practice it on purpose. Put nine- to eleven-year-olds through four weeks of doing three kind things a week, and by the end they're more accepted by their peers than kids who did something else entirely. [3]

• Teenagers show the same pattern. A seven-day, student-led, pay-it-forward kindness challenge, run by kids for kids with no adults involved, raised participants' happiness by a wide, statistically real margin. [4] 

The effect travels past the person you were kind to. Researchers studying cooperation in social networks found it spreads three degrees out: to your friend, to your friend's friend, to somebody you will never meet and never know you affected. [5] 

A kid being kind at recess today is doing something that reaches people they will never meet.  

Every year we ground our reading lists in one theme, and every program builds a full year of titles around it. Here are a few examples of what we have in store for young readers this year. 

Let's Read Family Literacy Program 

It's Okay to Be Different  by Todd Parr

Todd Parr states it plainly. Different color, different family, need glasses, need help, feel big feelings — it's all okay. This fun book gives families an easy way to name what makes them unique and treat it as ordinary. 

Figure 1: When I read this book aloud at trainings, I remind childcare workers to play and have fun along with the kiddos (and also how to say “Thank you, me!”) by patting ourselves on the back for being great readers.

Read Aloud Program 

Red: A Crayon's Story  by Michael Hall 

Red is a blue crayon wearing a red label, spending the whole book failing at being red. Everybody around him tries to fix that. One friend asks him what he can do instead. Paying attention helps him more than fixing ever did. 

Figure 2: Happy readers hold their new books high!

Book Group 

Hunger Action Heroes Unite!  developed by Feeding San Diego 

Our Book Group scholars at Valencia Park and Perry Elementary, in partnership with SAY San Diego, work with something literal this year: food insecurity in their own neighborhood. Hunger Action Heroes Unite! hands them something to do about it. Play shows up as the hands-on activities built into every session. Kindness shows up as an nine-year-old deciding she can help somebody now.  

Figure 3: The superheroes who help students learn about food justice through project-based learning.

To learn more about this special programming, visit https://hungeractionheroes.org.  

Every program's full reading list this year, Family Literacy, Read Aloud, and Book Group alike, carries the same idea in books built for different ages.  

Compassion is a verb, like Thich Nhat Hanh said, and a person who practices it starts a ripple: it reaches a friend, then a friend of that friend, then somebody we’ll never meet. 

I want to be a part of that ripple, and I want you to join me. Be part of the movement to make reading matter: become a volunteer at wordsalive.org/becomeavolunteer, or give the gift of reading at wordsalive.org/donate.  

Play it forward, y'all. 

References:

[1]  UCLA Bedari Kindness Institute. (2023). Is kindness contagious? UCLA Newsroom. 8,000 participants across 15 experiments. 

[2] Veiga, G., Neto, C., & Rieffe, C. (2016). Preschoolers' free play: Connections with emotional and social functioning. International Journal of Emotional Education, 8(1), 48-62. 

[3]  Layous, K., Nelson, S. K., Oberle, E., Schonert-Reichl, K. A., & Lyubomirsky, S. (2012). Kindness counts: Prompting prosocial behavior in preadolescents boosts peer acceptance and well-being. PLOS ONE, 7(12), e51380. 

[4] Hu, N., & Domb, L. (2024). Student-led kindness intervention boosts high school students' well-being. Journal of Student Research, 13(3). 

[5]  Fowler, J. H., & Christakis, N. A. (2010). Cooperative behavior cascades in human social networks. Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, 107(12), 5334-5338. 

Meet D’Jay Scott, Director of Development at Words Alive

Written by hAYDEE YANEZ

Words Alive recently welcomed D’Jay Scott (he/him) as our Director of Development Coordinator.

D’Jay Scott

D’Jay Scott is the Director of Development at Words Alive, where he leads fundraising and donor engagement efforts to build relationships and partnerships that strengthen the organization’s mission and impact.

With more than a decade of experience in nonprofit fundraising, program leadership, and community engagement, D’Jay brings a relationship-centered approach to his work. He is also passionate about youth development, having spent years coaching and mentoring student-athletes and helping young people build the confidence, skills, and support they need to thrive.

Now, a few words from D’Jay:

What drew you about Words Alive?

“As a father, I think a lot about the opportunities my own children have to learn, explore, and find their voices. I also recognize that not every child has equal access to those opportunities. At a time when literacy resources and support are facing real challenges, I was drawn to Words Alive’s commitment to creating access and opportunity for young people who need it most.”

What are you most excited about in this role?

“I’m excited to help more people understand why this work matters and find meaningful ways to be part of it. I’m passionate about connecting people and resources with opportunities that can make a lasting difference for young people and our community.”

What is your relationship with literacy and learning?

“Having my own children has made literacy and learning much more personal for me. I’ve seen how access to books, new ideas, and opportunities to explore can shape a child’s curiosity, confidence, and sense of possibility. My background in youth development has also strengthened my belief that literacy is more than a skill—it’s a tool that helps young people understand the world, advocate for themselves, and imagine what’s possible for their future.”

What are you currently reading?

“I’m currently reading The Four Agreements by Don Miguel Ruiz.”

Welcome, D’Jay — we are grateful to have your leadership as part of the Words Alive community.

Meet Haydeé

Written by Words alive team

Words Alive recently welcomed Haydeé Yanez (she/her) as our Interim Development Coordinator.

Haydeé Yanez aka Mexicons Art

Haydeé grew up in the border city of Tijuana, Mexico, where she was shaped by the richness, color, and creativity of life across both Californias. She studied graphic design at Universidad Iberoamericana and has since built a career designing and illustrating bilingual content — from hospitality materials to children’s books.

Alongside her professional work, Haydeé continues to develop her own line of cultural coloring books inspired by Mexican heritage, blending art, storytelling, and educational elements. In her free time, she enjoys watching classic films, reading nonfiction, and cooking with friends and family.

Now, a few words from Haydeé:

What drew you about Words Alive?

“I first became connected to Words Alive through my work as a children’s book designer and a Read Aloud school visit at Valencia Park Elementary School. I helped lead an activity with more than 200 students from pre-K through 2nd grade. We read together, answered questions, and explored how books are made behind the scenes.

I was so inspired by the experience — and especially by the Read Aloud Program — that I stayed in touch with the organization. When the opportunity came to join, I knew I wanted to be more involved.”

What are you most excited about in this role?

“Besides working alongside such amazing people and being surrounded by books, I’m excited to bring my design and content creation experience to help expand the reach of Words Alive’s mission — especially with children, families, and the broader community.”

What is your relationship with literacy and learning?

“I’ve been in publishing for the last decade, but I’ve always had a knack for reading. Growing up in Mexico in the 1980s, access to libraries and bookstores wasn’t very common, so when I received a book as a gift, I cherished it. I still have my childhood encyclopedia, Colibrí.

That early love of books led me into graphic design and editorial work in newspapers, magazines, and eventually bilingual children’s publishing. Today, I continue that journey through my own cultural coloring book projects that blend storytelling, learning, and elements like history, animals, and pop culture.”

What are you currently reading?

“I usually read two or three books at the same time, including Women Who Run with the Wolves and The Body Keeps the Score. The last book I finished was Communion by Bell Hooks — and I always recommend Just Kids by Patti Smith.”

Welcome, Haydeé — we are grateful to have your creativity and passion as part of the Words Alive community.

A Little Library, A Big Impact

Students at Design39Campus in the Poway Unified School District.

Sometimes, big community change starts with a group of curious 5th graders asking, "How can we help?"

That's exactly what happened when students at Design39Campus in the Poway Unified School District learned about book deserts in San Diego County, areas where children and families have limited access to books. After researching the issue, the students were inspired to take action and reached out to Words Alive to see how they could help bring more books into the hands of young readers.

What happened next was nothing short of inspiring…

The students raised an incredible $1,350 to support Words Alive's literacy programs and obtained a Little Free Library charter, determined to create a lasting impact in a community that could benefit from greater access to books.

Words Alive Family Program Manager Dr. Faryl Kander connected with the students and helped bring their vision to life. Together, they identified a location where the students' efforts could make a meaningful difference. Through a partnership with Episcopal Community Services (ECS), the Little Free Library found its new home at Harbison ECS Head Start in National City, located in ZIP code 91950, one of the book deserts the students had identified during their research.

Hand painted Little Library.

But this wasn't just any Little Free Library…

The students poured their creativity into the project, hand-painting the library with a playful Snoopy-inspired design that celebrates the joy of reading and imagination. Bright, welcoming, and full of personality, the library is sure to catch the eye of young readers and invite them to discover a new favorite book.

When installation day arrived, Words Alive Director of Learning & Engagement Melinda Casey, PMP, joined the students to bring their vision to life. She even brought along her trusted puppy companion, Lulu, who quickly became a favorite guest during the celebration. Together, students, parents, Melinda, and Lulu installed the Little Free Library and marked an exciting milestone for the community.

WA’s team member Melinda Casey with Lulu.

The students' generosity didn't stop there. They also created heartfelt Words of Inspiration cards filled with encouraging messages for young readers. Their notes celebrate reading, dreaming big, and believing in yourself, small messages with the power to make a big difference. The students also shared other handmade creations, many of which now brighten the Words Alive office and bring smiles to our team every day.

Words Alive recently had the privilege of spending time with these remarkable students and seeing firsthand the passion, thoughtfulness, and enthusiasm behind their project. Their commitment reminds us that age is no barrier to making a meaningful impact. They saw a need, rolled up their sleeves, and got to work creating a solution.

We are incredibly grateful to the students of Design39Campus for their partnership, creativity, and generosity. Thanks to their efforts, more children and families in National City will have access to books, opportunities to read together, and a welcoming place to discover new stories.

At Words Alive, we believe books can open doors, spark imagination, and change lives. Thanks to these amazing young changemakers and a little help from Snoopy and Lulu, even more children will have the opportunity to experience that magic.

Meet Frida, Words Alive’s May Intern of the Month

by Haydee Yanez, Development Coordinator

Words Alive is excited to recognize Frida Salazar as our May Intern of the Month!

Frida is an 11th-grade student at High-Tech High, an innovative network of charter schools founded in 2000 by a coalition of San Diego civic leaders and educators. What began as a single public charter school serving approximately 450 students has grown into a network of 16 schools serving more than 6,000 students across four campuses. High-Tech High also includes a Teacher Credentialing Program and Graduate School of Education that supports educators locally and around the world.

Words Alive has proudly partnered with the High-Tech High community on projects such as the Adolescent Book Group and student-created exhibits like Covid Diaries. Through these collaborations, both organizations continue working toward a shared mission of inspiring literacy, creativity, and community connection.

Learn more about the Adolescent Book Group here!

Now, a few words from FRIDA:

How did you first join Words Alive?

“I officially joined Words Alive on May 4, but I first reached out in late April while looking for an internship for school. I wanted to find something that matched my interests, and since I’ve always loved reading, this felt like a really good fit. Someone recommended Words Alive to me because they knew I liked books, and honestly, just looking through the website made me think it seemed super interesting already.”

What kinds of projects have you worked on so far?

“So far, I’ve mostly been helping format classroom guide documents, which are basically step-by-step guides for people reading books with kids. I’ve also worked on smaller projects here and there, like adding watermarks to learning kits and helping when other interns come into the office. I still feel new, but I’m excited to keep doing more!”

Did you have a favorite book growing up?

La peor señora del mundo by Francisco Hinojosa

“One book that REALLY got me into reading was La peor señora del mundo. Something about the scratchy illustrations and the super exaggerated dialogue completely fascinated me as a kid — even if it was a little scary at the time. Every single time we went to the library

in Tijuana, I would ask to read that exact book again. Sometimes I’d pick out another one too, but that was always my main goal.

I think that book also started my love for darker and more unusual stories. I kept reading books with that kind of vibe until around middle school, when I got more into artsy literature. One of my favorite memories is my parents reading La peor señora del mundo out loud and making the main character sound WAY scarier than she was.”

What are you currently reading?

“Right now, I’m on-and-off reading Please Kill Me: The Uncensored Oral History of Punk. It’s super interesting because it talks about punk culture in the ’60s and ’70s entirely through interviews with musicians and artists. Some of the people mentioned are famous, and some completely caught me off guard — like Andy Warhol showing up way more than I expected.

I’d recommend it if you’re interested in music history or punk culture, but fair warning: it has a lot of colorful language and some intense stories. Honestly, I usually say my favorite book is whatever book I’m currently reading, so I’m always looking for something new and weird to pick up next.”

What do you enjoy outside of Words Alive?

“Outside of Words Alive, I like photography, drawing digitally for fun, and writing little stories for myself whenever I’m bored and can’t find anything else to do.”

Meet Julie

by Oli Loeffler, Development Coordinator

Words Alive recently welcomed Julie Ramos Oser (she/her) as a Program Coordinator supporting our Read Aloud and Adolescent Book Group programs across San Diego.

Julie grew up in Chula Vista, California, and earned her Bachelor of Science degree in Business Administration from the University of California, Riverside. After graduation, she returned home to San Diego with a clear goal: to make a positive difference in her community. Over the past three years, she has worked in youth-centered nonprofit spaces, including the San Diego Youth Symphony and the Fleet Science Center, where she cultivated a deep commitment to uplifting young people through meaningful, engaging experiences.

Julie is passionate about creating environments that center belonging, play, learning, and connection. Outside of work, she enjoys reading, making art, spending time in nature, and diving into her curiosity about evolutionary biology.

Now, a few words from Julie:

What excites you about working with Words Alive?

What first drew me to Words Alive was the mission. I’m obsessed with books and reading has brought so much comfort, connection, and perspective into my life. I’ve always felt that my calling and purpose in life is to better the lives of young people, so combining that passion with literacy felt like a natural fit.

After being here for a few months, I’m continually inspired by the deep care that the Words Alive community brings to our work. It’s undeniable how much intention and heart our staff and volunteers put into creating programming that is joyful, empowering, and personal for young readers. Being part of that energy is incredibly motivating, and it gives me a lot of hope.

What surprised you about Words Alive?

Our organizational model has definitely been the biggest surprise to me. So much of what we do is powered by volunteers and community members, which is both rare and refreshing to see! As a community organizer, I’m inspired by the way volunteers, partners, teachers, youth, and families all come together to move this literacy movement forward.

There is something powerful about work being guided by the very people it serves. I feel grateful that I get to support this network of passionate community members by providing the resources, structure, and connection they need to create real change.

What do you like most about being a Program Coordinator?

Outside of being around volunteers, young readers, and the community, I’ve become obsessed with operations. I love the strategic, and sacred, process of transforming conceptual ideas and the moving pieces of our program into something physical that goes out into the hands of young readers, which is where our work with groups at weekly Where the Wild Books Are gatherings or our partnership days with organizations like iJuntos comes in. Seeing books and learning materials come together through teamwork, laughter, and music creates a spiritual feeling, combined with a tsunami of productivity that’s hard to capture in words! It’s incredibly fulfilling to carry that process from start to finish.

What books do you recommend?

The Broken Earth trilogy by N.K. Jemisin

That’s a tough question, but I would have to say The Broken Earth trilogy by N. K. Jemisin. Jemisin is an extraordinary storyteller. Her writing is imaginative and layered, with complex characters, rich world-building, and exhilaratingly unexpected twists. The series thoughtfully weaves in themes of systemic racism, environmental responsibility, and queer relationships in ways that are both powerful and deeply moving. It represents exactly what I love about speculative fiction.

Meet Lilliana and Diana, Words Alive’s March Volunteer(s) of the Month!

by Oli Loeffler, Development Coordinator

Words Alive is excited to recognize Lilliana Gutierrez and Diana Alvarez as our March Volunteers of the Month! Lilliana and Diana are Community Inclusion Professionals with The Arc of San Diego, an organization dedicated to supporting and empowering people with disabilities to achieve their life goals. Through their work, they regularly bring their clients to our Where the Wild Books Are service events, creating meaningful opportunities for connection, teamwork, and community engagement.

Ready to check out our Where the Wild Books Are service events? New dates have just been posted. Check out our upcoming dates here!

Lilliana first discovered Words Alive through a coworker while searching for a volunteer site for her clients. “I came to look at it and figured [that] if they liked it, we would stay — and they did!” she shared. Diana had a similar introduction. “A former coworker volunteered here and told me about it. I thought it would be perfect for my group, and so far they love it.”

Since then, their groups have become a consistent and joyful presence at our volunteer events. Together, they’ve supported projects like building learning kits for young readers in our Family Literacy Program.

Lilliana and Diana at the Words Alive office.

For Lilliana, one of the most meaningful parts of volunteering is the teamwork. “I like it when we get to work as a team. We do a lot of teamwork here, and I love that.” Diana shared that some of her favorite moments come when she sees her clients step into their independence. “I like when my clients get in a rhythm and you can tell they’re excited that they’re doing it on their own.”

“We take our groups out into the community so they can learn social skills and work toward their goals,” Diana explained. “We’re there to support them, but they’re the ones doing it.” At Words Alive, that mission comes to life through shared space. “I like how open it is,” Lilliana said. “We can bring people along, meet other groups, and the clients get to socialize. I love that.” Diana also highlighted the welcoming environment. “The staff are very patient and always willing to help. If something is a little too difficult, they find another activity so the clients can still be successful. They’re happy working on the activities.”

When asked what they would say to someone considering volunteering with Words Alive, Diana didn’t hesitate: “It’s a great site. There’s something for everyone, and people really care.”

BOOK FAQ

Did you have a favorite book growing up, or one that had a big impact on you?

Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen

Lilliana shared that “In high school I read a couple books by Ellen Hopkin titled Crank and Glass. I loved the way [they were] written, it's more a poetic style. It’s a story about high schoolers dropping out [which] was interesting.”

Diana recalled reading Pride and Prejudice in a single day. “I loved it,” she said. She also shared her appreciation for Fried Green Tomatoes, adding that the book stands out even more than the film adaptation.

Do you have a special memory of reading with a caring adult?

For Lilliana, “Maybe around elementary school when we had those reading groups and a volunteer would come and we would read it together. It was just like you all do here, and they would give us books too!”

While Diana reflected on early school days like Lilliana, a different kind of moment stuck out to her, “I think it was more when my children would read to me when they liked a book and wanted to share it.”

What are you currently reading, or what would you recommend?

Lilliana is currently reading The 48 Laws of Power by Robert Greene, while Diana shared that her reading list is always growing, “I read a lot on my Kindle, but I also have a stack of books at home my daughter wants me to read.”

Meet Connie, Words Alive's February Volunteer of the Month!

by Robyn Grand, Community Engagement Manager

Words Alive is thrilled to celebrate Connie M as our February Volunteer of the Month! Connie found her way to Words Alive after retiring from a 32-year career as a deputy public defender. Her friend invited her to attend one of Words Alive’s Where the Wild Books Are service events at our office in the East Village.

“Why don’t I just hitch a ride?” Connie thought, “I went with her and I just loved the whole idea, the people. It really touched my heart.”

Ready to check out our Where the Wild Books Are service events? New dates have just been posted. Check out our upcoming dates here!

In addition to attending Where the Wild Books Are, Connie has supported other special projects for the Family Literacy Program at Words Alive.

Family Literacy Program participants read Dragons Love Tacos together.

“I was at Where the Wild Books Are discovering all the fun books that never existed when I was a kid, I was floored at how thoughtful they were!” While at the event, Connie connected with Maria Mariscal, one of the Family Literacy Program Coordinators at Words Alive. “I speak Spanish as well, and I saw the books were in English and the resource packets were in Spanish. In my conversations with Maria, she asked if I would be interested in contacting families and I said I would love that! I got involved with calling families ahead of sessions and then I got involved in interviewing Spanish, Creole, and English-speaking families who completed the program. I just enjoyed that so much! It really hit home for me.”

“This program not only exposes the kids, but opens the parents’ eyes to other ways of reading. The creativeness. Just how excited the parents are! I can see that. I mean their worlds are opening when they see the teachers teach. The fact that they can appreciate that they didn’t know these books existed! I grew up in a very humble household, my parents had to learn English, so I could just relate to their excitement. What a book did, what a world it opens and how much they appreciate it and that for me was important because it brought it all back home to me how excited I would get and how my parents would get when books were donated.”

If you’re considering volunteering with Words Alive for the first time, Connie says you should, “Just jump in! You’ll be surprised at what’s out there, this resource for kids and families who really wouldn’t have this available to them do because of Words Alive. It’s magic!”

 Book FAQ

Did you have a favorite book growing up, or is there a book that has had a big impact on you?

The World Book Encyclopedia

“Growing up we really didn’t have money for books, but my father really appreciated books. He invested in The World Book Encyclopedia. To me, that was my first exposure to books. They were so beautiful with the cream colored leather, the gold inseams, I’ve never seen anything so elegant. We loved pulling them out and seeing the pictures.

Germinal by Émile Zola

Later my father would give us a quarter if we read a book. He found someone who gave us a set of Anne of Green Gables so that was the first series of things that I read for money, but I was so captivated by Anne and her adventures.

Now I’m a very eclectic reader. I love thrillers like le Carré. I just finished Germinal by Émile Zola.”

Do you have a special memory of reading with your children when they were young?

“We read to them always, since they were babies. To the Moon and Back by Sam McBratney and Chicka Chicka Boom Boom by Bill Martin Jr. were their favorites. All of our books were on repeat, and we did a lot of invented stories. It was just part of our ritual to wind down. It was great, we have good memories.”

The Covenant of Water by Abraham Verghese.

What are you currently reading, or do you have a favorite book to recommend to others?

“The Covenant of Water by Abraham Verghese. It was so good!”