I remember with such fondness the first book that had an impression on me, it was Richard Scarry’s “Best Word Book Ever” and as a toddler, I loved, to the point of memorization and perhaps the annoyance of my parents, the two-page spread on birds. A few years later, my obsession turned to “Charlotte’s Web,” and then to the “Choose Your Own Adventure” series.
There are still moments, four decades later, where those early pages show up in my life, such as the way birdwatching saved me from debilitating boredom during the pandemic lockdown; how exposure to the complicated rhythm of life and death has helped me process grief, and how the sense of possibility I glean from knowing there are multiple paths one can take has helped me break free from times I’ve felt stuck.
Together, we have the opportunity to give the gift of books to 3,000 young readers during our Spring Member Drive.
VTDigger is partnering with Vermont’s Children’s Literacy Foundation to send one new book for every member contribution we receive.
Literacy and a love of reading are gifts we can give that will last a lifetime. Literacy is critical for so many reasons, but right now, what’s on my mind is how important education and information are to a functioning democracy. We need readers of all ages, curious and hungry for knowledge, to build our state and nation’s future, using facts, truth, and sound reasoning and research when they head to the polls.
When you support VTDigger during this member drive, you’re not only supporting an informed electorate by standing up independent journalism, you’re supporting the next generation of voters and elected officials. Our future leaders will be better off for being able to read, comprehend and educate themselves, all of which requires being able to access the world of written knowledge.
Thank you for making local journalism possible — and thank you for putting a brand-new book on the shelf of a young Vermonter this Spring.
Sincerely,
Sky Barsch
CEO, VTDigger
