Katie Rider submitted this article and photo.
Odell Public Library is excited to introduce “Discovery Book Packs” (DBPs) to families with young learners. Discovery packs are themed book bundles, designed to help busy families check out quality, high-interest, children’s materials that actively encourage reading, writing, and play. Each DPB includes five-to-seven books on the given theme, one non-electronic toy or manipulative, and a set of literacy tips and activities. It is all packaged in an easy-to-grab backpack, perfect for kids who want to feel independent and their grownups who want good books in a hurry.
Odell currently offers seven themed bags: Construction, Things That Go, ABCs, Colors, Cats, Dogs, and Bedtime. The Dog DBP offers six books, two nonfiction and four fiction titles, all featuring dogs. It includes a doggy hand puppet. The ABC bag offers five engaging alphabet books and a magnetic tracing board with uppercase and lowercase letters.
Bags were designed with preschoolers in mind, but are also appealing to toddlers and early elementary learners. Check them out for two-week periods. They are available through curbside pickup or by appointment.
The book packs were initiated and developed by staff member Katie Rider, after receiving a “Back to Books” grant from the Illinois State Library. The Morrison Area Community Foundation (MACF) also generously contributed to the project.
“The Back to Books grant dollars can only be used toward books,” stated Rider, “so the additional funding from MACF was critical in purchasing backpacks, labels, and educational toys and manipulatives. When we first started thinking about this project, we thought we might be able to put together about five bags. Now we are aiming for 25! I am so excited to see these packs go out in the community–especially while families are hunkered down during the COVID-19 pandemic.”
Rider surveyed local educators and daycare providers for input on additional topics. The community can expect to see more bags in the coming months on subjects like Farms, Insects, Dinosaurs, and Feelings.
Odell Public Library is currently open, with modified hours, for appointments and curbside pickup during the pandemic. For more information, visit Odell at www.odellpubliclibrary.com or through Facebook or Instagram.
