Literary "convoy" entices young readers

Any kid can have a bookmobile come through his or her neighborhood. But in Annapolis, Maryland, kids last month were treated to what Tyler Heights Elementary School staff called a bookmobile/bookmocycle — a Honda Accord with a trunk full of children's books that was led by a Harley Davidson motorcycle.

It is no wonder that a group led by Tyler Heights librarian Paula Borinsky Hendry and second-grade teacher Matt Schlegel gave away about 1,000 books to Annapolis-area youngsters during July. Schlegel got kids' attention by roaring through their neighborhoods on his Harley. As children approached to check out the literary convoy, Hendry gave each of them two books, some donated, some brand new.

The move is part of Hendry's efforts to make sure that Annapolis-area children not only develop reading skills at an early age but continue to pick up books during the busy summer months. She intends to follow the summer reading initiative with what she calls Parent/Toddler University. Read more in The Baltimore Sun online.