Books for Kindergartners 2002- I is for Iowa

In the spring of 2002, Christie Vilsack gave a paperback coverversion of the alphabet book I is for Iowa to every kindergartner in the state. Mary Ann Gensicke wrote the book, and Lonna Nachtigal illustrated it. Iowa State Press published this special edition that highlights the people, places, events, and products unique to Iowa.

In 2003, with the help of Iowa’s Area Education Agencies and volunteer organizations, Mrs. Vilsack will provide to Iowa’s 40,000 kindergartners a paperback version of Iowa author Susan Knapp’s Bells Goes to the Fair. The book is a tale based on an actual incident when Bells, the Knapps’ golden retriever, got away from them during their stay at the Iowa State Fair and went off on a day-long adventure on the fairgrounds. What makes Bells Goes to the Fair so different from other children’s stories is that each of John Whitehurst’s illustrations is accompanied by text that is on two levels—one for beginning readers and one for more advanced early readers.

Mrs. Vilsack will visit schools in the various Area Education Areas in May to distribute the books and talk about the importance of reading with children.

Making Iowa the best state in the nation to get an education is a primary goal of the Vilsack-Pederson administration. The Vilsacks want to help parents become their children’s first and best teachers. By giving this book in the spring when children and their parents are excited about the idea of the coming summer months, Mrs. Vilsack hopes to encourage family literacy and reading when school is not in session.

A packet accompanying the book will include information about the Iowa State Fair, handouts that encourage visits to local public libraries, and information specially prepared by the Department of Cultural Affairs.

As part of her statewide literacy initiative, Iowa Stories 2000, Mrs. Vilsack will raise approximately $200,000 from non-profits, for-profits, and government agencies to pay for the publishing and distribution of the books. She is hoping to find a sponsoring organization or corporation that will continue to sponsor this program on an annual basis.