Books For Keeps: 2024-2025 School Year

BOOKS FOR KEEPS: 2024-2025 SCHOOL YEAR!

RIF NOVA's primary activity is our Books for Keeps program -- to provide new books for 20,000+ children at over 30 schools and sites in the City of Alexandria and in Arlington, Fairfax, and Prince William counties. Books are distributed by school liaisons at book celebrations throughout the school year. Distributions for academic year 2024-2025 began in September 2024. Below, please find photos as they are added from throughout the school year.

"Spring into Summer Books" at Crestwood -- May 19-23, 2025

What does summer mean? When does it start? How does it differ from other seasons? First graders at Crestwood Elementary School in Fairfax County watched a video about summer and then librarian and RIF NOVA liaison Vicki Spino gave them a fun quiz about what they had learned. (They did well!) Then it was time to pick a RIF NOVA book for keeps to enjoy over the summer. Some picked picture books. Others picked early readers or chapter books. That was followed by coloring and cutting paper "crazy" glasses, which some students were more than delighted to model.

*********************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************

"Start Your Summer with a Good Book" at John Adams -- May 19-23, 2025

With the theme, "Start Your Summer with a Good Book," children at John Adams Elementary School in Alexandria had a ball picking two new books to take home for the summer, thanks to a RIF/RIF NOVA matching grant! As part of the distribution, some of the children drew pictures of where they plan to read their books over the summer, with under a tree and at the beach coming in as favorites! The children also explored bugs and rocks, built LEGO creations, assembled snap circuit boards, and enjoyed getting started on their brand new forever books! So many fun activities to inspire summer reading thanks to librarian and RIF NOVA liaison Heidi LaPlace.

"Hatching Readers" at Polk Elementary -- May 5-9 2025

Polk Elementary School students did not even realize they were learning about sound during their May RIF NOVA book distribution -- "Hatching Readers." After listening to a book about how sounds are made, they made "chickens" with cups, string, sponges, and pencils to create chicken faces! As the children pulled their strings against the sponges, chicken sounds emerged, and the joy of squawking could be heard throughout the library, followed by the excitement of picking new books! Thanks to RIF NOVA co-liaisons Catie Brownback and Kathy Harrington and especially librarian Mark Tierney -- who created a video capturing the creativity of a distribution that blended STEM, arts and crafts, books, and fun! Click here or on any of the Polk pictures for that!

"Books & Butterflies...Both Beautiful" at Woodley Hills ES -- April 28-May 2, 2025

After reading books about butterflies during their library time the week before their book distribution, the time came for the real event -- book picking and butterfly making! As the children entered the library through doors festooned with butterflies, they found tables of books and could pick two books each, thanks to a national RIF/RIF NOVA matching grant. One child asked, "Did you really buy all those books for us?" (Yes!) Then it was on to three creation centers, where the kids could make butterfiles out of modeling clay, LEGO blocks, or by coloring a butterfly using pastel crayons. So much imagination and joy was on display, thanks to librarian Jill Connors and some very creative children!

A Special Guest at ACCA's Spring Distribution -- April 18, 2025

Fairfax County's Mason District Supervisor Andres Jimenez was a guest reader at the ACCA spring RIF NOVA book distribution. The interactions were priceless about animals and colors as Supervisor Jimenez read The Mixed-Up Chameleon by Eric Carle to assembled three- and four-year-olds! For another class, the Superviser read The Greedy Python, also by Eric Carle. Then, at one student's very (very!) eager special request, he read The Duckling Gets a Cookie by Mo Willems. Hugs abounded in appreciation for this special guest reader.

ACCA is one of four RIF NOVA-supported schools and sites in Mason District. Such a treat to have this important guest during a special book distribution day. Each child was able to choose TWO books for keeps, thanks to a national RIF/RIF NOVA matching grant! As he picked his two books, one child said, wow, then wow, and then WOW again! Reading began in earnest as the children picked their new books. There was an egg hunt, too, where the "egg-citement" was over the top!

A Special "Bookmobile" at Lynbrook ES -- April 10 & 11, 2025

Lynbrook Elementary School students got their pre-spring break books via special delivery -- from a "bookmobile!" Librarian and RIF NOVA liaison Jessica Bombardier arranged books on bookmobile carts and went classroom to classroom to deliver them. The idea was to make sure the children knew the difference between the books they could choose to keep forever and library books, which they have to return. Thanks to a national RIF/RIF NOVA matching grant, 1,200 books -- TWO books each -- were distributed to the Leprechauns of Lynbrook, with choices ranging from nonfiction and chapter books, picture books, graphic novels. The update from Jessica is that many students read their new books over the break and loved them! (Music to our ears!!!)

"Spring into Books" at Bailey's Elementary School -- April 7-11, 2025

Against a backdrop of blooming cherry trees, children at Bailey's Elementary chose their "Spring into Books" pre-spring break books to keep. Laura Culver, librarian and RIF NOVA liaison, created a magical pink aura in the library for the school's Pre-K through 2nd grade students.

The children were thrilled when told that they could choose TWO new books, thanks to a national RIF/RIF NOVA matching grant! After inscribing their name in the books, they had the opportunity to color in a new blossom on a hand-painted bare branches cherry tree poster. Then they had a choice of making paper butterflies, coloring spring pages, or playing a spring memory match game on the smart board. Lots of excitement was in the air with the emerging spring season paired with the thrill of new books!

"Reading Under the Stars" at Hutchison ES -- April 7-11, 2025

The theme for Hutchison’s distribution was “Reading Under the Stars.” New librarian and RIF NOVA liaison at this Fairfax County school, Peggy Harding, accomplished this by hanging pictures of night skies, planets, and stars over the darkened reading corner. Each child was given a flashlight to illuminate the pages of their brand new book to keep. Some were tempted to hold the light under their chin for a spooky effect, but all were still reading and had fun doing it. The display of books was extensive, and all found a book that they were really excited about taking home. It was a great "celestial" experience for all!

Week of the Young Child at Seven Corners Center -- April 7-11, 2025

The little ones at Seven Corners Children’s Center were so excited when they saw the attractive display of new picture books. It was a special week -- Week of the Young Child -- and every day had a specific theme: Tasty Tuesday, Favorite Hat Day, Wear Red Day, or Pajama Day. The National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC) sets the week as a time for recognizing the importance of early childhood education and celebrating young children, their families, and educators.

Class by class, the children carefully perused the displayed books and were thrilled to learn that they could choose TWO Books to bring home and keep forever, thanks to a national RIF/RIF NOVA matching grant! Even the toddlers were able to choose and hold their new books while their names were inscribed. It was a very special day for all!!

Be Our Guest at Carlin Springs Elementary -- April 7-11, 2025

The week before spring 2025's break was RIF NOVA distribution week for the students at Carlin Springs Elementary School in Arlington. Librarian and RIF NOVA liaison Holly NIsco invited guest readers to share a favorite story and then students got to pick out a special book to take home for keeps. Guest readers included parents, teachers, and even the nephew of school principal, Carmen De La Cruz Scales!

Students got to hear wonderful stories such as I Am One, where they learned and discussed how one small gesture can make a big difference. A reading of Creepy Pair of Underwear made them laugh out loud, as did Alexander and the Terrible, Horrible, No Good, Very Bad Day -- always a favorite. Kids then decorated a bookmark to either keep or to leave in the library to spread joy to other students. Many of them could not wait to start reading on the library's comfy chairs!

Whodunit? at Kenmore Middle School -- April 7 & 8, 2025

The mystery book

Kenmore Middle School 6th graders had a chance to solve a mystery during their spring book distribution. Librarian and RIF NOVA liaison, Emily Godfrey engaged the students in a clever activity using the book The Eleventh Hour by Graeme Base. Emily read the students the book, then gave each team a copy to read more closely. The kids had to figure out an incredibly complex mystery using their sleuthing skills, close reading skills, and context clues to figure out which suspect committed the crime.

The final puzzle

Once they figured that out, they had to solve a puzzle as their final step. The students were engaged and seriously collaborated to figure out the answer and were extremely proud of themselves when they did! Thanks to a national RIF/RIF NOVA matching grant, each student was gifted two books from a great selection of new books to keep forever!

"It's No Joke...We Love a Good Book!" at Innovation ES -- April 1-4, 2025

April 1 was the first day of a four-day book distribution -- "It’s No Joke…We Love a Good Book!" -- at Innovation Elementary in Prince William County. There, liaisons Donna Garzione (l) and Gina Centamore (r, above) welcomed classes as they entered, and Mrs. Centamore shared a quick talk about April Fool’s Day, its origins, and some famous pranks throughout the years.

Each class then brainstormed and agreed on a class riddle or joke they would write and illustrate for a school-wide exhibit. Laughter rang out as the children shared their jokes and then excitedly browsed a supply of books obtained through a generous grant from the Giving Circle of Heritage Hunt. Then, each reader got to choose two books to keep forever!

"Animals in the Spring" at Arlington's Teen Parenting Program -- March 20, 2025

Infants through four-year-olds started their Animals in the Spring book distribution with, what else? Some relevant animal songs and games! Rousing choruses of Old MacDonald Had a Farm and the Eensy Weensy Spider led to a round-the-room parade during which the children could hop like a kangaroo, roar like a lion, stomp like an elephant, and waddle like a penguin! An energetic game of duck, duck, goose led to giggles and fun all around. Each child could choose two books of their very own. Thanks to RIF NOVA liaison Nicole Boatwright, parents, and the Teen Parenting team for leading this special fun-with-animals book distribution.

"Love of Reading" at Dumfries Elementary School -- February 14, 2025

Dumfries Elementary School (PWC) children got a Valentine's Day gift they will long remember! Thanks to reading specialist and NOVA RIF liaison Emily Decarolis, the children were able to choose a book of their very own before a long weekend. With hearts and pink and red decorations on full display, children in all grades were able to peruse tables of books with reading options for everyone. The smiles say it all!

Happy Holidays at Bailey's Elementary School for the Arts and Sciences -- December 17-20, 2024

The joint was jumpin' -- literally -- as Pre-K through 2nd grade children from Bailey's Elementary School danced into the holidays to a video exhorting them to duck and jump! Finding the snowflake on the white board added to the fun! The faces tell the story of this pre-break fun-fest with a new RIF NOVA book, thanks to librarian and RIF NOVA liaison Laura Culver!

"Snowmen at Work" at Bel Air ES -- December 17-20, 2024

Credit -- Publisher: Dial Books; Author: Caralyn Buehner; Illustrator: Mark Buehner

The book Snowmen at Work was the inspiration for this pre-holiday RIF NOVA book distribution at Bel Air Elementary School in Prince William County. Librarian and RIF NOVA liaison Clifton Palmer read the book about a little boy who imagines the jobs snowmen might have. The students then cut out their own snow person, adding a title and hat to describe what their snow person might do! The finished products featured snow bakers, snow cowboys, snow mechanics, and more!

Books + Community Service at Swanson MS -- December 18, 2024

Swanson Middle School's English Language Learners had their RIF NOVA distribution on December 18. Each 6th, 7th, and 8th grade student in this program got to choose up to three books for keeps -- one graphic novel (always a favorite) and two others. Prior to choosing books, the students did a community service project, making special bookmarks to be sent to local Arlington elementary schools. Students worked hard to put their personal touches on each bookmark! One bookmark read, "A book is a gift you can open again and again." So true! Thanks to Jen Stacy, librarian and RIF NOVA liaison, for organizing!

A Holiday "Surprise" at Kenmore -- December 18, 2024

Multiple 6th grade classes at Kenmore Middle School joined together in the library on December 18 for a festive and lively RIF NOVA book distribution -- and much more! Each student could choose a brand new book to take home -- either by picking an unwrapped book from the table or by choosing to take a chance on a wrapped "surprise" book! Many kids took a chance on the surprise and were not disappointed with what they received. Students could then engage in a range of additional activities, including making a bookmark, watching a movie, coloring a snowflake, or designing a button which Emily Godfrey, librarian and RIF NOVA liaison, turned into a wearable button! Instructional assistant Jeanette Hall calligraphed names in the new books for those who wanted a special touch!

"Warm Up to a Good Book" at Yorkshire Elementary
-- December 16-17, 2024

Just before the December break, Yorkshire students literally warmed up to a good book. After picking up a cup of cocoa and sipping with classmates at close-by tables, each student had an opportunity to find that one perfect book for keeping and winter break reading.

Liaison Bethany Drake and her team made smiles appear as cocoa cups were filled, candy canes were distributed, and books appeared for the choosing, along with the chance to write one's name in a brand new book!

A Gingerbread Man Extravaganza at Barcroft ES -- December 16-17, 2024

A bigger-than-life-sized gingerbread man greeted Barcroft ES students as they chose RIF NOVA books before the winter holiday. A cleverly decorated bulletin board exhorted them to "Read Read as Much as You Can; Get a Book Before the Gingerbread Man!"

Children could affix their favorite book title on a gingerbread man cutout, do related word searches, and pose for group shots with the library team! A couple of gingerbread man books added to the fun! Special thanks to librarian and RIF NOVA liaison Jackie Pippins and library assistant Daniela Londono for adding the sugar and spice to this December program.

"Blizzard of Books" at Drew Elementary -- December 13, 2024

For three weeks before distribution day, Charles E. Drew Elementary students studied everything snow during their library time -- starting with reading Snowflake Bentley, a book about the first known photographer of snowflakes. Older children made friendship snowflakes, writing messages of friendship on each "arm" of the snowflakes before cutting them out and assembling the three-dimensional flakes. Younger children made snow cutouts or colored images of snow people. Finally, it was time for the Blizzard of Books -- complete with Frozen's Elsa, a snow machine, a "roaring" fire, and a new RIF NOVA book for every child! Special thanks to RIF NOVA liaison and board member Dora Sue Black (AKA Elsa) for creating this annual one-of-a-kind distribution to create excitement about reading and introduce Drew children to snow and the holidays.

"Books Take Us Places" at John Adams ES -- December 10-13, 2024

"Build a place you would like a book to take you" said a note on the whiteboard during the December RIF NOVA book distribution at John Adams Elementary in Alexandria. At three stations in the library, children could build a destination from LEGOs or draw a place they'd like to go. These fifth graders had great fun imagining their travel plans and picking their new RIF NOVA book for the holidays. Thanks to librarian and RIF NOVA liaison Heidi LaPlace for setting up the fun.

"Those Darn Squirrels" at Potomac View ES -- December 2-5, 2024

Credit -- Publisher: HarperCollins; Author Adam Rubin, Illustrator Daniel Salmieri

A reading of Those Darn Squirrels had the children of Potomac View Elementary in stitches as they gathered under a tree festooned with hanging birdfeeders and birds! The story by Adam Rubin and illustrator Daniel Salmieri tells what happens when a grumpy old man (who loves birds but not squirrels) tries to match with those mischievous squirrels -- with hilarious results.

The children entered the library making bird and what they imagined to be squirrel sounds. Then, as librarian Kevin Rock held up cue cards and reading specialist and RIF NOVA liaison Debbie Crawn read the story, the kids yelled out some of the book's phrases with great gusto: "I hate puppies!" "I hate pie!" "Dun, Dun, Dunnn!" "Thhbbtz!" and "Those darn squirrels!"

Using their spatial skills, the kids then set up dominoes to try to knock cutouts of squirrels off their tables! How far away did each domino have to be to knock the next one down? Was a straight domino line better or a curved one? What a clever RIF NOVA book distribution for children at this Prince William County school -- complete with a brand new book to take home for keeps!

Fairfax County Public Schools Early Learning Programs -- November 2024

Many young children participating in PreK & Early Head Start, Early & Family Literacy Programs in Fairfax County Public Schools were very thankful for the RIF NOVA books they picked out at November family breakfasts. This FCPS program serves over 2700 children in 60 programs located across the county. After a family breakfast, parents were able to participate in the children's book selections, followed by reading with their children. Clifford the Big Red Dog dropped by several sites to add to the excitement. At all sites, the possession of a new book produced smiles as these children are growing up loving books and stories. Special thanks to RIF NOVA liaison Sharon Goldman for coordinating books for these deserving children!

Thankful for Books at Bel Air Elementary -- November 7-12, 2024

Thanksgiving came early for students at Bel Air Elementary School in Prince William County, thanks to librarian and RIF NOVA liaison Clifton Palmer. As they picked out a books-for-keeps book of their choice, the children colored a turkey -- in every color of the rainbow! It was a Thanksgiving celebration complete with a brand new book to read and reread over the holiday break!

Fiction vs. Nonfiction -- Let the Voters Decide!
Sinclair Elementary -- November 6-8, 2024

What is a fiction story? What does nonfiction mean? Students at Sinclair Elementary School in Manassas (PWC) learned to better understand the difference during their November RIF NOVA book distribution. A brightly decorated autumn-themed classroom invited students to "Fall into Reading," while they discussed what kind of books they preferred.

RIF NOVA liaison and teacher Dawn Pell welcomed each class by asking students to define and then vote for their favorite type of book -- fiction or nonfiction. Each child wrote their name and preferred category on a colorful fall leaf and posted it to the class's tree chart. Once all the leaves were attached to the chart, the numbers were tallied and noted on the schoolwide tally board. At the end of the week, the vote was announced. Fiction won, but it was close...279 to 255!

The kids were also given leaf sheets to color with the challenge to use five different colors without having the same colors touch! And then it was time to choose a new, take-home-for-keeps book, along with a reading-themed pencil to add to the fall fun!

Halloween Happiness at ACCA -- October 31, 2024

Halloween just would not be Halloween without the RIF NOVA book distribution at the ACCA Child Development Center. Teachers, parents, grandparents, and children get in on the act with costumes and a Halloween parade. As a special part of the tradition, RIF NOVA board member Chris McLaughlin sports her witch finery to read a not-so-spooky story to wide-eyed children who are beyond excited! Then it's time for school-wide trick-or-treating and book picking -- a definite treat!

Arlington's Teen Parenting Fall Festival -- October 30, 2024

The weather was perfect for a fall festival and Halloween celebration at Arlington's Teen Parenting program, which included a moon bounce, a "hay ride," pumpkin painting, and apple picking. Some of RIF NOVA's youngest friends, all dressed in Halloween finery, were able to pick two books each to take home to enjoy! The morning finished up with a parade through the school where the children got to go trick or treating. The smiles were priceless! Thanks to liaison Nicole Boatwright and the staff at the center for putting their hearts into an amazing book distribution and fall celebration!

"Pandamonium" at Arlington's Even Start -- October 30, 2024

Two giant pandas, Bao Li and Qing Bao, arrived at the Smithsonian's National Zoo on October 15. "Pandamonium" followed two weeks later at Arlington's Even Start program! With a big stuffed panda, a few baby panda pets, and real bamboo leaves to set the scene, children and parents worked together to make panda hats and panda plates. The book-picking even included some panda choices. Special thanks to RIF NOVA liaison Sara Mulrooney for creating such a panda-tastic event loved by moms and children alike!

Falls Church McLean Children's Center -- October 18, 2024

The RIF NOVA book distribution at the FCMLCC is always such a treat for the some of our smallest readers as they picked out a book of their own. RIF NOVA partner, the New Dominion Women's Club, handed out books and read to the children -- adding to the fun!

"Fall into Books" at West Gate Elementary -- September 30, 2024

Children at West Gate Elementary in Prince William County started the fall season just right -- with a new book and some fall fun. The children walked around wide-eyed at the selection of books as if they were at a fall festival -- which they were! The kindergartners were especially excited, saying, "I can't wait to find my favorite book!" They also took away a fall-themed bookmark to color. Bravo to RIF NOVA liaison Susan Bowden (shown in the photo below explaining what was about to happen to a kindergarten class) and Danielle Van Vlack, reading teacher, for making this RIF NOVA distribution such a treat for more than 500 students!

BOOKS FOR KEEPS: 2024-2025 SCHOOL YEAR!

READING IS FUNDAMENTAL OF NORTHERN VIRGINIA, INC.

Support