Transforming the Bullying Cycle through the Arts

BRIO Integrated Theatre Director Sahar Ahmed facilitating a collaborative workshop about anti bullying for children from The REAL Program of Lynn and Old North Church of Marblehead on Saturday, 3/14/2015 at the Lynn Museum. Maryam Mermey, Ph.D. from the Transformative Arts of Maine lead the workshop called Transforming the Bullying Cycle through the Arts

Harold and the Purple Crayon is this Saturday's theme for Legacy Institute for Early Childhood Educators

Harold and the Purple Crayon Meets STEAM is the theme for this Saturday (3/7) Legacy Institute for Early Childhood Educators at the Riverside School, Danvers. Registration is still open at www.therealprogram.org. (Isn't it great to see Harold surrounded by books and green grass and sunshine?)

Little Free Libraries and Books are Beginning to Take Seed Despite Big Snow Banks

Thanks to a dear friend, colleague and educator, VICTORIA HACKETT,  Little Free Libraries has become a passion. The idea of putting a little box of books in front of your house or business with a sign that says "TAKE A BOOK, LEAVE A BOOK" is just too perfect! To all the people in the Boston area who are already committed to their Little Free Libraries and who are known as stewards, please come and meet Todd Bol on Saturday, 3/7 at the Riverside Elementary School in Danvers. Todd is the keynote speaker at this year's Legacy of Teaching Institute for Early Childhood Educators. He is presenting a workshop "building day" too. Information is available at www.therealprogram.org

Little Free Library Movement Founder, Todd Bol and more than one fan of Little Free Libraries

REAL Kids Have Fun at The REAL Program

REAL kids on our one meeting this season so far! 

Get Your Voice Out There™ - The REAL Read Aloud - The Mitten by Jan Brett

A Story about The Snowy Day by Ezra Jack Keats

In 1962 Ezra Jack Keats authored and illustrated the children's book, The Snowy Day. 

It was the time of the civil rights movement in our country. Today New England is braced for another snowy day- an historic blizzard threatens our coast line and up to 30 inches of snow is predicted for our region.  People have been working hard in preparation for the epic event. Mother Nature strikes mighty blows sometimes. Be safe and warm, everyone. Snuggle up and read so we can weather this storm and the other storm we fight against illiteracy in this developed nation. Literacy could be the civil rights movement of our time. 

The REAL Program presents The Legacy of Teaching Early Childhood Institute

The Legacy of Teaching Early Childhood Institute, presented by The REAL Program,  is Saturday, March 7, 2015 at the Riverside School, Danvers. This year's theme is Harold and the Purple Crayon meets STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts and Math). Eight workshops are offered with a major focus on STEAM and a little fun with our imaginary leadership of Harold. Harold has been on his journey for 60 years this year and the Legacy celebrates 25 years with keynote speaker Todd Bol, founder of the Little Free Library Movement. What better way to help early childhood educators enrich the lives of children with literacy and STEAM!

Little Free Library Builder and Founder, Todd Bol.
Todd Bol, founder of the Little Free Library Movement which he started by building a little tribute to his mother in 2009. With over 20,000 Little Free Libraries around the world, this literacy and community-building phenomenon continues to intrigue people of all ages and socioeconomic backgrounds.

Little Free Libraries themselves are handcrafted structures that contain constantly changing collections of books donated and shared by people of all ages and backgrounds. Most Little Free Libraries are placed in front yards, parks, gardens and easily accessible locations. The Libraries are built to withstand weather of all kinds and hold 20-100 books. Some Libraries are located in coffee shops, in or near restaurants and community centers.

Originally designed to look like a one-room school or a “house of books,” the Libraries rapidly took on a wide variety of sizes, shapes, themes and other attributes. There is no standard size and shape. Although many businesses and apartments may have had “take a book, leave a book” shelves for years, the idea of a network of unique structure with stewards, signage and social support started in 2010.

The two people most responsible for Little Free Libraries are Todd Bol and Rick Brooks. Todd Bol of Hudson, Wisconsin built what would eventually be called the first “Little Free Library” as a memorial tribute to his mother in 2009. Rick Brooks of Madison, Wisconsin and he put together the ideas and strategies that led to other Little Free Libraries being installed in Minneapolis, Madison and other communities. But many of the people most responsible for the success of this movement are the “early adopters” of the idea who purchased Libraries made by Bol and others for their front yards. They became the stewards of the tangible and intangible parts of the Little Free Library mission: to promote a sense of community, reading for children, literacy for adults and libraries around the world. Stewards often build the Libraries that serve their communities. They fill them with books, protect and promote them, and come up with new ways to share the goodwill generated by these neighborhood book exchanges.