November 9, 2006

Library School promotes literacy with Cocky's Reading Express

Cocky and a bus full of University of South Carolina students will hit the road Nov. 13 to promote literacy in Midlands schools.

Cocky’s Reading Express, organized by Student Government and the School of Library and Information Science, features storytelling and free books for elementary students. The Library School’s South Carolina Center for Children’s Books and Literacy provides assistance as part of its effort to promote literacy among South Carolina children in kindergarten through third grade.

The mission continues for a second year with stops at Harbison West Elementary, Dutch Fork Elementary, Midway Elementary, Mt. Pisgah Elementary, Roundtop Elementary and Bookman Road Elementary, as well as EdVenture Children’s Museum. The visits coincide with National Children’s Book Week, which is Nov. 13-17.

Cocky will be joined at the schools by Dooley of “The Dooley and Pals Show,” a children’s program on public television. Dooley, a friend of ETV’s Smart Cart, is an alien that comes to Earth and learns valuable lessons.

Last year, USC President Dr. Andrew A. Sorensen made it possible for organizers to distribute the children’s book “Hello, Cocky” to students at the schools visited by the Reading Express. The book, written by Aimee Aryal and illustrated by Joni Graybill, follows Cocky through campus on the way to a football game at Williams-Brice Stadium. There are 5,000 copies available for the program this year.

The program will culminate Nov. 17 with an on-campus reading festival for area day-care centers. The fest will have four stations—each featuring a story and related arts and crafts activities. Stations will have separate themes, such as sports and health. The event will be held from 2 to 4 p.m. at the intramural field behind the Strom Thurmond Wellness and Fitness Center on Blossom Street.

The volunteers visiting schools and working the festival include Student Government representatives, University 101 students, education majors, Mortar Board members and student athletes. Student Government members and Ellen Shuler, executive director of the South Carolina Center for Children’s Books and Literacy, have arranged the week’s activities.

“The South Carolina Center for Children’s Books and Literacy is thrilled to be helping USC Student Government with Cocky's Reading Express,” Shuler said. “They worked very hard on last year’s tour and we are hoping to make Cocky's Reading Express even bigger and better this year.”

Last year’s program was so successful that volunteers were left behind. The bus holds 15 people, and the program struck far too much interest to include everybody. This year’s group is expected to do the same, but Student Government cabinet member Ashley Wood said volunteers are encouraged to contact program officials.

“We’re looking for more help,” Wood said. “Any student can volunteer. We are going to need them not only for school visits, but also for the festival at the end of the week.”

No experience telling tales? That’s not a problem.

“We’ll help train the volunteers that are going to be at the festival in how to read and how to do storytelling,” Shuler said.

Volunteers also will be needed for events planned for the spring semester, though dates and destinations have not been finalized.