Walla Walla Kids Read to end

Walla Walla Kids Read (WWKR) founder Patrick Carman has announced the program will not be offered in 2014 marking the end of the program which began in 2007. Carman, a nationally renowned children’s book author, cites several reasons for his decision, including his extensive travel schedule, rising cost of the program and time constraints. Carman reports he is currently exploring options to re-imagine the program as a non-profit which supports literacy initiatives in the Walla Walla valley. 

 

“We’ve hosted 11 world class authors at six Walla Walla Kids Read events, and hopefully the program motivated a lot of young readers to keep turning pages,” Carman said.

 

The primary goal of WWKR was to provide a nationally known author presentation to every K-5 grade student in the Walla Walla valley every year. Carman’s vision was to nurture and encourage lifelong readers. The annual spring activity featured large scale events at Cordiner Hall on the Whitman College Campus, along with a community event, school visits and live webcasts.

 

All costs associated with the events were funded by Walla Walla Kids Read, including author fees, webcast fees, facility use, and transportation for Walla Walla Public Schools. School kits with information, activities, and books were also supported by Walla Walla Kids Read.

 

Walla Walla Public Schools Superintendent Mick Miller praised Carman for establishing Walla Walla Kids Read and helping the district reinforce the importance of strong literacy skills and helping students develop a love for reading.

 

“It has been a great program, we are grateful for Patrick’s vision and leadership and his focus on reading has had a real impact on children throughout the Valley,” Miller said. “We hope the program will be re-imaged in the future.”

 

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