Welcome to School Book

Overview

New kindergartners throughout Tompkins County and two adjacent towns receive a brand new book entitled "Mango, Abuela, and Me" when they enter kindergarten. This special Welcome to School Book is a gift from the child's new school. Contributions to buy books are donated by individual schools, PTAs, and school councils, and are matched by M&T Bank.

A partnership project of:

Local Schools
Family Reading Partnership
M&T Bank

We like the project because "all these kids from varied backgrounds have a common experience -- the book." — Randi Beckmann, Kindergarten Teacher, Belle Sherman Elementary School

Increase book ownership in all families.
Build books into community transitions and traditions.
Use quality children's literature as a vehicle to promote family reading practices.
Begin a positive home school relationship by providing schools with a book for families.
Connect the excitement of beginning school with the pleasure of books.
Give children a tangible representation of school to have for the summer.
Give children a common "book experience" as they enter school.
Build a "classroom community"
Smooth the transition to school.

Mango, Abuela, and Me

By Meg Medina

Mia is unsure of what to think when her grandma, Abuela, comes to live with her. She must open up her room to share with Abuela, even though the two don't even share a common language. "Abuela and I can't understand each other" Mia confides to her mom. "Things will get better," she tells her, and indeed they do. Through some trial and error, persistence and even a feathered friend, Mia and Abuela find new ways to communicate.