Children Read, the nonprofit organization created by former Tall Tales Book Shop owner Marlene Zeiler, has collected more than 5,000 used books and is in the process of giving them away to pre-kindergarten children around metro Atlanta. “We found out that 61 percent of low income homes have no books and the kids have not been read aloud to during their first 5 years,” Zeiler said. “The 0-5 age group faces crucial risks. Our goal is to help change that.”
Donations have been pouring into Tall Tales in the Toco Hills Shopping Center and Little Shop of Stories in Decatur. Office and warehouse space was donated to the organization for storage, cleaning and repair of the books before they are given to children. Zeiler said book events have been held in conjunction with Sheltering Arms and Partnership for Community Action and they are planning to visit all the Head Start schools and preschools for children of low income families.
Zeiler was excited that so many varied groups and organizations were donating books, including Girl Scout Troop 3360, the lower school at Paideia, The Children’s School, the women at University Heights Methodist Church, Torah Day School and many other individuals.
For more about Children Read and how you can help, visit childrenreadatlanta.com.
