Kazmir has bumps
Friday was the party at the Braille Institute in Los Angeles in celebration of the end of their 6 week Summer Reading Program. It was incredible! So my husband, Michael, and I pull up in the parking area, and there’s a sign reserving a parking space for us. We’re off to a great start! Anyone who knows me, knows that parking issues are my pet peeve. Anyway, we were warmly greeted by Dr. Henry Chang, Director of Library Services and Siran Aytayan, Reader Advisor.
Dr. Henry Chang, Gina Vivona, Siran Aytayan
They gave me a wonderful tour around the library. I saw where volunteers come in every morning to record the newspaper, ads, and coupons, making the recordings available by phone for the vision impaired. The library was full of large type books, books on tape, digital books, and books in braille. There were even magazines in braille.
The library has 1.55 million books, and now that we’ve been added, make that 1.55 million + 1! This was their 21st Reading Program and 325 people participated. A few kids read over 90 books during the program!
There were over 100 people packed to hear me read a chapter from Adventures with Kazmir the Flying Camel. I read Chapter 11, Somebody, because kids think it’s funny. The kids listened and then answered questions to win one of 10 amulets that I gave away. Each person also went home with Kazmir on tape.
It was truly an honor and a great joy to participate in this Reading Program. I met Siran at the UCLA Book Faire almost 2 years ago. Some connections are worth holding onto.
Download your free audiobook, just like these 325 kids and adults received.