Carthage literacy giveaway inspires young readers

CARTHAGE, Mo. — Members of an area literacy organization head back to the classroom to give students a holiday present.

"On Christmas Eve does a dinosaur sleep, does he go to bed without making a peep? I hope so," said Jeanne Goolsby, Carthage Family Literacy Council.

This is the 2nd year for the Carthage Family Literacy Council Christmas book giveaway.

"Does he rip open presents under the tree, oh no, that would get him in trouble," said Goolsby.

It isn't just a one-day thing.

More will be handed out next week.

When all's said and done, more than a thousand books will have been given to Carthage students.

"We feel like it's really important to try and get books into the hands of every child in Carthage, we want them to spend that time over Christmas break or over summer breaks reading, reading, reading, it's the best investment you can make in your child," said Goolsby.

And one student picked up where Goolsby left off with the same book.

"Because of the dinosaurs and I like dinosaurs and I also like Christmas," said Argo Weber, Columbian Elementary first grade.

"I think it's super important that they have the books that are paper, they can turn the pages, they learn to focus with their eyes to follow the works across the page, it's not more screen time, the kids get plenty of that and it's closeness with the parent if they're learning to read, plus it's just quiet time if they're old enough to read on their own," said Goolsby.