Several times during the course of the school year students at Great Neck Road Elementary School in the Copiague School District receive a free paperback book, as part of the district’s Reading is Fundamental program.

Prior to the book distribution students created elaborate murals highlighting the books they had read together in class. Thanks to several staff members, storybook characters came to life including Woody, Tiger, Winnie the Pooh, and Elmo and arrived just in time to mingle with the students as they selected their books. Students were all smiles at Great Neck Elementary School when they surrounded Winnie the Pooh during the book distribution. In addition to their free book, students are paired with an older book buddy. The students read together and are encouraged to discuss their books and share ideas.

In the photo above, members of the Great Neck Road Elementary School Reading Is Fundamental Book Distribution committee pose with Woody in front of the students’ artwork.