So when he heard Manatee Elementary School was giving away books at family literacy night, he didn't think twice about not skipping the event. The books were collected and given by the Collier County Education Foundation. Donations of books are welcomed at all First Union Bank branches and other local businesses until Friday. I don't do it very well, but I'm learning. Family literacy nights are held each week in several Collier County public schools.
Families have the opportunity to get tutoring from teachers and check out books from the library.
But this Tuesday was a special occasion for the children and parents. Each person got to leave with a book. Members of Collier County Education Foundation and representatives of Partners in Education businesses distributed children's books to two dozen families as part of the Governor's Family Literacy Initiative of Florida. The Bush family and best-selling authors Robin Cook, R.L. Stine and Susan Orlean will present a reading, while emphasizing the role early literacy development plays in a child's readiness for school. The Bushes won't be the only political figures in the spotlight Monday.