[INTRODUCTION - from
original printed edition]
This book is the result of hard work by the adult
learners of Project Read - Menlo Park, the adult literacy
program of the Menlo Park Public Library. We wish to
congratulate all our learners on their efforts in
improving their reading skills and especially those who
gave the time and the effort to contribute to this
collection of stories.
Many of our learners take time away from their
families to achieve their goals of improving their
reading and writing skills so that they can get better
jobs and enrich their own lives and the lives of their
families. They have shown that reading is such an
important skill that they will give up their free time
and time with their families to practice a skill that
will better their lives immeasurably. This decision,
therefore, takes tremendous dedication and focus, and we
applaud their hard work.
We hope that the learners who contributed to this book
will continue on the path of lifelong learning and that
they will encourage other new learners to read and write.
Our hope is that reading will become a joyful experience
instead of a frustrating and difficult one for all our
learners. Special thanks also go to the tutors, who
volunteer week after week to help our learners improve
their reading skills.
Because these stories are works from the adult
learners, the editor chose to preserve the writings the
way the students wrote them instead of making changes to
the writings. Therefore, the only changes made were in
spelling and, when it was necessary, to understand the
story.
The illustrations in this book were provided by
children whose families are affiliated with Project Read
- Menlo Park, including the children in our Families for
Literacy program as well as by the children at the Belle
Haven Childhood Development Center. These children wanted
to recognize the adults whose lives are affected by the
inability to read at a functional level and to encourage
them to continue their studies for lifelong learning.
Their illustrations, then, provided a chance to do
something for the adults in their lives who are
struggling to be better readers, and we thank these
children for recognizing the sacrifices necessary to
become better readers.
Project Read - Menlo Park salutes the work of the
adult learners who have the courage to recognize the
necessity of improving their skills and who are learning
ways to express themselves. We also salute their tutors,
who give so much time and support to steer these readers
on to success, as well as the children who illustrated
the book.
I hope you enjoy this collection of writings and
appreciate the gift of reading that you have, but which
so many adults and families lack.
Ellen Loebl
Community Outreach Coordinator
Project Read - Menlo Park
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