Hundreds of literary stars recently walked, skipped, and leaped down the red carpet at Riverside Elementary School. Their smiles broadened as they eagerly picked up their bag of free books donated by the community. The event, sponsored by WANF-TV, aimed to help the students strengthen their confidence in reading. 

As students peeked inside their bags, their eyes lit up excitedly, seeing the literary adventures that awaited them. Smiles spread across their faces, and squeals of delight bounced off the walls as they shared their new treasures with their classmates. Whether it was a thrilling adventure, a whimsical fairy tale, or a journey into the wonders of science, the books inside these bags promised countless hours of exploration and fun. The students walked away with more than 2,200 books ready to spark their imaginations. 

Atlanta News First anchors, meteorologists, and Georgia State University cheerleaders helped pump up the reading excitement.  

The event wasn’t just about giving books—it was about building personal libraries and fostering a lifelong love of reading. Riverside teachers and the school’s principal knelt beside the students, sharing in their excitement and encouraging them to dive into their new books. As students compared titles and picked which book they wanted to explore first, their enthusiasm for reading was palpable. Some even settled in the school gymnasium, eager to begin their first chapter.

“Riverside was thrilled to welcome the Books to Kids Event. We wholeheartedly value literacy and the opportunity for our students to witness our community's support for reading, too. This experience will positively motivate our students to continue reading daily,” shared Principal Shayna Clinkscales.

Research shows that children who are reading on grade level by the end of third grade are far more likely to succeed academically in the future, making events like this vital to building a strong foundation for lifelong learning and supporting the District’s focus on the importance of literacy. Thanks to the community donation, students can strengthen their literacy foundation beyond the classroom. Through their new books, the Riverside students will be able to explore new worlds, develop critical thinking, improve language skills, and boost their curiosity for learning and reading—one page at a time.