NORTH SIOUX CITY, SD -
Pre-schoolers in North Sioux City met a very special guest today. The First Lady of South Dakota came to town to share the importance of reading. She also declared May 22, 2012 as "Books for Budding Brains" day.
Linda Daugaard was a librarian before she became first lady of South Dakota, so to her, reading to pre-schoolers here in North Sioux City, comes naturally.
These kids may be in a library, but they aren't telling anyone to be quiet.
In fact, they're doing quite the opposite, playing along while First Lady of South Dakota, Linda Daugaard reads a book out loud.
And she says this is a tradition she did for years with her own kids.
"All three of our kids are avid readers even into their adult years now. So we feel that every student needs to have that good sound basis of reading, and the love of reading," she said.
And that's why she and her husband, Governor of South Dakota Dennis Daugaard support Books for Budding Brains.
This is the 4th annual book drive, and in the first three years, D2 has put 11,000 books in the hands of children with support from KMEG 14 and FOX 44.
"It is very special for a child to have a book," Deb Matthys, librarian in North Sioux City.
She believes it all starts with a hook.
"I always say when kids are looking for a book, I always say, what are your favorite movies? What are your favorite kinds of movies? You need to find something that grabs them; I think that's why the Harry Potter series was so important," Matthys said.
And Daugaard knows Deb's job is one of the most rewarding.
"I think that's one of the best jobs in the world, everyday I got to share stories and the love of reading with the school children, and that was so much fun, to put some of the non-readers in contact with a good book, and even just sitting down and reading to them, it's fun to watch their faces and how they react to books,"she said.
To the first lady, this is where it all begins.
If you are interested in donating and new or gently used books, there are several drop off locations around the area. You can donate at any Fareway store, or you can come to the KMEG 14 studios in Dakota Dunes, we have a drop off box there.
Here is a link to the full list of drop off locations: http://www.d2worldwide.com/Books_for_Budding_Brains.aspx
