As a little girl, Roberta Eichler's favorite book was "Make Way for Ducklings." She fondly remembers the day the words and pictures on its pages came alive for her during a family outing.
"It was made real for me when my parents took my sister, brother and me to Boston to see the Swan Boats in the park and showed us exactly where the mother duck led her family of ducklings through Boston's busy streets," Eichler recalled. "I especially love the illustrations in the book."
Eichler, executive director of the Volunteer Center of Southwestern Fairfield County, is among several Stamford leaders supporting Strong Start, an early childhood literacy initiative launched by the United Way of Western Connecticut. A kickoff event will take place Oct. 30 at Ferguson Library.
The program's goal is to eradicate the achievement gap before it begins. The United Way's plan is to ensure young children have books, helping remove roadblocks to learning, and to encourage early literacy through family involvement.
Parents, caregivers and others are invited to sign a citywide pledge, promising to share a favorite childhood book. The pledge is available online.
Some already have revealed their childhood favorites. For Superintendent of Schools Joshua Starr, it was "In the Night Kitchen." For U.S. Rep. Jim Himes, D-Greenwich, it was "Where the Wild Things Are." United Way CEO Michael Johnston was partial to "Are You My Mother?" Stamford Mayor Michael Pavia and William Callion, the city's former director of public safety, health and welfare, share the same favorite: "The Little Engine That Could."
Families are invited to a "Books Alive!" performance at Ferguson Library from 2 to 3 p.m. Oct. 30 in support of Strong Start. Pavia and others will be at the event to sign the pledge.
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