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Back To Class For "Read Me Day"
As the time approaches
for the BOOK ‘EM annual “Read Me Week” reading
promotion in Nashville, Tennessee, we want to share our account
from last year’s event. The 2006 event is scheduled for
Thursday, March 2. If you would like to make a contribution of
books or time, please use the contact information at the bottom
of the page and support BOOK ‘EM!
McMahon was once again on hand to share his love for reading with an
anxious group of first-graders at the 2005 “Read Me Day” spotlight
event sponsored by BOOK ‘EM, a non-profit organization determined
to teach children to both learn and love to read.
After first being asked to participate in 1996, McMahon has participated
each year but one. “I was ready to go,” said McMahon, “but
it snowed on the day of the event, and they rescheduled. Once they set
the new date, I found that I’d be out of town performing with [Tim]
McGraw. I was bummed, but I’ve still been asked back, so I’m
glad for that!”
The 16th annual “Read Me Week” brought Nashville-based BOOK
‘EM together with the Nashville Symphony in recognition of the year’s
theme, “Reading is Music to My Ears” at Bordeaux Enhanced
Elementary School in Nashville. Joining McMahon at the event were Nashville
Mayor Bill Purcell, Director of Metro Schools Dr. Pedro Garcia, Metro
Police Chief Ronal Serpas, Gnash – the team mascot for the Nashville
Predators, children’s favorite Franklin the Turtle, and a wide array
of other local celebrities and media personalities. All gathered together
to read to children ranging from kindergarten through fourth grade and
share the passion for reading.
The 2005 event was even more special for McMahon, as he has a special
tie to the school that hosted the event:
I’ve spent a lot of time in that school. A few years ago,
I volunteered in their library during my time off the road. Very quickly
I got to know the kids and, before I knew it, I was substitute teaching
on a regular basis all over the school! The students were older then
– fourth, fifth, and sixth graders. Now they’re younger,
and the teachers are all different. But the school custodian is still
the same, and I tracked him down immediately! It was good to see him.
In keeping with the musical theme for the day, McMahon selected a favorite
book titled Mole
Music
by David McPhail for his room full of first-graders. The book tells
the story of a mole living underground that aspires to learn the violin
after finding himself unfulfilled from digging tunnels all day and watching
television every night.
But there is more to the mole’s tender tale:
It’s a great story. The mole practices and practices, ultimately
achieving his dream to become a skilled violinist. However, he laments
that his music, learned alone underground, has never been heard or impacted
the world around him. What he does not realize is that the roots of
the tree surrounding his home have carried his music beyond his home
in the dark; he has touched the world around him in ways he has never
imagined. The tree has flourished in the beauty of his music, as has
the world above him. It’s a great reminder of how we can affect
so many things around us while never realizing it. The illustrations
of the book tell both stories as the images split in the middle of the
page, telling both the mole’s story below ground, and the story
of his music above.
Cassandra Griggs, the 2005 chairperson for “Read Me Week,”
shared her thanks regarding McMahon’s continued support of BOOK
‘EM:
Mr. McMahon, on behalf of BOOK “EM, I wish to express my
gratitude to you for participating as a celebrity reader for Read Me
Day. From the enthusiasm shown, the children of Bordeaux Elementary
School enjoyed the story and time you shared.
Again, thank you for supporting BOOK ‘EM and for sharing your
morning with the children. It was a pleasure meeting you and I look
forward to you joining us for future celebrations.
For more information on supporting BOOK ‘EM and their activities,
visit their website at http://www.bookem-kids.org.
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