Get to Know the Advisory Board: Cherie Courtade

First Book's strength comes from its donors and volunteers. In each community it serves, First Book has an Advisory Board of volunteers committed to bringing new books to children in need. Today, we'll get to know First Book-Denver Metro Advisory Board Member Anica Wong.

  

Name: Cherie Courtade

Hometown: Sewell, NJ 

What is your favorite children's book?  

When I was a child, I loved Green Eggs and Ham, The Velveteen Rabbit, and anything by Judy Blume. Today, I've discovered contemporary children's books by Mo Willems (Don't Let the Pigeon Drive the Bus! and Knufflebunny) and Jarrett Krosoczka (Baghead and Bubble Bath Pirates!)

Who is your favorite author?  

David Rakoff. I find myself re-reading his essays and enjoying them as much the 100th time as I did the first. I also enjoy Douglas Coupland, Sarah Vowell, and Haruki Murakami.

Why do you volunteer with First Book? 
Helen Coffey. Founder of First Book-Los Angeles South Bay, Helen introduced me to the organization over ten years ago and recruited me to her advisory board. Her passion for education and for the welfare of children was inspiring. I'd grown up with a love of reading, but Helen and First Book made me realize that I could--and should--help children who might not experience that joy without a little help from their community.

Grant-writing time!

At this week's First Book-Denver Metro advisory board meeting, the focus was funding. Board members worked on applications for several grants and assigned duties for pursuing other grant opportunities. If you have information about funding opportunities or are interested in volunteering for First Book, contact us at denvermetro@firstbook.org. You can also support First Book-Denver Metro by donating here.

Get to Know the Advisory Board: Lauren Baker

First Book's strength comes from its donors and volunteers. In each community it serves, First Book has an Advisory Board of volunteers committed to bringing new books to children in need. Today, we'll get to know First Book-Denver Metro Advisory Board Member Lauren Baker.

Name: Lauren Baker

Hometown: Denver is my adopted hometown. Great city and great state.

What is your favorite children's book? 

I loved Dr. Seuss books – all of them—and as I got just a bit older, I tore through the Little House on the Prairie series. I still remember what shelf they were on in my elementary school’s library.

Who is your favorite author? 

So many, and so hard to choose just one.  I love the Bronte sisters, Jane Austen, Truman Capote, The Brothers Grimm, Poe, Twain, Kate Chopin and Toni Morrison… 

Why do you volunteer with First Book? 

Its mission is one I can believe in.  Books have always been so central to my life.  I’m lucky that growing up there were books in my home and family trips to the library.  (And still are today.) I would hope every child has the opportunity for the adventures I had through great books.

Get to Know the Advisory Board: Anica Wong

First Book's strength comes from its donors and volunteers. In each community it serves, First Book has an Advisory Board of volunteers committed to bringing new books to children in need. Today, we'll get to know First Book-Denver Metro Advisory Board Member Anica Wong.

  

Name: Anica Wong

Employer: AmeriCorps volunteer through Mile High United Way

Hometown: Delta, CO

What is your favorite children's book?  

My favorite kid's book is "Two Pesos for Catalina." It tells the story about a young girl trying to decide what to spend her two pesos on. While the story itself was cute and touching, the reason I loved it as a kid is that the words are so lyrical. When read out loud (as adults, we should do this more), the words seemed to flow into a song. "Two pesos for Catalina...two pesos for Catalina to spend." That last word vibrates up and then down, flitting off the page. There's nothing better than words that take flight into our own lives. 

Who is your favorite author?  

This question is like asking a parent who their favorite child is...there's no right answer! I love too many books and too many author styles to pick just one. My most recent favorites, though, are Jeffrey Eugenides, Wallace Stegner, Cormac McCarthy, David Finkel and Eowyn Ivey.  

Why do you volunteer with First Book? 
I am an AmeriCorps volunteer literacy tutor. I currently work with K-3rd grade students to get them up to grade-level reading. I wanted to give this year of service to the community because I was blessed with a very word-rich childhood. My mom worked in a library, so I was surrounded by stories beyond my wildest imagination. My dad always read the daily newspaper, sparking my love of the written word. It wasn't until I grew up and saw parts of the world that I realized not everyone was as lucky as I was to have a family who placed such a high importance on reading. And so, that is one of the reasons I volunteer with First Book. Getting books into the hands of our community's children is the first step to sparking that life-long love of reading. 

First Book's strength comes from its donors and volunteers. In each community it serves, First Book has an Advisory Board of volunteers committed to bringing new books to children in need. Today, we'll get to know First Book-Denver Metro Advisory Board Member Terry Strobel. 

Photo by ugaldew

Name: Terry Strobel

Employer: Stay-at-home Mom 

Hometown: Grand Rapids, MI

Favorite Children's Book: Yertle the Turtle

Favorite Author: Dr. Seuss

Why Do you Volunteer with First Book:  I volunteer with First Book because I believe that the hard work we do helps children value reading.  Nothing's better than a having a favorite book when you are a kid!  I love being a part of that mission. 

Get to Know the Advisory Board: Terri Smith

First Book's strength comes from its donors and volunteers. In each community it serves, First Book has an Advisory Board of volunteers committed to bringing new books to children in need. Today, we'll get to know the First Book-Denver Metro Advisory Board Member Terri Smith.  

Name: Terri Smith       

Employer: Houghton Mifflin Harcourt

Hometown: Denver, CO

What is your favorite children's book? 
The Very Hungry Caterpillar. I love Eric Carle’s simple collage Illustrations.

Who is your favorite author?  
Jane Austin, but this is always a tough question because I have a hard time picking favorites.

Why do you volunteer with First Book?  
To make a positive impact on the community, and I think literacy is an important cause to support. I love to read and I hope that the kids we help will also be able to become avid readers.

Get to Know the Advisory Board: Christine Kuznia

First Book's strength comes from its donors and volunteers. In each community it serves, First Book has an Advisory Board of volunteers committed to bringing new books to children in need. Today, we'll get to know the Chair of First Book-Denver Metro's Advisory Board. 

Name: Christine Kuznia, First Book-Denver Metro Chair

Employer: Houghton Mifflin Harcourt

Hometown: Grand Forks, ND

What is your favorite children's book?

The Paper Bag Princess. Robert Munsch was ahead of his time when he wrote about a strong willed girl who wouldn’t let anyone, not even a dragon or a prince, stop her from being true to herself. This was one of the first books I bought for my niece. Every time I read it, I fall in love with it a little more.

Who is your favorite author?

This is hard – how can you ask a girl to choose! If I’m pushed, then I would have to say, Jane Austen. I have read all of her books, multiple times, and love every one of them, especially Pride and Prejudice. Oscar Wilde comes in at a very close second for his quick witted humor. One of my favorite quotes, actually by Oscar Wilde, is “if one cannot enjoy reading a book over and over again there is no use reading it at all.” This rings very true to me. Both of these authors have stories that are still very relevant and every time I pick up one of their books it is a new experience. I love it!

Why do you volunteer with First Book?

So many reasons! I love reading and I can’t imagine growing up without access to books. I practically grew up at the library in my hometown and want to thank all of the librarians who helped grow my passion of reading. They are an invaluable resource to our communities. I was fortunate enough to have a well-stocked library at home, as well, and looking back it was access to books that changed my life and made me appreciate and value reading. When I moved to Denver I learned about the statistics on low income families and the number of books in homes. The data was shocking and called me to action. After learning about First Book and their great mission, I knew that they were the right avenue to help guide a local grassroots effort to end illiteracy. One of the reasons that First Book is such a great organization, is that there is no underlying agenda to our cause. Simply put, we want to make sure every child has access to new reading material in their home. This simple, but strong message brings together people from all walks of life who want to make an impact in a child’s life and help them realize the magic of reading. Another great advantage of First Book is that all of our fundraising efforts go directly to the recipient groups we serve, such as schools and nonprofits that serve low-income and/or high minority populations. As a board, we’ve made the choice to have zero operating/overhead costs so we can ensure that 100% of all donations we receive go to the people who need it most.

Denver is such a wonderful community and has welcomed First Book with open arms. Our board is still young, but we’ve seen great growth in the year and half that we’ve been together. We have great partnerships with Mayor Michael Hancock, the Office of Children’s Affairs, and with stores in Cherry Creek North, like Hermitage Books, Enstrom, and Mici’s. We have recently found more allies in ending illiteracy with the Book Bar, located on Tennyson Street, and Von Melee, the online bookstore and blog. First Book is an organization that everyone can get behind, and I welcome any one who has questions to contact me directly. You can reach me at DenverMetro@firstbook.org or (218) 791-2484. It is going to be a great 2014!!