Press Release

School District and Businesses Partner With Books for Burgess Babies

The West Monona Community School has teamed up again with area businesses to provide “Good Night Moon,” The Very Hungry Caterpillar,” “Is Your Mama a Llama?” and other classics to new babies at Burgess Health Center.

“New Books for Newborns” was first launched in December 2004 through Kathy Westergaard, West Monona curriculum coordinator, to nurture parental involvement and promote early literacy skills for children. In its second major book contribution, the program delivered more than 200 hard cover books this summer.

“Parents are a children’s first and best teacher,” Westergaard says. “Reading with children is one of the most important gifts parents can give. It cost nothing and creates moments of warmth and love. Reading aloud to children also can help assure childrens’ future success as good readers which will benefit their education in school.”

Some parents fondest memories can be reading favorite books with their children and remembering their reactions, she adds.

Burgess obstetrics coordinator Teresa Butler couldn’t be more delighted with the gifts from the school district and area businesses.

“A new book is one of the nicest things we give to the mothers of our new babies,” says Butler. “We have been busy with new babies this summer and see first-hand how our mothers love gifts for their babies. We recognize the importance of reading and promote it to our expectant parents during birthing and parenting classes.”

Onawa area businesses which helped West Monona by funding the “New Books for Newborns” project are: Blencoe State Bank of Blencoe and Onawa, Burtch State Farm Insurance, Farm Bureau Insurance, Iowa-Nebraska Bank, Sheridan Auto Center, Dave’s World, McDonalds of Onawa, Onawa Family Dentistry, Fiesta Foods, Onawa Sentinel, Pamida of Onawa, Stangel Pharmacy and Zima Insurance and Investment.

Parents interested in using the list of classic books to choose reading materials for their youngsters will find the list at the Onawa Public Library.