Literacy tea celebrates popular children’s books, promotes early reading

PRESQUE ISLE, Maine — Hundreds of children and family members filled the Campus Center at the University of Maine at Presque Isle on Saturday to celebrate the joys of reading while raising funds to help other children embark on their own adventures with books.

The first annual Literacy Tea served as a fundraiser for which all event and raffle ticket purchases, donations and sales of books will go toward the purchase of books for foster children in Aroostook County. Usborne Books & More will match 50 percent of all proceeds raised.

During the event, families sat at 19 tables that were decorated based on particular children’s books. Some of the featured books included “Charlotte’s Web,” “If You Give a Moose a Muffin,” “Harry Potter,” “Alice in Wonderland,” “How to Ski with Mr. Magee,” “Magic Beach” and those written by Dr. Seuss.

After sharing drinks and snacks, volunteers read each of the books to families and led guests in arts and craft projects based on the stories. Washburn artist Filomena Irving taught participants how to paint a Claude Monet-like work of art based on the paintings in “Linnea in Monet’s Garden,” while retired UMPI education professor Wendy Ross led a coloring book activity based on “Winnie the Pooh.”

“It’s important that we show kids that reading is fun,” said Laura Hale, event organizer and educational services representative for Usborne Books & More. “The Literacy Tea is a great event for kids to come, dress up and celebrate their favorite books while contributing to a good cause.”

Sarah Hatt, resource family trainer for Adoptive and Foster Families of Maine, Inc., spoke about the need for foster families in northern Maine and the importance of providing packages of books for children in foster care. 

Currently there are 200 children in foster care throughout Aroostook County.

“Books have the power to take a child from a place that’s scary to one that’s full of sunshine and smiles,” Hatt said. “Reading also helps them form social skills and bonds with their caregivers.”

The Literacy Tea brought many generations together to bond over their favorite children’s books. Melissa Keller of Portland took advantage of a weekend visit to Presque Isle to attend the Literacy Tea with her niece Hannah Tanguay, 7, and Hannah’s mother Jennifer Tanguay of Mapleton, who led activities at a table dedicated to the book “Anne of Green Gables.”

Hannah decided to dress up as the character Anne and said that “Anne of Green Gables” in one of her favorite books.

“I like books because I can imagine different stories,” she said.

Keller said that coming to the Literacy Tea brought back memories of many books that she also read as a child.

“I’ve always loved ‘Anne of Green Gables’ and ‘Charlotte’s Web,’” Keller said. “I love seeing how everyone has brought these books to life.”

Angel King of Mars Hill and her daughters Layla, 7, and Ruby, 5, brought two of the characters from “Alice in Wonderland” to life, with Layla dressed as Alice and King dressed as the Mad Hatter.

“I thought this would be a wonderful opportunity to help give books to foster kids and promote early literacy, which is something very important to me,” said King, who is on the board of trustees for the Walter T.A. Hanson Memorial Library in Mars Hill. “I try to read to my kids every night. There are books all over our house.”