Bookworms burrowing for Children’s Hospital

POULSBO — Whether they’re learning about tow trucks or exploring the Little House on the Prairie, 10 local children are reading for a good cause.

The kids are halfway through a read-a-thon to benefit Seattle’s Children’s Hospital. They have pledged to read or be read to for 30 minutes a day for 10 days.

The read-a-thon has raised about $700 so far.

Funds will be used to purchase books from the Usborne Book Company, which has a “Reach For the Stars” book-raising program. Through the program, the children who do the reading keep 30 percent of the money, of which Usborne donates 10 percent of the total.

The money — 80 percent of the total — is then used to purchase books from Usborne, and the books are sent to Children’s Hospital.

“We use books all the time. We enjoy getting donations of books that are diverse so we can meet needs of all ages,” said Kim Korte, a manager for the Child’s Life Department at Children’s Hospital.

Korte said that Children’s Hospital uses books to help children pass the time, learn or distract themselves from medical procedures while they’re taking place.

She said she is looking forward to the books from Usborne.

“The books are educational, which is nice,” Korte said.

Poulsbo resident Kim Uyyek, an educational consultant with Usborne, helped set up the read-a-thon. She said so far, the kids are enjoying the reading, but more benefits are on the way.

“Everyone who participates will get a book,” she said. “I’ll make sure they get a book.”

Uyyek said she was inspired to spark the read-a-thon through a friend’s daughter who is battling leukemia.

Her 6-year-old son Jonah said he enjoys the reading and the pictures, especially the pictures of tow trucks in “How Many Trucks Can a Tow Truck Tow?” — his favorite book. He also knows the deeper meaning of the

reading.

“To raise money and books for the Children’s Hospital,” he said.

Those who pledge money can do

so through a by-minute rate or a flat

rate.

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