Submitted Photo Pictured are a few of Mrs. Nyquist’s students from left to right: Emma Rankin, Alivia Peate, Bethany Shellhouse, Olyvia Funkhouser, and Rylan Simons picking out a book.

YOUNGSVILLE — Students at Youngsville Elementary School kicked off the new year with the gift of reading, thanks to Ruby Wiles-Shaw, Founder and Director of Free Books for Kids Town. Last month, Shaw visited the school to help students select a free book to start the year with an exciting new story.

Gathered around tables filled with books of all genres, students browsed their choices.

Alongside Emma Rankin, fellow students Alivia Peate, Bethany Shellhouse, Olyvia Funkhouser, and Rylan Simons from Mrs. Nyquist’s class carefully made their selections, excited to dive into their new reads.

Free Books for Kids Town is a beloved program that provides children with multiple opportunities throughout the school year to choose and take home free books. The goal is to foster a lifelong love of reading by ensuring that every child has access to books of their own.

“Seeing the excitement on their faces when they find a book they love is what this program is all about,” Shaw shared. “Reading opens doors to imagination, knowledge, and opportunity, and we want every child to experience that.”

Youngsville Elementary students will have more chances to build their personal libraries through this wonderful literacy initiative. As they turn the pages of their new books, they continue their journey of learning, one story at a time.