Ninety percent of Wild Plum Center families are enrolled in the Mayor's Book Club. This program was established in 2007 to not only help 3 and 4 year-olds develop a love for reading and learning at an early age, but to create a level playing field for all of our youngest learners. It has been found that he “achievement gap” in Longmont, or the disparity in key academic scores, falls along socio-economic and ethnic lines. This program is open to all 3-4 year olds in Longmont, but in an effort to close the achievement gap before Kindergarten, a special effort is made to recruit families who are lower income, as well as newer immigrants.

The Mayor's Book Club is presented in both English and Spanish. Studies tell us that when children are literate in their primary language, then literacy in a second language is far easier to achieve. Bilingual family reading programs can increase the literacy of ALL family members. We also know that having books in the home is as important to academic success as the education level of a child’s parent. As we see our community’s foreign-born population growing, it only makes sense to ensure that this program is accessible to all families in Longmont.

Once a child joins the Mayor’s Book Club, he or she will receive a free book each month in the mail until they turn five. The Mayor and a Spanish speaking community leader read the books we send on Longmont’s local access channel, Channel 8. Tune in every Monday, Wednesday, Friday, Saturday and Sunday at 8 am, and Tuesdays and Thursdays at 11 am. Children  in the Book Club all receive an official Mayor's Book Club t-shirt!

To watch the readings on Longmont's local access channel, Channel 8 click here: Mayor's Book Club