SHORT the Squirrel Expands Literacy Efforts in the New School Year
By Sheila Duncan
Reporter
As the new school year is in full swing, SHORT the Squirrel, an Alabama-based nonprofit promoting a love for reading, is partnering with the Alabama Reading Initiative. This statewide effort aims for 100% literacy among K-12 public school students. Together, they will distribute books across Alabama, ensuring more children have access to quality reading material.
A major highlight coming up is SHORT’s fifth birthday celebration, “SHORT Races to Read,” which will be filmed at the famous Talladega Superspeedway. This event will celebrate Alabama’s rich history and will be a milestone for the organization. The party and a free supplemental curriculum will be available online for all registered classrooms in February. Teachers can start signing up for this event on SHORT’s website, www.shortthesquirrel.com, in early 2025.
Along with these big events, SHORT the Squirrel will focus on its motto of turning “waiting time into reading time” by placing book vending machines in courtrooms across the state. This helps children who often wait for long periods without screens or entertainment. SHORT will also keep up its popular school visits, where interactive storytelling makes books fun and opens up conversations about important topics like financial literacy and mental health.
Founded in 2020 by Monica Anderson Young and Dr. Dee Dupree Bennett, SHORT the Squirrel is a groundbreaking literacy nonprofit dedicated to inspiring a love for reading and sparking the imaginations of Alabama’s youngest citizens. Unlike other literacy programs, SHORT the Squirrel focuses on specific gaps in childhood literacy that have often been neglected. Their unique approach features engaging mascots like Short the Squirrel and his friend Owl-Livia, who guide children through captivating stories, fostering curiosity and imagination.
“Their mission is holistic, emphasizing not just reading skills but also fostering a lifelong passion for knowledge and a strong connection to the world. By continuously adapting to the needs of our community, they address critical gaps in literacy development. Supporting SHORT the Squirrel means investing in an inclusive program that makes a real impact, helping shape intellectually curious young minds throughout Alabama.”
