Mancos students heard this year's One Book 4 Colorado, "Duck on a Bike," in two languages last week at the Mancos Public Library.
After Pete Eschallier of Kokopelli's Bike and Board read the book in English, library employee Amy Morrison read the text in Spanish. Eschallier then gave a short talk on bicycle safety.
The children each received their own copy of "Duck on a Bike" to keep. Thirty-one copies of the book were handed out, and the library still has more copies to give away.
More than 70,000 copies of the book will be distributed to children across Colorado at local library events, preschools and through other means.
Statewide distribution of "Duck on a Bike" and a multitude of family literacy events will take place May 6-20, coinciding with Colorado Literacy Week.
One Book 4 Colorado is the result of a collaboration between the office of Lt. Gov. Joe Garcia, Serve Colorado, the Denver Preschool Program, Reach Out and Read Colorado, the Colorado State Library, public libraries, the private sector and the foundation community.
The program is modeled after the successful Preschool One Book One Denver program originated by the Denver Preschool Program and presented by Denver Public Library, and Reach Out and Read Colorado. Both programs are premised on the idea that providing young children with access to quality books promotes early literacy and helps families serve as their children's first and most important teachers.