The Kiwanis Club of Plano’s newest initiative aims to promote fire safety and reading comprehension among kids, and comes in the size of a book about 14 pages long.
The big picture
Kiwanis officials began publishing and distributing a bilingual book for children called “Abuela y yo” earlier this year, club President Jeanette Kelley said. The story follows a grandmother who teaches her two grandchildren what to do in case there’s a fire emergency at her house.
The book was funded by grants from several organizations, including the Plano Community Forum and the Texas-Oklahoma District of Kiwanis International. The book was authored by Carmen Ramos and illustrated by Evelyn Herrera.
How it happened
The idea started with a meeting between Ramos and Kelley at a coffee shop in downtown Plano
about a year ago. The two wanted to write a book that had a message about fire safety. Ramos said she’s wanted to write a children’s book with a message about safety for a long time.
“When Jeanette mentioned it, I was on board immediately,” Ramos said.
The book is meant to not only encourage kids to learn about fire safety but to encourage their caregivers to talk about what to do in the scenario when there is a fire, Ramos said. If parents or grandparents take time to teach their kids and practice what to do, kids will become more confident in case of emergency.
Ramos wanted to write the book’s story in English and Spanish so it would be open to a wide audience.
“I think it could help save lives,” Ramos said. “I really do.”
About the program
The Kiwanis Club began publishing and distributing the book in February, Kelley said. So far, the club has distributed books to Plano ISD and five Health Services of North Texas locations.
Club officials are searching for other avenues, such as businesses, to distribute the books, Kelley said. The Texas-Oklahoma Kiwanis District had expressed interest in acquiring copies of the book to be distributed, she said.
“I think the response has been great,” Kelley said. “And I think the need is there.”
The Kiwanis Club of Plano was founded in 1970, and supports fundraisers and other initiatives for kids in need, according to its website. For more information about the club, go to www.kiwanisplano.org.
