Fran Coker is hard at work on the latest of the series of 12 children’s books she is creating for Mayor John Peyton’s “Book Club” — a key element of the literacy program that the mayor and the Jacksonville Children’s Commission have initiated.
A lifelong resident of Jacksonville, with deep family roots here, Coker had previously written books for her grandchildren and for the Head Start learning program, “Little Angels” when she was asked to write a one-a-month set of books. These books are aimed at the 13,000 children in Duval County who will start kindergarten in September 2005 and are eligible for the Book Club.
At present, approximately 8000 children have signed up and begun reading the first two books in the series.
Research shows that four (prekindergarten) is a prime age to expose children to a shared reading experience — to instill in them a positive attitude toward their capacity for learning and the joy of reading.
Coker’s books are all about the fun of reading, especially in a family setting. They are also all about Jacksonville and the many interesting resources that are present here. In the first book, “I Can Read” the multiple bridges that span the St. John’s River are featured; the second book is all about the zoo and is entitled, “We’re Going To The Jacksonville Zoo.” Each book contains messages of how much fun it is to read and also includes two family activities: a song set to a popular tune and a recipe to try at home.
Coker says she is thrilled and blessed to be part of this project, “I have always told stories to my children and to my grandchildren. If these books and this wonderful project can do one thing, I hope it gives children the sense that they can read and learn and that reading is full of joy and wonder. I truly believe that what we tell children, they will believe. If we tell them they are smart, they will be smart.”
This project is fully a family affair for Coker. Her daughter, Dr. Kelly Coker Daniel, herself an educator, has written several of the parent guides that accompany the books. Her grandchildren Olivia, Madeline and Coleman are characters in the books. Coker also has the support of her husband, Howard Coker, who is a trial attorney and a senior partner in the firm of Coker, Myers, Schickel, Sorenson and Green.
She gave Howard’s persona to the character of the “grandpa” throughout the series of books.
On Saturday from 10 a.m. to 1p.m., children eligible for the program will have another opportunity to sign up for the Book Club at three libraries, including San Marco, Graham and Mandarin.
For information on the book club and the literacy program or for the library event Saturday, call the Jacksonville Children’s Commission at 630-3647 or visit www.jaxkids.org.