Teen Donates Children’s Books to Molokai Head Start Keiki

MEO News Release

A West Virginia high school senior reached across the mainland and the Pacific to Kaunakakai to hand 20 Maui Economic Opportunity (MEO) Head Start children the classic book “If You Give a Mouse A Cookie” on Wednesday, Sept. 28.

The books were given to all 20 students in the Head Start program by Rania Zuri of Morgantown and her Fifty Nifty Head Start book donation project, part of the LiTEArary Society, her nonprofit whose mission is to end book deserts for children in Head Start programs nationwide.

“‘If You Give a Mouse a Cookie’ was one of my very favorite books as a child, and I hope that the Head Start children will enjoy this beloved story as much as I did (and still do!),” said Rania in an email. “I truly believe that certain books can spark a lifelong love of reading and hope to visit Molokai and Maui in the very near future to bring more new books to your Head Start children!”

In selecting the Molokai Head Start site, Rania said she wanted to surprise children in rural and less traveled areas with new books.

“I thought it would be a wonderful way to showcase small Head Start centers and chose Molokai because it is truly such a special place in Hawaii that many people don’t get to visit!” she said.

Rania visited Maui, Oahu and Hawaii Island as a young child and considered flying to Molokai to hand out the books personally but as a senior in high school, she is currently busy completing college applications.

Fifty Nifty Head Start will select Head Start programs in all 50 states and the District of Columbia and hand out new Scholastic books. Rania received the books during an appearance on Good Morning America on July 6.

The show surprised her with a $5,000 gift from the Scholastic Possible Fund at the end of her appearance. Rania and the members of the youth-led nonprofit decided to spread the 700 pounds of books to the “smallest, most rural areas in each state.”

“We were surprised and so grateful for the gift of books,” said MEO Early Childhood Director Debbi Amaral. “Rania is a young woman who understands the joy and importance of reading, especially at a young age, and possesses that altruistic spirit to help people and change lives, just like MEO’s motto.

“What an outstanding example of a young person who cares for others and takes tangible steps to turn her caring into the reality of bettering the lives of others.”

All 20 Molokai children in the program will receive the children’s classic, written by Laura Numeroff and illustrated by Felicia Bond in 1985. Head Start offers preschool at no charge to low income families and works with 3 and 4-year-olds and their families to prepare their children for elementary school.

For more information on Rania’s activities, go to Instagram @liTEArarysociety.