Words with Wings

What it means for Cook Children's medical center

Cook Children’s Medical Center has a terrific literacy program that focuses on reading to patients. Due to COVID-19, the children no longer have volunteers coming to their rooms to read books. Instead, they are asking volunteers to video themselves reading a book and send the clip to Marie Howell, Manager for Volunteer Services at Cook Children's.

The purpose of the Virtual Story Time Reader Volunteer is to provide distraction and entertainment through

readings that are broadcast to inpatient rooms via the internal station in the evenings

All you need to participate is:

A love of reading to others
A video camera or mobile phone
A book with large, clear pictures (nothing faith-based, too scary, etc.)
A quiet place in your home where you can read aloud without being interrupted or having distractions in the background. (Pets are okay)

Need more info?

Questions? Need additional info? Contact Shannon Luce (shannon.luce@yahoo.com or 505.350.0445), Southlake Area Alumnae Club Philanthropy Committee.

Print this info

Step-by-step

Step-by-Step video instructions

Introduce yourself. "Hi! My name is (your first name). I'm a Cook Children's volunteer and I'd like to ready you a story. The title of the book is _______, written by ____________, illustrated by _________. Let's get started!"
Read your book, with enthusiasm and clarity.
Finishing up: "Thank you for listening to (title of story). I hope you liked it. I had fun reading it to you."
Watch your video to be sure the book is visible to the patients, that you have spoken loudly and clearly enough for them to hear the story, and that there were no unexpected distractions behind you; pets are okay distractions.
Email your video to marie.howell@cookchildrens.org and copy southlakeareapiphi@gmail.com. The file will be large, so you may need to use iCloud or Google drive to send it.
Keep track of the time you spend setting up, practicing, and reading to our patients. Email your volunteer time to marie.howell@cookchildrens.org and copy southlakeareapiphi@gmail.com.

Please take a selfie or have someone take your photo with your book and send to southlakeareapiphi@gmail.com We will upload clips and pictures across our social

media platforms.

Helpful Tips

helpful tips

Helpful tips:

1. Practice reading the story aloud a few times before you create the video. It does not have to be perfect, but you should simply show familiarity with the story.

2. Make sure your camera is positioned horizontally.

3. If someone else is recording you, make sure they rest their arm on a stable surface so the camera does not wobble.

4. If you are comfortable doing so, you are welcome to use voices for the characters.

5. Make sure to show the book cover and pictures to the camera.