Kids act on library story

Marion Elementary School librarian Lori Kirkpatrick went above and beyond reading a book to second grade students last week during library hour. She reinforced the spirit of the book by creating an activity for them to do.

The historical fiction book, “Boxes for Katje,” is about a little girl, Katje, and her family living in Holland after World War II.

Katje receives a box from a little girl, Rosie, who lives in the United States. The box contains a bar of soap, toothpaste, socks, and chocolate — things Katje’s family hasn’t seen since the war began.

The family shares the gifts, and a friendship is formed.

“To connect ourselves with the story, I thought it would be a great idea if we could give something to our local food bank, similar to what Rosie sent to Katje’s family,” Kirkpatrick said.

The children’s families were encouraged to donate a personal hygiene item such as bar soap, toothpaste, shampoo, or deodorant.

The second graders will deliver the collected items to Marion County Food Bank at 2 p.m. Thursday and will get a tour of the facility.