Dennis Yang: Literacy for All Children

Dennis Yang: Literacy for All Children

A couple of months ago one of my dear friends called me to say I just needed to meet this man who was running the perimeter of the United States to promote literacy. I was able to meet Dennis Yang and immediately felt his passion for promoting literacy for all children, everywhere.

Dennis Yang: Literacy for All Children

I’ve shared so many literacy activities with you all – including games, alphabet activities, and name recognition ideas. I’ve shared how we include literacy in all areas of our classroom. So, to have the opportunity to meet a man that spends well over a year running around the United States so he can read to children in hospitals, orphanages, and schools? And not only reads to them, but gives them books he has written? For free? Yes, I just had to meet Dennis Yang.

Dennis Yang: Literacy for All Children

The first thing I did, when I learned about Dennis, was to check out his website. This is when I realized that Dennis has written many books for children. (You can find those books here.) Some of these books are the ones he read to the children during his run around America. When Dennis said he would love to meet my preschoolers as he ran through Portland, I was elated.

Dennis chose to read Where did the Floozie Go?

“I’m dedicating this book to the kids out there who care about our planet.

You are the key to making our world beautiful.”

– Papa Didos (Dennis Yang)

We listened as Chuck tries to find his loved ones, who have disappeared. His friend, Ginger, helps him search.

“They looked left then right

for anything in sight.

They searched high and low.

They ran fast then slow.”

It turns out that Chuck’s loved ones vanished without a trace because the planet made them sick.

The message our preschoolers got from this book is that we must take good care of our planet.

“It’s not just about us, it’s about the land.”

“Kids will teach their parents how to behave.

They will stand up and be brave.”

I love the message this book sent to our children, our future. We will definitely revisit it during our earth day theme!

Let me tell you something else about Dennis Yang. He is one of the most genuine, caring people you will meet. Before Dennis visited our preschool, we told our parents about his books. They placed orders and Dennis brought the books when he read to us.

After hearing the story, it was time for us to have some large motor time in the gym. Dennis went out to his truck to get the books the parents ordered, and he wrote messages in each one.

And then Dennis handed me several of his books for free, that we could add to our classroom library, including “Where did the Floufooze Go?”.

We said our good-byes to Dennis and he continued south to complete his around-the-country journey.

As I finish writing this, I see that Dennis is in Malibu. So very close to ending his  journey. I am just amazed. Amazed how one man set out to run thousands of miles so he could share his message and inspiration to children. What an adventure he had, reaching out to so many children!

Thank you, Dennis, for caring so much about the children in our country. I cannot wait to see what your next adventure is!

Our favorite literacy activities:

A bit more about Dennis Yang

Dennis’ first running-for-literacy project involved running across America from Long Beach to Coney Island. A few years later, he decided to run the perimeter of the country. He ran about a marathon a day. (I am just blown away by that!) He says it’s not about how far he’s run, but about how many lives he’s touched. Along his journey, Dennis stopped by children’s hospitals, orphanages, and public schools to give away books he has written. These books are written under the name Papa Didos.  Dennis shares his love of reading, living healthy, and setting goals. He tells children “never stop believing you can make a difference”. What a wonderful message!