Arkansas education movement employs comics for children's reading
The Jonesboro Sun (archive link) tells about how Imagine Arkansas Inc. is making use of comics for children's reading education:
Brandon Jones has turned his love of comics books into a mission to help children read.Provided that the examples they offer to children are age-suitable, that's what can make this work. That's why it's highly appreciable when education movements like these supply comics for children to read, and develop their reading skills with.
Jones, owner of Bonesy Jonesy’s Comics and Collectibles, is also the founder and president of Imagine Arkansas Inc., a nonprofit dedicated to boosting literacy through comic books and pop culture items.
He said the donation drive started with local teachers.
“Teachers would come in asking for comic books to help their kids read,” Jones said. “Literacy is 100 percent our mission. A lot of kids pick up a comic book, get comfortable and then feel confident to read other things.”
Jones said comics can be helpful for students on the autism spectrum or for those who struggle to connect with traditional chapter books. The visual storytelling and panel layouts allow readers to develop comprehension skills while engaging with something fun. [...]
The nonprofit has already made its mark locally.
Jones, Rook and volunteers delivered backpacks filled with comics like “Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles” to nearby schools, particularly to schools affected by recent tornadoes and other Northeast Arkansas communities.
Jones said this is only the beginning.
“I want to make this an annual thing across the state,” he said. “We want to reach the places that might be overlooked, the communities with lower literacy rates and just get kids excited about reading.”
The nonprofit is looking to expand its reach beyond Jonesboro. Jones said he hopes to eventually establish donation centers in every county in Arkansas and work with other comic shops so more communities can participate.
