Book store partners with health center to promote reading

NORTH COUNTY — Barnes & Noble Booksellers will support the North County Health Services, or NCHS, “Reach Out and Read” program at a voucher book fair from 9 a.m. to 11 p.m. Dec. 9, at the Oceanside Store, at 2165 Vista Way. When customers present a voucher at the cash registers at times of purchase, a percentage of the net sales will be donated to NCHS. Vouchers are available at all NCHS health centers, or by calling Michelle Davis, community development coordinator, at (760) 736-8705.
Well-known local authors will be at the store to personally autograph their books throughout the day. Children’s authors Gretchen Wendel, Janell Cannon, Kathleen Krull, Paul Brewer, Shelley Moor Thomas and teen author Jennifer Kogler will share their stories with young guests in the reading circle. In addition, Jay Whitney, Saundra Pelletier and Susan Vreeland will be highlighted. To determine specific appearance times for each, call the Oceanside Store at (760) 529-0106.
NCHS pediatricians participate in the American Pediatric Association “Reach Out and Read” program and “prescribe” books at well child visits to encourage parents to read to their children and children to learn to enjoy reading. Many of these children have never owned a new book of their own, and their eyes light up when they get to choose one.
NCHS is a private not-for-profit organization that operates 11 health centers in Carlsbad, Encinitas, Oceanside, Ramona and San Marcos, and a mobile clinic. NCHS serves more than 60,000 patients annually.