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Reading Great Books and Building Great Character
Providing great books to young readers that are inspiring, educational, and just FUN!
When you see the JAR seal of approval you'll know it's a great book!
Now Collaborating With
VOOKS is an entire library of exciting storybooks brought to life with beautiful animation, read-aloud narration, engaging music and sound, and read-along text. They offer free subscriptions to teachers and homeschool parents! Click below to learn more.
JAR's Mission
Books can open up the world to an inquiring mind. JAR seeks to encourage every child to discover books that capture their imagination and expand their world of knowledge and experience. We want children to passionately embrace the power of reading to transform their lives, to facilitate the development of their gifts and talents, to open new opportunities, to help fulfill their unique potential, to live purposeful dreams.
JAR's Story
JAR is a service organization and a non-profit (501c3) reading incentive program that began with the heart of a teacher and children’s author, Annie Winston, who has a passion for children to embrace the power of reading. After moving to North Idaho, Annie found other like-minded individuals and formed Jazzed About Reading (JAR), a non-profit organization in 2018 whose goal is to serve the communities of Coeur d'Alene, Post Falls, Hayden Idaho, and Spokane Washington. The JAR team has helped to shape the vision and program bringing in additional sponsors and partners.
JAR's Signature Book
JAR's founder, Annie Winston wanted to create a fun and inspiring picture book about a reading challenged penguin who would help young readers understand the value and importance of reading well for greater success in life. Annie was thrilled to partner with Heather Martinez, Spongebob illustrator, to create Ivan Von Penguinsky.
The soon to be published picture book is an amazing and endearing story that will warm children's hearts and help them understand the power and importance of reading.
Annie is an award-winning children's author from Couer d'Alene and she is jazzed about reading. She values community and believes that working together is better to create a difference in the lives of kids and their families.
What We Do
Giving Great Books to Children
Providing great books to schools, libraries, youth prisons, children's group and foster homes and special youth events.
Reading Challenge Program
Our future plans are to visit schools with our penguin mascot, Ivan Von Penguinsky, who will challenge students to embrace reading with passion. Copies of Ivan's story will be distributed to the students who participate in our program. Students who successfully meet our reading challenge will be rewarded with fine arts classes and experiences, i.e., music classes, painting and drawing classes, dance, theater, etc.
Parent and Caregiver Education
Another future goal will be to educate parents and caregivers in developing positive family routines that encourage and promote good reading habits.
How You Can Help
You can make a difference in the life of a child by donating towards the purchase of children’s books. JAR will use the funds to purchase books and deliver them in the CDA, Post Falls, Liberty Lake, and Spokane Valley districts. Eighty percent of your donation will cover book purchases and twenty precent will go toward administration and book delivery costs.
Click the "Donate Today" link below!