By Amara N. Beaty, Voice and Viewpoint Staff Writer
Last Saturday, April 29th, Balboa Park’s Organ Pavilion hosted the 39th Annual Children’s Book Party yet another year! Reading is important and has the power to change the course of one’s life forever. For nearly forty years, that’s the sentiment that drove Mr. Roosevelt Brown, Program Director of the Children’s Book Party and founder of Reading Literacy Learning, Inc., to continue his annual book drive in the San Diego community.
Beginning in the backyard of his Emerald Hills home, Mr. Brown’s “pickup truck” load of books has grown into a tremendous collection of books that have come home with groves of San Diego children for generations. This overcast Saturday morning was no different, with hundreds of children and their families in attendance awaiting their turn to bring home two free books.
“I used to come here with my oldest when they were little,” commented one of the attendees. “Now I’m back with my other babies years later! It’s definitely a full-circle moment.”
Mr. Brown, who will be 80 years old this year, started the Children’s Book Party because he grew up with a speech impediment that kept him fearful of being called on in class to read. That fear kept him away from the world of reading.
“I spent all my life in elementary school and high school in fear. I missed out on a lot of social events and I missed out on a lot of learning. I didn’t want that to happen to any other kid,” Mr. Brown shared.
That fear, though, was clearly a blessing in disguise as it inspired the charitable event that has changed lives and brought joy to many.
It’s evident that the hundreds of children who were in attendance appreciated the selflessness of Mr. Roosevelt Brown’s act, as smiling children anxiously looked for and found their coupled books.
“My book came with a magnifying glass! I can’t wait to go home and read it!” an elementary-aged child anxiously shared, excited to show off his new book.
The day was lead by performances from the Visionary Dance Theatre and Ballet Folklorico en Aztlan. Roosevelt’s son, JaMarr Brown, MC’d the Party as well. After the day’s events, the children were able to grab their books and some light refreshments.
