With these funds I will buy several complete sets of the Mo Willems Elephant and Piggie series.  These books are for beginning readers, and I have seen first hand how they inspire kids who are just beginning to read to push themselves.  My students are already familiar with the series because I read them aloud.  They love the books because they are hilarious.  I cannot keep them on the shelves.  I would like to put these books not only in the library, but in teachers' classrooms so that more students have access to them.  My students deserve these books because they are resources that allow me as an instructor to give them the best chance to increase literacy skills.  I've seen students who have been so excited to check out these books, read them, and pass Accelerated Reader quizzes on them.  It makes the children so happy.  I've seen students who did not enjoy reading (because it was hard) take one of these books and push themselves to learn the challenging words.  They are so in love with the characters and the content, they aren't focusing on the fact that it is challenging. 

These books range from $6 to $9 each on Amazon Prime.  I will buy as many as I can get for $300.

http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_sb_noss_2?url=search-alias%3Daps&field-keywords=Elephant+and+piggie+&rh=i%3Aaps%2Ck%3AElephant+and+piggie+

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