Adinvita School of Design Thinking is planning a Permian Basin Storyland Book Parade and the first Annual Family Literacy Day Saturday at 619 N. Grant Ave.
The book parade, which will feature characters from children’s books, kicks the day from 9 a.m. to 10 a.m. The procession will run from fourth to Eighth Street on Lee Avenue. There is a $10 fee to participate and all proceeds will go to Adinvita.
Family Literacy Day, which runs from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., will include a visit and books from author Amy Fellner Dominy, local market, food trucks, a book fair, games and music. Pete the Cat will be on hand, as well.
Linda Subia, who co-founded the school with Amanda Ramirez, said the idea came about through the Education Partnership of the Permian Basin. Ways of building literacy have been discussed during the meetings.
Subia plans to dress up as Mary Poppins and Ramirez as Pippi Longstocking.
Subia said they started thinking of ways to spark literacy in Odessa. They talked about the Scholastic Book Fair, which many schools host, and thought it would be cool to bring the fair to the community.
Scholastic Fairs have a theme and this year’s is Dino Mite.
“I remember when I was a kid I used to always love buying books from the book fair,” Subia said.
Subia said Dominy is excited about visiting Odessa because of Friday Night Lights. Dominy will present a keynote address and a storytelling lesson, have lunch with the children and sign books.
There will also be a science, technology, engineering and math, or STEM, area where a short STEM activity will take place.
“We really want to start off well. That way we can grow this into a bigger event next year,” Ramirez said.
Subia added that the event has purpose.
“That’s our mission and vision — to create something purposeful in the community and not just to have something because we want to fundraise …,” Subia said. “We want families to come and have fun together.”
Adinvita students will have game booths.
Subia noted that many community groups and entities, like the Junior League of Odessa, University of Texas Permian Basin, First 5, the City of Odessa, parents and many others are helping out.
“We’re really excited,” Subia said. “… I think this is going to be really fun for the community …”
