Bear Branch Elementary librarian Heather Cowham recently launched the Adopt A Bear literacy program with the help of Wildwood United Methodist Church. The program includes many aspects to improve childhood literacy for kindergarten students. 

The program is based on handmade bears, created by a group of ladies from Wildwood, that students picked out and are able to keep as their reading buddies. Students also named their bears and received a certificate and a reading log. Guest reader Jessica McMullen visited and read the story, "Bears Make the Best Reading Buddies" to kick off the program earlier this month. The students are encouraged to read with their buddies for 30 minutes a week to grow their skills and have the opportunity for some fun incentives.