Copyright © 2003 NLThomas
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KENWOOD, OK - The Castle in Kenwood cannot be found by the bluffs or near the ballpark. It is hidden in the library at the Cherokee Nation Head Start center.

The library has been turned into the “Land of Reading,” complete with a castle, fire-breathing dragon, a princess and the skyline. Missing from the skyline are clouds. However, a cloud is added to the sky each time a child finishes reading a book.

“The children enjoy seeing their names up there,” said Dora Jennings, lead teacher at Kenwood. “The boys love the dragon, and the girls like dressing up like the princess in dramatic play.”

The designer and creator of the “Land of Reading” is Norma O’Field, cook at the Kenwood Head Start center.

“With all the books we receive from RIF (Reading Is Fundamental) Inc., we needed something to encourage the children to do more reading,” O’Field said. “With something like the ‘Land of Reading,’ I thought it would get the children involved with reading, and it seems to be working.”

There are 36 clouds currently on the “Land of Reading.” The children are encouraged to keep reading books to keep the clouds coming.

Mike Miller, Cherokee Nation Director of Communications Phone: 918-456-0671 (ext.2210) Fax: 918-458-5580 E-mail: Communications@cherokee.org Larry Daugherty, Advertising Manager Cherokee Nation - Public Affairs Phone 918-456-0671 (Ex.2324) E-mail: ldaugherty@cherokee.org

Bradley D. Peak, Cherokee Nation Natural Resources Specialist Phone: 918-456-0671 (ex.2843) E-mail: bpeak@cherokee.org Cherokee Nation, Oklahoma Attn: (Department Name) P.O. Box 948, Tahlequah, OK 74465 Telephone: 918-456-0671 (Toll Free OK) 1-800-256-0671