VIRGINIA BEACH, Va. (WAVY) – A young girl in Virginia Beach has a unique way to get kids in her school interested in spending more time, with a good book, in the library.
Sienna Brevik is 10 years old. She goes to North Landing Elementary School. Brevik loves to sew. She uses those skills to create little stuffed animals called “Reading Buddies.”
“In third grade, my teacher, Mrs. Mannie, and I came up with the idea of putting them in the library. So, I went to the library and asked if we could do it, and she said it was a great idea,” said Brevik.
The stuffed animals include a sloth, donut, a Pop Tart, and more.
“My mom taught me how to sew, and I liked it a lot. So, I started by getting these (sewing) kits for making them.”
Now that she is in 4th grade, Brevik said Reading Buddies has really grown. She said students come into the library and sign out a Reading Buddy. The student can carry it with them while they choose a book. Then, they can sit with the stuffed animal Sienna made and read while cuddling the Reading Buddy. Before they leave the library, students must return the Reading Buddy, but Brevik said the kids sometimes try to fix the system.
“Sometimes when the students have favorites, they have to hide them in the back so they can have that one for next time.”
Spokesperson for the School District, Nicole Livas, told WAVY.com the pandemic widened reading gaps nationwide. She said this is a good example of using creativity to keep students engaged and interested in learning.
Brevik said it makes her happy to see her schoolmates excited to read while holding on to something she created.
“I like seeing their smiles and seeing them cuddle with them.”
Brevik said she plans to make more Reading Buddies, but she has to buy more of the sewing kits first.
If you know of a local child doing something unique to make a positive change in the community, WAVY-TV 10 Anchor Katie Collett wants to hear from you. Email her at: katie.collett@wavy.com