PROGRAM TURNS KIDS ON TO BOOKS.

Byline: Cyndie Claypool de Neve The North County Times

Warren Grant, a 72-year-old grandfather of four, looks forward to Friday afternoons.

So do the third- and fifth-graders at Alvin Dunn Elementary School in San Marcos.

Grant volunteers weekly to read to the classes under the statewide Rolling Readers program created by Escondido resident Robert Condon.

On a recent Friday, Grant entered Jennifer Blakeborough's class to a chorus of cheers from her 25 students. He read the Russian folk tale ``The Mitten.''

Two girls peered over Grant's shoulder to glimpse the colorful pictures.

``He's a grandpa figure to them,'' Blakeborough said.

Grant doesn't just read; sometimes he sings. He'll do whatever is needed to bring the story to life. He discusses what's being read and shares his life experiences. He once made potato latkes for a class of fifth-graders.

But he is most acclaimed for the books he gives out on behalf of Rolling Readers.

``What's really exciting for the students is that three times a year he reads off each name, shakes their hand and gives them a book,'' Blakeborough said.

Condon said giving away books is key to the program's success.

Six years ago, the former car-leasing executive discovered that reading to his young sons increased their attention spans as well as their vocabulary.

``It was such a great experience and had such a positive effect on them,'' Condon said. ``I thought maybe I'd read to other kids.''

Soon, he had recruited 10 volunteers to spend an hour a week reading to 400 economically disadvantaged children.

``The students loved it,'' he said. ``I loved it. The teachers loved it.''

Today, Rolling Readers is the largest nonprofit children's literacy organization in California, involving 5,000 volunteers and 80,000 children.

Volunteers read at schools, homeless shelters, Head Start classes, public housing sites, Boys & Girls Clubs and after-school programs.

``I think it shows these kids it's not a sissy thing,'' Grant said. ``I try to make it interesting for them.''

In September 1995, Condon started a tutoring segment of the county's Rolling Readers program.

While the focus is still on reading, instead of targeting economically disadvantaged students, volunteer tutors work one-on-one with first- through third-graders in the bottom 40 percent of reading ability.

Condon's goal is to have 10,000 tutors in San Diego County. Right now, there are 3,000.

``We've been very, very impressed by the program,'' said Nancy Cunningham, principal of Paul Ecke Central/Pacific View elementary schools. ``It's been so positive from the beginning. It builds student confidence. It builds a joy of reading, and it builds a connection with a person coming in just for them.''

As Grant closed his second book of the day, the children moaned. They didn't realize he had overstayed his allotted half-hour.

``When I leave the class, I get hugs all around,'' Grant said. ``It's quite a heart-warmer.''

CAPTION(S):

Photo

Photo: Rolling Readers literacy program volunteer Warren Grant, 72, reads to students at Alvin Dunn Elementary School in San Diego County. The grandfather of four is one of 5,000 adults who donates his time to help some 80,000 California children develop an appreciation for reading.

Associated Press