The Literacy Hero Award honors area residents who love books and reading and make a special effort to share that love with young children. In 1997, Brattleboro pediatrician Robert Nassau became the first recipient of the award for prescribing family reading and giving children books during their well child visits. Other recognized heroes and heroines in ensuing years include John Spicer, Raymond Massucco, Susan Slowinski, Laura Lawson Tucker, Henry Tewksbury, Jane Moore and Winifred Vogt.

Brattleboro teacher Flo Nestor is our Local Literacy Heroine for 2008. Flo runs the Brattleboro Education Enrichment Program and she works with children in all three local elementary schools. A highly motivated, talented and child-centered teacher with tremendous enthusiasm for books, reading and writing, Flo has created several inspiring literary projects, and she devotes countless hours, above and beyond her paid position, to the children who are involved in them.

Her BEEP Literary Club is a group of students who read soon-to-be-released books in galley form and write reviews for monthly publication in the Brattleboro Reformer. The Maple Leaf Writer’s Project gives all interested students the opportunity to write a book of their own, guided by the local children's book authors who mentor them. Each year Flo also produces two multischool plays based on children’s literature. Excellent acting and her wonderful costumes and scenery make these productions a delight. Thank you, Flo, for giving so much to Brattleboro's children!

Please note: Letters of nomination for next year's award can be mailed to us at PO Box 2276, W. Brattleboro, VT 05303, or submitted via email to wcreads@sover.net.