Story and Mission
“ Waiting time is reading time !”
Monica Anderson Young and Dr . Dee Dupree Bennett , college sorority sisters , reunited through a shared passion to develop a literacy program for Alabama ’ s youngest citizens . The idea hatched when McRae Young , a new Mobile County Assistant District Attorney ( and Monica ’ s daughter ), noticed how children coming to court lacked materials to occupy themselves as electronic devices are not permitted in Alabama courtrooms .
Years ago , McRae and Monica co-authored a children ’ s book review column together . Drawing upon this background , Monica began developing an idea for an activity booklet and recruited Dr . Dee Dupree Bennett , an education professor at Troy University and former school principal .
The two women created SHORT , a curious squirrel who wants to help children explore their surroundings , starting with the courtrooms of Alabama . Coincidentally , also in 2020 , Governor Kay Ivey signed the Alabama Literacy Act declaring all Alabama children will be reading on or above grade level by third grade . In less than two years , SHORT has become a statewide initiative and named as Alabama ’ s Literacy Mascot by Governor Ivey .
During Mardi Gras , SHORT will be riding in the children ’ s floral parades with reading fairies distributing SHORT Goes to Mardi Gras , set in some of Mobile ’ s favorite places . The accompanying video will be shown across the state on February 22 to celebrate SHORT ’ s second birthday .
SHORT in Court is now in all 67 Alabama counties . Alabama Securities Commission has sponsored SHORT ’ s Money Tree , ideal for banks . SHORT Gets Sick is available for waiting rooms . SHORT Recycles is perfect for teaching about caring for our world .
SHORT hopes to visit Mobilearea schools before and during the Mardi Gras season to support teachers and encourage a passion for reading !
SPOTLIGHT
Monica Anderson Young and Dr . Dee Dupree Bennett with SHORT the Squirrel
Above : Co-founders Monica Anderson Young and Dr . Dee Dupree Bennett travel Alabama with SHORT the Squirrel , headquartered in Daphne , to encourage children to transform “ waiting time into reading time .”
2022 Upcoming Events
TURNS two
Mardi gras reading parade You ’ re invited February 22 , 2022
SHORT Turns Two February 22 , 2022
You ’ re invited to SHORT ’ s second birthday party , a free virtual event to be released on February 22 , 2022 .
Join SHORT as he visits Mobile to celebrate with a Mardi Gras reading birthday parade . Be sure to ollow SHORT on social media for more information about this event .
Right : Students and Principal Hope Belle Payne at Leinkauf Elementary School celebrated SHORT ’ s first birthday party , a virtual reading pep rally .
Contact Us
336-287-3184 www . shortthesquirrel . com Monica Anderson Young and Dr . Dee Dupree Bennett contact @ shortthesquirrel . com Facebook . com / shortthesquirrel Instagram . com / shortthesquirrel /
QR Code To Donate
Youtube . com / channel / UCWdYfGENWPhRP7dMqk5p9yw
Above : 2019 MAMGA King Terrell Patrick and 2019 MCA Queen Ebie Boyd serve as emcees for the SHORT Goes to Mardi Gras video , a free virtual birthday celebration available statewide for emerging readers and their schools .
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