Queen City Book Bank honors Rosey Reader Legacy Month, Dick Rosenthal

Queen City Book Bank has launched Rosey Reader Legacy Month to honor local philanthropist Richard “Dick” Rosenthal and his commitment to literacy and education.

To pay tribute to Rosenthal, QCBB gave every kindergartner in the program a special bilingual edition of “The Little Engine That Could,” one of his favorite books.

Rosenthal read this iconic story aloud in English and Cincinnati Reds pitcher Fernando Cruz read it in Spanish. QCBB shared recordings of the readings with kindergarten teachers and parents in its New Curated Book Distribution Program, so they could share with their children.

By offering the book in both English and Spanish, children who speak either language can share the story with their families and classmates. The program invites children to read along with Rosenthal and Cruz in the videos.

“‘The Little Engine That Could’ is one of my favorite stories and I was so excited to be able to share it with my students and then have them listen to it in English and Spanish,” said Lisa Teague, a kindergarten teacher at Carson Elementary School in West Price Hill. She noted that a 5-year-old bilingual student in her class told her that she appreciated hearing the story in English and then being able to listen to it in Spanish.

“I really appreciate how QCBB shares such wonderful stories with our students, who benefit greatly from receiving books to have at home,” Teague said.

Rosenthal shared why “The Little Engine That Could” is so important to him: 

“This book personifies what drives me in my life. When there are tough periods, little bumps in the road, I always think of this book and how the little train had to get over a hill and does,” said Rosenthal, who earned recognition as a Great Living Cincinnatian in 2013. The former F&W Publishing Co. owner was honored as Philanthropist of the Year by the Association of Fundraising Professionals in 2016.

“The train was committed to finding a way to overcome obstacles and that is what this book taught me; we need to figure out what motivates us to get over that hill,” Rosenthal continued. “When you do, it is helpful not only to yourselves, but more importantly to others.”

Through its New Curated Book Distribution Program, QCBB offers participating students in first through third grades books that reinforce the lessons celebrated by Rosenthal and the Rosey Reader program. Each year, third graders in the program will also receive special bookmarks during the holidays and certificates at the end of the year, celebrating their completion of QCBB’s program and honoring the Rosey Reader legacy.

“For decades, the Rosey Reader program fostered literacy and encouraged shared family reading time” said Michelle Otten Guenther, CEO of Queen City Book Bank. The recordings of Rosenthal and Cruz are available on the Queen City Book Bank website.

“We are honored to celebrate Mr. Rosenthal and the legacy of the Rosey Reader program in this meaningful way,” Otten Guenther continued. “We are incredibly grateful to him and Fernando Cruz for their generous participation, and for making these stories accessible to more children.”